Judges

Kristen Becker
Comedienne
Kristen Becker started her comedy career in Toronto 8 years ago, and since then has traveled the continent performing and producing shows.  She has opened for national acts such as Doug Stanhope, Josh Blue (Winner of Last Comic Standing), and Ani DiFranco.  Additionally, Kristen beat out 60 contestants (all men) to win the 2006 Queen City Comedy Competition.  Becker was recently named “One of America’s Funniest Lesbians” by CURVE Magazine, in a tie for #8 with Lily Tomlin.  Locally, Becker has been producing/hosting the Doin’ Time Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at Nietzsche’s every Tuesday in Buffalo for the last 4 years.

Alan Bedenko
Writer and Blogger
Alan Bedenko is a local lawyer who also pens the popular Buffalopundit blog at WNYMedia.net.  Originally from downstate New York, Alan moved with his family from Boston to Buffalo in 2001 for a better standard of living.  In 2004, his love of good dining and opinionated writing led to an ongoing gig contributing restaurant reviews to the Buffalo Spree.
Alan lives in Clarence Center with his wife Maryl, a native WNYer, and his two daughters, Mia (favorite meal: mac ‘n cheese) and Madeleine (favorite meal: chicken in finger form).

John Bourdage
Host, Wine, Wit and Wisdom
John Bourdage is a 1984 graduate of the internationally renowned Ivor Spencer School for Butler Administration and Personal Assistants in London, a Five Star Diamond award winning school. He founded Bourdage Consulting in 1988 and began his career by teaching businessmen to become more skilled at business etiquette, networking, and projecting a professional image in formal and informal settings. Today John works with a multitude of businesses and schools conducting training and seminars in world class social skills, service and hospitality management. John conducts seminars on wine tasting and food and wine pairing at local wineries, schools of hospitality and a variety of businesses. John also hosts the show Wine, Wit and Wisdom, shown on LCTV.

Kate Elliott
Executive Chef/Owner, Juniper–Buffalo, NY
Co-owner and Executive Chef of Buffalo’s newest restaurant, juniper, Chef Kate Elliott has been an integral part of the Buffalo dining scene for fifteen years. Working her way through the kitchens of the city’s restaurants, Elliott developed her style with no formal culinary training. Focusing on fresh and local food, Elliott deconstructs common components and creates new and exciting dishes. Elliott’s food philosophy celebrates the warmth and atmosphere of sitting around the table amongst friends. “Come to juniper,” says Elliott, “throw your head back and laugh, and enjoy a holiday in your mouth. And do not forget to eat with your hands.” Chef Elliott is also a winner from Nickel City Chef Season One.

Ivy Knight
Food Writer, Kitchen Crew, Drake Hotel–Toronto, ON
When not working on the grill station at Toronto’s Drake Hotel or hosting 86′d Mondays – a night for the city’s food and wine industry players, Ivy Knight writes about the food scene for various publications, among them the Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, City Bites, the Toronto Star and www.egullet.org. In her 4 years as a freelance writer she’s interviewed some of the world’s greatest chefs, including Jacques Pepin, Vikram Vij, Michel Roux, Jeff Crump, Lynn Crawford and Michael Smith as well as food personalities Ruth Reichl, Kevin Brauch and Trish Magwood.

Kevin LoVullo
Radio Host, Spiel the Wine
Kevin LoVullo, a Buffalo-born entrepreneur and host of Spiel The Wine radio program is heard locally every Sunday at 6 p.m. on WWKB-1520AM and simulcast live at SpieltheWine.com. His passion for wine is derived from its romance and culture and, coupled with his thirst for sharing his knowledge and insight, allows him to offer a truly unique program for both wine buff and novice alike. Kevin interviews the biggest names in the industry including world-renowned wine makers, sommeliers and enthusiasts in an educational, engaging and entertaining style. In just its first few weeks on the air, Spiel The Wine’s has already achieved international acclaim.

Mary Luz Mejia
Food Writer, Food TV Producer/Director and Communications Professional–Toronto, ON
Colombian-born, Canadian raised food enthusiast, writer (journalist by training),food event curator, intrepid traveler and food TV producer/director begins to cover it. Mary Luz Mejia is a self-professed cookbook nerd who has penned hundreds of food and travel articles, culinary profiles, food celebrity interviews and cultural explorations into the foods we eat and why we love them. You can read her work in enRoute, Toronto Life, Canadian Living.com, Edible Toronto and goodfoodrev.com  to name a few. Her TV work (broadcast everywhere from the Food Network Canada to W Network) is Gemini-nominated. She’s even been called “one of Toronto’s most dedicated and passionate food journalists” by Saveur Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief James Oseland.

Brian Mietus
Executive Chef/Managing Partner, Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant–Buffalo, NY
Brian Mietus first cooked in the kitchen of his mother’s hot dog stand (Curt’s Stop In). After attending the New England Culinary Institute he interned on Nantucket before moving to Vail which eventually led to the role of Chef de Cuisine. While there he had the privilege of preparing a James Beard dinner and being featured in Wine Spectator. In 2001, Mietus returned to Buffalo where he found himself at the venerable Oliver’s. He was the first Oliver’s chef to receive a 4-star review from The Buffalo News. After a stint in the kitchens of Tempo under Chef Paul Jenkins, in 2005 Mietus assumed the role of Executive Chef at Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant where, two years alter, he was made a partner. Chef Mietus is also a winner from Nickel City Chef Season One.

Kevin Purdy
Writer

Buffalo Spree Magazine
Kevin Purdy is a Senior Editor at Lifehacker.com, a Gawker Media blog focused on technology and productivity, where he slips in the occasional food-focused post. He’s contributed restaurant reviews and features to Buffalo Spree, the Buffalo News, and was a feature writer at the Greater Niagara Newspapers, where he also snuck in too many food articles. Purdy lives in Buffalo, but grew up the son of a self-described fishmonger in Baldwinsville, NY.

Don Salamone
Executive Chef, Johnny Brenda’s Tavern–Philadelphia, PA
Don’s ever-evolving career has taken him from private clubs in his native Western New York to the cities though of as foodie paradise. After graduating from Western Culinary Institute in Portland, OR, Don thrived in the Las Vegas kitchens of Bradley Ogden and Guy Savoy.  Craving the East Coast, he accepted the position of Chef Tournant at Gordon Ramsay in New York City while staging at Blue Hill, Picholine, Momofuku and Jean-Georges, and finally working for “Chef of the Century” Joel Robuchon. Don’s unique style is now found in each forkful of braised beef tongue and stuffed pigs’ trotters at Philadelphia “gastro-dive” Johnny Brenda’s Tavern.

Nelson Starr
Musician and Host, All Access Pass
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame-er and rocker Nelson Starr is best known as one of Buffalo’s most influential musicians, composers, and producers.  Recently, Nelson has turned his keen acumen toward the culinary world.  Bringing celebrity chef and Travel Channel star Anthony Bourdain to Buffalo and spawning his own hit food show, All Access Pass with Nelson Starr (www.truebluebuffalo.com), Nelson has dedicated himself to highlighting the region’s often overlooked food finds.  From pub grub to haute cuisine, Nelson is game to explore anything “that rocks” - with his signature sarcasm and egalitarian ethos.

Lisa Tucker
Publisher, Edible Buffalo
As Publisher and Editor of Edible Buffalo magazine and co-founder of the non-profit organization Field & Fork Network, Lisa Tucker is well-versed in the local food movement and its growth here in Western New York. Lisa sits on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Avenue Project, an organization dedicated to youth development through urban agriculture and food-based micro-enterprise. Lisa was honored in 2009 by the Erie Niagara County Nutrition Committee for her leadership in promoting sound food and nutrition practices. A homegrown native of Western New York, Lisa is proud to celebrate our region’s rich agricultural and culinary history.