Ceviche Throwdown Crowns Ceviche Champions

Above: The judge’s choice for winner of the Ceviche Throwdown went to Juan Chipoco of CVI.CHE 105.

Back in the 1990s, the big trend among foodies was sushi, which taught Americans to shun everything they had learned about the dangers of consuming raw fish.

Today, the trend - at least in Miami - is ceviche, which has expanded our appetite for raw fish down into Latin America.

And yes, I know, sushi is not technically raw fish. That’s sashimi.

But neither is ceviche because it is cooked in lime juice, which pickles the fish in acidity.

But for those of us who grew up in a household where meat wasn’t considered safe unless it was charred with a flame-thrower, both sushi and ceviche are not far removed from swallowing live gold fish, which incidentally didn’t kill anybody during the 1930s when the fad was sweeping college campuses (hey, it was the depression).

Last Sunday, several Miami restaurants participated in the Ceviche Throwdown, which culminated the Miami International Wine Fair and was held to benefit Friends of the Fisherman.

The event was held at Sugarcane in Midtown. Participating chefs included Tim Balloo, Sugarcane; Tim Andriola, Timo; Douglas Rodriguez, Ocean; Juan Chipoco, CVI.CHE105; Phillip Bryant, Norman’s 180; Andrea Curto Randazzo, Water Club;  Louis Padilla, Grill on the Alley; Jonathan Eismann, Fin; Kris Wessel, Red Light Little River; Dena Marino; and Clay Conley.

The judge’s choice went to Chef Juan Chipoco of CVI.CHE 105.  The people’s choice went to Chef Andrea Randazzo of The Water Club.

Check out pictures of the event.

Above: The Judges

Above: The Web City Girls

Above: Chef Jonathan Eismann

Above: Christine Najac of the South Florida Food and Wine Blog.

Above: Rick Garcia and his wife, Ines Hegedus-Garcia

Related Links: Catch a Wine Buzz at the Miami International Wine Fair A Taste of Cuba in South Beach Related Categories: Miami: Food & Restaurant News, Carlos Miller is a featured writer at Miami Beach 411. He also operates Photography is Not a Crime, a blog about photographer rights, New Media and First Amendment issues. See more articles by Carlos Miller. See more articles by Carlos Miller Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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