Councilwoman Cheng to Vie in 'Culinary Clash' Cooking Match

Soon to premier: the first annual Culinary Clash, a cooking contest based on the Food Network TV series "Chopped" – and featuring Councilwoman Ann Cheng on one of the four competing teams.

Each two-person team includes one Bay Area chef and one other person, drawn from public institutions or the corporate world.

The May 23 fundraiser is a benefit for Kitchen@812, a nonprofit incubator for food businesses sponsored by the West Contra Costa Business Development Center. The cook-off will be held 5-8 p.m. at the facility, located at the Pinole Shores Business Park, 850 San Pablo Ave. in Pinole.

Cheng said she was invited to participate by the organizer and that it's her first foray into the cooking-contest arena. She said she loves to cook when her busy schedule permits.

"When I have time I love trying to cook foods from different cultures," she said. "Just made palak paneer recently with homemade paneer, and my mom is teaching me Chinese dishes."

"Also," she added, "I love growing our own veggies and cooking them, so satisfying."

The four Culinary Clash chefs are:

• Patrick Robertson of  in Benicia
• Ismael Macias of Lark Creek Steak in San Francisco
• Adriana Lopez-Vermut of Pica Pica Maize Kitchen in San Francisco
• Ian Marks of Beast and The Hare in San Francisco.

The four other people on the teams are Cheng; Pinole City Councilman Roy Swearingen; McKinley Williams, past president of Contra Costa College; and Brandon Hernandez, director of corporate affairs at PG&E.

Cheng said the benefit serves a worthwhile cause.

"I think its really important to understand local small business incubators and support our diverse communities in bringing forth new cuisines that we aren't used to," she said. "So many are drawn to our regions' rich diversity of foods. It is an important cultural resource to spotlight and support."

Kitchen@812 offers commercial kitchen space for local businesses to prepare food.

A panel of guest judges will chose the winning team.

Tickets are $40 and are limited. The price of admission includes food and wine samplings and a souvenir glass. The doors will open at 5 pm. To reserve tickets, call 510-223-9900 or order online through the Business Development Center Web site. Proceeds will benefit Kitchen@812 programs. See the  for more information.

Event sponsors are PG&E, Chevron, Mechanics Bank and US Foods.  Other sponsors include The California Endowment, San Pablo EDC, Wells Fargo, Pear Street Bistro, DMR Accounting & Tax Solutions, 3 Fools Winery, Jelly Belly, Contra Costa College, Bank of the West, La Plazuela/Genoveva Calloway, Rudy’s Refrigeration, Print Em All  and XFADE Entertainment.

The non-profit Business Development Center opened Kitchen@812 last year as an incubator for entrepreneurs, offering the opportunity to launch and develop their food ventures.

“For many food entrepreneurs the unavailability of a commercial kitchen places severe limitations on their aspirations," said Project Director Waleska Haro. "Kitchen@812 provides the resources needed for those who need a commercial kitchen to produce their goods."