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LAKEPORT – Konocti Vista Casino's Executive Chef Ben Larimer recently took second place in the Iron Chef California.
Larimer was one of eight finalists chosen to take part in the main event from the fifty recipes submitted. He breezed through the first round on Tuesday, March 9, with a pan-seared swordfish served with pineapple ginger puree and roasted cilantro risotto.
On Wednesday, when the final four contestants took to the kitchen, Larimer achieved victory over Ryan Barnett, a corporate chef for Palm, when he produced a Napoleon filet. The Napoleon was prepared with Australian tenderloin layered with seared spinach with a balsamic reduction.
In the final his Yin and Yang Salad, Parpadelli pasta infused with sesame and ginger served with marinated Kobe beef and dressed with a roasted red pepper sesame vinaigrette and cilantro pecan vinaigrette was narrowly defeated by Kristela Nazario of Pyramid Brewery Berkeley.
Larimer, a native of Coweta, Okla., is a self-taught chef who learned his trade under Italian and Mexican chefs and at five-star 5 Diamond properties.
This is not the first time he has enjoyed success in nationally recognized competitions. Next month he will be filming two episodes of “Top Chef” as a guest judge following his win in the Top Chef Tour Quaker Oats Quickfire Challenge. You can view a story about this event at http://quickfire.bravotv.com/quickfire/index.php .
Konocti Vista Casino is very fortunate to have a chef of his quality heading up the team at the Vista Steakhouse and Larimer likes to think they produce “the best steak on the lake.”
“I enjoy the area and the people of Lake County and I really appreciate their hospitality,” he said.
Humble and soft spoken, Larimer is passionate about food and cooking and his dedication to producing quality dishes is unsurpassed.
Watch out for this rising star of the culinary world whose talent and commitment will take him to the top.
