Chef Anthony Serrano brings Chandler 2nd place at the World Chef Challenge Las Vegas

By: Cindy G Castillo

 

Anthony Serrano’s earliest family memories revolve around his close-knit Mexican-American family and the opening of their very first restaurant. 

 

Back then, he was a little kid running around the eatery, as he peeked with curiosity into the kitchen where all the cooking was happening, and to the entrance where his mother always stood. 

 

“I was constantly exposed to [cooking],” he said, as he remembered what sparked his interest in the culinary arts. Today, at the age of 34, Serrano backs his skills in the kitchen with a degree from the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. 

 

It was his win in September at the Scottsdale Spice Culinary Event, however, where Chef Anthony earned the Golden Ticket in a spot to compete in Las Vegas at the World Chef Challenge this past Nov. 13 – 17th. The winning dish was his Carnitas Street Tacos, made with citrus-braised pork and spicy slaw. 

 

This Vegas competition would allow him to show his best work at a world-class level – a feat many chefs only dream of accomplishing. He would compete against teams from countries in Asia and Europe in the course of one week. “It really is like the Food Network,” he said, remembering the pressure he felt for cooking time. 

 

A 9-foot by 9-foot kitchen, an outside environment, and a live audience were among his biggest challenges. “You have the photographer and camera crew putting a camera in your face while you’re trying to cook, and you only have a few minutes to cook your dish,” he laughed. Participants were given one hour to complete their first dish, “..and even if you were one second late, you were disqualified.” 

 

But Serrano persevered through the first two rounds with his “Grate Balls of Risotto” and his “Taco ‘Bout Cheese Taco” – a three a three cheese taco shell stuffed with slow braised carnitas and queso sauce topped with corn, black beans, tomatoes and avocado served in a beer can presentation.

 

In the third round of the competition, Chef Anthony placed 2nd, ending his run at the World Chef Challenge. A one point margin made the difference between first and second place. His dish was a fun and creative soup called “The Cheese-y, Potato-y, Beer-y Soup” – creamy bisque made with cream, Dubliner cheese, queso fresco, cheddar cheese, craft beer, and pureed potatoes.

 

And so, he proudly made his way back home to Arizona with a second place win and an extra $5,000 in his pocket. 

 

Today, he runs El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina of Chandler. Open since 2009, the restaurant has won dozens of awards for their salsa and tacos over the past few years at numerous Arizona food festivals, including the Arizona Taco Festival, TASTE, Chandler’s Culinary Festival, and the Maricopa Salsa Festival.

 

Chef Anthony Serrano is shooting for the stars. “Yesterday I applied for the Food Network, hopefully for a food-related TV show,” he said. He intends to add diversity into the network and represent the Latino culture with pride. “That’s where I want to be.” 

 

 

Crossroads Towne Center 

2950 E. Germann Road

Chandler, AZ 85286

 

Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m

 

www.epfamilyrestaurants.com

facebook.com/elpalaciochandler

480.802.5770