In recognition of the growing interest in sustainable seafood, cooking shows and competitions, as well as the emphasis on skills-based programs for teens, Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) has invited two teen chefs to compete in a locally sourced seafood cookoff in front of a live audience.
The event will be 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at SBMM, 113 Harbor Way at the Santa Barbara Harbor. Cost to attend is $10 adults; $5 students; free for children 12 and under. Prepaid registration is required at sbmm.org or 805-456-8747.
Both chefs, Carson Peterson and Rogers Mathews, Jr., are 14 years old and have competed on Top Chef Junior. They both started cooking at a young age and were influenced by their extended families, heritage, and travels. They share a passion for cooking and hope to inspire others to follow their dreams, too.
Peterson is a professional chef known for his take on classic French cuisine. He appeared on Top Chef Junior Season 2, was featured on the Today Show, competed in the 2019 Strawberry Smack Down and judged the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food and Brew Festival.
He was also the youngest chef to judge at the 2018 World Championship of Guacamole. He has been featured in such publications as Entertainment Weekly, New York Times, Ventura Star, Ventura Reporter, and the Ventura Breeze.
His signature dishes include Poisson en Papillote, Coq Au Vin and Croquembouche.
Mathews, Jr. is known for making it all the way to the semi-finals and taking third place in this season’s Top Chef Junior competition. His passion for cooking started at a young age, cooking with his parents. He has a love for classic French and Asian cuisine, with its complex processes and delicate flavors.
He enjoys cooking for family and friends and loves how food brings everyone together. Rogers gains cooking inspiration from his heritage and family travels. Outside of the kitchen, his interests are martial arts and visual and performing arts.
The judges are: Bonnie Carroll, founder and editor-in-chief, Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News; Emily Cosentino, marketing and promotions manager, Santa Barbara Independent; Jake Hagen, assistant pastry chef, Newhall Refinery (also the event emcee); Krista Harris, editor/co-publisher, Edible Magazine; Chef Kayla Norton, pastry chef, Old Town Junction, Newhall; Chef Daniel Palaima, Tyger Tyger.
Visit sbmm.org or call 805-962-8404 for details.
Title sponsor is Marie Morrisroe with additional support from Get Hooked and TV Santa Barbara.
— Rita Serotkin for Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.