The Truffle Masters 2022 Crowns Chef Luis Roger of BCN Taste & Tradition and MAD as Winners in Highly Anticipated Competition

The Truffle Masters, Houston’s renowned celebration of the black truffle and all its culinary possibilities, made a triumphant in-person return on Monday, March 7, at the C. Baldwin, Curio Collection by Hilton in downtown Houston.

An elite panel of judges declared Chef Luis Roger of BCN Taste & Tradition and MAD the creator of the night’s top dish, a Winter Truffle Basque cheesecake with tangerine and apricot confit. The night’s proceeds will benefit Texas Food & Wine Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Texas culinary community.

Second place went to Chef Sherman Yeung and his team from Money Cat, who created a savory dish comprising truffle oil rice, sweet tamago, A5 Wagyu, braised hedgehog mushrooms, and pickled maitake, as well as a sweet offering made up of cocoa koji truffle entremet, matcha sponge, cocoa soil, shio koji truffle ice cream, and chocolate tempered tree.

Third place was awarded to Hidden Omakase and Chef Niki Vongthong, who prepared a plate featuring A5 Wagyu, Nam Jim, Perilla seeds, Wagyu fat crumbs, and truffle.

The People’s Choice award went to Kata Robata and Chef Manabu Horiuchi, who created a truffle and fatty tuna hand roll with mushroom sushi rice, as well as a Monaka Japanese-style truffle ice cream sandwich.

A who’s who of Houston food spanning 27 chefs from top-tier restaurants participated in the beloved event, where 500 beautiful guests enjoyed live entertainment, exclusive original cocktails created by acclaimed bartenders Alba Huerta and Derek Brown, a silent auction and raffle, an espresso martini bar by Meticulous Spirits and Chef David Skinner of Eculent, and more luxe touches, all in addition to the 27 black-truffle dishes dreamed up for the competition.

Participating chefs in the Truffle Masters competition included:

Chef Luis Roger of BCN Taste & Tradition and MAD

Chef Michael Hoffman of Brasserie 19

Chef Willet Feng of burger-chan

Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Alba Ristorante

Chef Manabu Horiuchi of Kata Robata

Chef Luis Lopez of Killen’s Steakhouse

Chef Billy Kin of Kinokawa

Chef Charlie Ho of Le Colonial

Chef Antonio Ordonez of Liberty Kitchen

Chef Sherman Yeung of Money Cat

Chef Joe Murphy of Nobu

Chef Alex Au-Yeung of Phat Eatery

Chef LJ Wiley of Trattoria Sofia

Chef Austin Simmons of TRIS

Chef Jaime Salazar of Warehouse 72

Chef Michal Michaeli of Badolina Bakery & Café

Chef Jose Ruiz of a’Bouzy

Chef Donovan Wood of Steak 48

Chef Jeff Potts of 93’ Til

Chef J.D. Woodward of 1751 Sea and Bar

Chef Robert Del Grande of Turner’s and The Annie Café

Chef Mayank Istwal of Musaafer

Chef Niki Vongthong of Hidden Omakase

Chef Yoshi Katsuyama of AYA Sushi

Chef John Salazar of Brennan’s of Houston

Chef Troy Guard of Guard and Grace

Chef Angelo Cuppone of Concura

“What a beautiful night, spent enjoying one another and the truffle, with a delicious supporting cast comprising delicacies from around the world,” said Diane Roederer, CEO & owner of DR Delicacy and founder of the Truffle Masters. “We are so grateful to all of our chefs, restaurants, bartenders, judges, guests, and sponsors, whose creativity, enthusiasm, and generosity ensured that we can support the important work of Texas Food & Wine Alliance. We are already looking forward to next year!”

AWARD PHOTOS: Emily Jaschke; PHOTOS: V. Sweeten