Meet the Culinary Cast Heating Up the Seacoast Culinary Challenge

Get ready - the heat is on! The Seacoast Culinary Challenge brings together top-tier talent and rising stars for an unforgettable night of high-stakes competition. From seasoned chefs to fresh culinary voices, these are the faces behind the flames.

Competing Chefs

The region's boldest and most creative chefs are stepping into the spotlight - ready to battle it out, dish by dish. They’ll be racing the clock, pushing their limits, and throwing down for the title of Seacoast Culinary Challenge Champion.

Judges

A fierce panel of culinary experts and community icons will be calling the shots. They’ll taste every bite, critique every detail, and make the tough calls that will crown the night’s winner.

Sous Chefs

These sous chefs aren’t just assistants - they’re hungry, talented students from Dover and Portsmouth’s Culinary Arts Programs, handpicked by their program directors for this very moment. They’ll be stepping up under pressure, proving their skills alongside some of the Seacoast’s best.

This is more than just an event - it’s a showdown. Who will rise to the top? Who will crack under pressure? One thing’s for sure - you won’t want to miss a second.

Culinary Arts Programs

Dover High School

The Dover High School Culinary Arts Program, part of the Dover Regional Career Technical Center, offers students an immersive journey into the world of food service. Under the guidance of Chef Ashley Mota, students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment, exploring areas such as sanitation, knife skills, cooking techniques, baking, food presentation, and dining room procedures. The program emphasizes both foundational skills and advanced culinary techniques, preparing students for diverse opportunities in the culinary field.

Portsmouth High School

At Portsmouth High School, the Culinary Arts Program is a comprehensive two-year course designed to equip students for careers in the Seacoast's vibrant restaurant and hospitality industry or to further their education in culinary arts and related fields. Led by Chef Anthony Pino, the program offers up to nine college credits through an Early College Partnership with Lakes Region Community College.