Last year, when I judged the inaugural year of World Food Championships, I left Vegas with food memories. It was unbelievable to me… I hold those memories in a special place, like Rendezvous BBQ, French Laundry, and Daniel, well maybe the BBQ can come out as a favorite memory, but certainly delicious. These are meals worthy of remembering. These are “experiences in food” that happen and change the way you feel about those food items, in a good way. It’s something you share with friends, it’s your food story of the month, you know where I’m going with this, and it’s the “oh my, you should try the….”

And then it happened…it became legitimate. This really was the World Food Championships.

I tried potato salad that was built like a Cobb salad, a ridiculous burger that had candied bacon, burnt ends that I didn’t even know were burnt, and chili that gives me chills. The over-all competition had so many moving pieces it was hard to focus, I mean seriously, it left my head spinning and my palate fatigued.

The difference I found in the WFC from other Championships all around the country was that it had instant creds. The talent was deep; I was judging BBQ with freaking Myron Mixon, and sharing a burger with Adam Richman and Tim Love. But it was the common thread for this competition that held the whole thing together for me: the competitors were friggin legit. I tasted some of the best, most creative, and perfectly executed dishes while in Vegas last year.  I realize everyone didn’t win, and this year we will crown just one Champion again. Truthfully, I think the entries this year will be far superior then last years. Here is why, the folks that battled it out in 2012 are stepping up their game as they know what’s expected and what it takes to win. And the newbies are, well, in for a huge surprise when they enter the playing field at Fremont Street, because the vets that left those lasting food memories for me are coming back for more.

Happy “EAT’in”

BV