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

Pepsi Best Beverage

Macy’s Best Dressed