Our History
Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge is a staple of Cultural Tourism DC's Passport DC program, a month-long celebration of Washington DC's diplomatic community, since 2009. The Challenge is a one-of-a-kind event that can only happen in Washington, DC which is home to more than 190 international embassies. DC provides a setting for culinary diplomacy to thrive as a diverse group of highly regarded chefs from around the world prepare an authentic sip and bite from their homeland for attendees to taste.
Experiencing cultural diversity and inclusion has been at the forefront of the Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge since its inception and continues to remain as the core principle that drives decisions on how to enhance programming from year to year.
Below is a list of all the award winners over the years...
2019
Judge's Choice
Chef Javon Cummings
Barbados
People's Choice
Chef Dimitri Lilavois
Haiti
Top Chef Challenge
Pepsi Best Beverage
Chef Francis Otoo
Ghana
Macy’s Best Dressed
Tebabu Assefa
Ethiopia
2018
Judge's Choice
Chef Abigail Sincioco
Philippines
People's Choice
Chef Abigail Sincioco
Philippines
Top Chef Challenge
Pepsi Best Beverage
Philip Antoine
Barbados
Macy’s Best Dressed
Chef Faycal Zahraoui
Morocco
2017
Judge's Choice
Chef Moha Fedal
Morocco
People's Choice
Chef Cynthia Verna
Haiti
Top Chef Challenge
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2016
Judge's Choice
Chef Creig Greenidge
Barbados
People's Choice
Chef Claude Tayag
Philippines
Top Chef Challenge
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2015
Judge's Choice
Chef Manuel Rodriguez
Venezuela
People's Choice
Chef Manuel Rodriguez
Venezuela
Top Chef Challenge
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2014
Judge's Choice
Chef Jiraporn Bunlert
Thailand
People's Choice
Chef Roman Shchadrin
Russia
Top Chef Challenge
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2013
Judge's Choice
Chef Nathan Bates
New Zealand
People's Choice
Chef Nathan Bates
New Zealand
Top Chef Challenge
Chef Nathan Bates
New Zealand
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2012
Judge's Choice
Chef Victor Merenyi
Hungary
People's Choice
Chef Devin E. Johnson
Bahamas
Top Chef Challenge
Chef Sondre Ellingstad
Norway
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2011
Judge's Choice
Chef Lars Beese
Denmark
People's Choice
Chef José Luis Fernandez
Peru
Top Chef Challenge
Chef Lars Beese
Denmark
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2010
Judge's Choice
Chef Jan Van Haute
Belgium
People's Choice
Chef Einat Admonty
Israel
Top Chef Challenge
Chef Victor Merenyi
Hungary
Pepsi Best Beverage
Macy’s Best Dressed
2009
Judge's Choice
Chef Nazha Kasaraoui
Morocco
People's Choice
Chef Nazha Kasaraoui
Morocco
Top Chef Challenge
Chef Martin Johansson
Sweden