Coastal Uncorked finshed their week-long festival with a gala where some of the best chefs in the Grand Strand were pitted against each other, and last year's winner, in an Iron Chef-style competition.

The competitors were Eric Wagner of HGTC, Bradley Daniels of Croissants Bistro and Bakery, Andrew Gardo of the Sea Captain’s House, and Corbett Rourk, of The Dunes Golf & Beach Club. Famed Food Network chefs, Matt and Ted Lee, were joined by Louis Osteen to serve as judges. Each competitor had 20 minutes to create their best dish using either three or four mystery ingredients picked from local sources. 

The first two rounds had two chefs going head to head.  The next phase of the competition pitted those two winners against each other, and final proclaimed a winner among the four.  It was Andrew Gardo who prevailed and had to prove his skills one last time, against last year's winner, Eric Masson from The Brentwood Restaurant and Wine Bistro.  Despite a tremendous effort, and ecclectic and extravagant ingredient, it was last year's champ who reigned supreme.

For a full report on the event, a list of the mystery ingredients the competitors had to incorporate into their dishes, and an exclusive interview, check out this story on Grand Strand Happenings.