Meet the Judges of the 2025 Yummie Culinary Competition!

Get ready, foodies! The Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival is back—and so is one of the most anticipated parts of the day: the Yummie Culinary Competition, where local chefs compete for top honors in two delicious categories: Sweet and Savory.

This isn’t just any tasting—this is serious flavor business. Our expert panel of judges will sample the best bites our participating chefs have to offer and crown the winners based on creativity, presentation and, of course, taste. Whether it’s a melt-in-your-mouth main or a dessert that dreams are made of, the competition is fierce and the bragging rights are real!

The Palates Behind the Prize

This year’s judging panel is a dynamic mix of culinary talent educators, and industry pros who know their way around a plate:

• Chef Masa Shimakawa – A master sushi chef hailing from Hokkaido, Japan, Masa Shimakawa brings his refined Tokyo-style sushi to the intimate setting of Soko in Santa Monica, where he emphasizes the quality and sourcing of his fish.
• Chef Jason Collis – A renowned culinary expert and entrepreneur, Chef Jason Collis serves as Chief Relief Officer for World Central Kitchen and is the owner of Plated Events by Chef Jason.
• Chef Alex Montoya  – Alex Montoya, who holds the most wins for the Yummie Culinary Competition. A highly innovative and talented chef, he’s making the move from competitor to judge for this year’s competition. Chef Alex brings his honed approach from Water’s Edge and Honey Cup to his current role as Executive Chef at Nurifo Solutions.
• Chef Abdu Romero – A talented chef with a diverse culinary background, Abdu Romero serves as the Executive Chef at Birnam Wood Golf Club, bringing influences from his global travels.
• Chef Eric Kopelow – A celebrated culinary innovator and leader, Chef Eric Kopelow currently serves as Executive Vice President at Cedarlane Natural Foods, Inc.
• Chef Adam Hart – A dedicated culinary educator and experienced chef, Adam Hart teaches at Ventura County Community College District and leads the culinary program at Oxnard College’s The Bistro, holding multiple degrees and sommelier certification.

Winners in both categories will earn the coveted Yummie Award and an exclusive invitation to the 2026 Top Chef Yummie Dinner – a sister fundraiser to the Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival – where they’ll prepare a signature dish as part of a curated, multi-course meal for Casa Pacifica’s dedicated supporters.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, June 1, 2025, and join us for an unforgettable day of gourmet food, fine wine, craft brews and the culinary competition everyone will be talking about!