Well, Uno Immanivong won it all! 5 rounds of Fork Fight and she emerges victorious. Here’s my recap from tonight’s final round!

It was an utterly epic showdown of the culinary divas as Uno Immanivongs ‘Chino Chinatown‘ took on Sharon Van Meters ‘Beignet Bridge Club’ in the Fork Fight final round. It was an all out battle to the finish to see if 4 time champ Chino Chinatown could trump the 3015 Trinity Groves founder on her own turf. 400 hungry food lovers descended upon a soon to be completed Trinity Groves tonight and we all left winners.

The evening was set to live guitar and the service evolved from unorganized to impeccable as the courses flowed. As both competitors gave their rundown, Chino Chinatown emerged to the tune of ‘Rocky’ and Van Meter admitted her team had been putting together the courses while she was out of town this week. Ian Reilly and Lauren Loiselle teamed with Chino Chinatown partner Adrian Verdin on the cocktails.

Chino Chinatown

47 Ronin: Japanese Whisky, Goji Berry Groseille, Yuzu Juice and Charged Sake topped Collins

Snake Charmer: Deaths Door Gin, Lemongrass-tamarillo syrup and bergamot juice

Punto Branco: Mount Gay 1703, galagal gomme, Temperance Cacao Sagrada with a hand-cut iceball

That Good, The Bad, The Weird: Tequila Cabeza, Aguardiente Quindriano, Pu Her Syrup

Agua Fresca (out of a plastic bag!) – Death’s Door Vodka, Asian Pear, Beets, Ginger, Lime Juice, Agave Nectar

Beignet Bridge Club

Basil Gimlet

As the cocktails set in, the crowds grabbed the appetizer course themselves.

Beignet Bridge Club featured at Truffle Creme, Chive Langue De Chat (cat’s tongue) in an egg over Foie Gras Salt. It was good but the texture of the creme when mixed with the salt could have been a little more cohesive.

Chino Chinatown offered a Yellowtail Hamachi over Coriander  Creme Fraiche, With Grilled Hearts of Palm & Jalapeño Infused Blood Orange. The dish was light and refreshing but at this point it was all tied up.

Second course Beignet Bridge Club was a Summer Salad with Fine Herb Mousse and Citrus Lavender Caviar. To be honest, I expected Van Meter to show off a little here but the salad fell a bit flat for me and the caviar was an unexpected touch. Chino Chinatown presented Immanivongs famous Larb Gai with a cup of Phozole (steeped roasted bone marrow broth with guajillo braised oxtail and tender hominy). Though I wasn’t craving  warm dish, the comforting aspects of a bowl of flavorful soup hit the spot. Chino Chinatown takes round 2.

The main courses arrived soon after. First up, Van Meter with a Rack of Lamb, Potato Puree, Ratatouille, Garlic Chips and Roquefort Beignet. The beignet was delicious and the puree was just right but something seemed to be missing overall that could’ve taken this dish to the next level that Fork Fight is known for. Chino Chinatown plated a Membrillo Glazed Duck Breast & Duck fat fried rice confettied with Chinese Sausage and BBQ Pork Loin. Again, the sides won me over. The rice was just right and the sausage was a treat but I still craved something more from the Duck. Tied again.

As both sides furiously plated their final entries, Janice Provost and April Barney could be seen putting sweet touches on the Beignet bridge Club side. Immanivong had delicious coffee scents emerging from her camp and the room went nuts. Last plates were Chocolat Sioxante, Cocao Nib Beignet, Scented Pipette and Raspberry pearls from Van Meter. Chino dessert dished Warm Cinnamon and Sugar Dusted Hypnotic Doughnut Morsels Filled with Hazelnut Ganache, Salted Caramel Drizzle and Ca Phe de Holla to dip it all in. Both had doughy goodness but at the end of the day, a coffee and doughnuts hypnotic treat stole the show. Congrats to both chefs on a job well done and a major congrats to Chino Chinatown for winning it all!

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