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The popular California-born "I Love Poke Food Festival & Competition" is headed to Seattle for the first time on October 6. The main event involves local chefs competing for the title of "Best Poke," judged by poke master Sam Choy of the Poke to the Max food truck.
Competing chefs will include Chef David Dekker of 13 Coins, former winner of Sam Choy’s Poke Bowl in Hawaii; Chef Steven Ariel of Trace Seattle; Chef Jason Velasquez of Stone Lounge; Chefs Maylin Chavez and Melissa Mayer of Olympia Oyster Bar; and Chef Geo Quibuyen of Food & Sh*t. Two-time I Love Poke champion Chef Chris Aure, who won both the I Love Poke San Diego and Orange County competitions earlier this year, will head to Seattle to compete with the locals.
Also judging the event will be prior I Love Poke champion Chef Antonio Friscia of San Diego, Seattle Magazine Food & Dining Editor Jessica Yadegaran, and other hand-picked judges.
Tickets are on sale now for the event, which will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Stonehouse Cafe. Attendees can sample the competitors' creations, try other Hawaii-inspired bites, and enjoy live music. Chef Sam Choy will also provide the crowd with a live poke demonstration during the evening.
