Now on its third year, the Trofeo Thierry Blouet culinary competition has clearly established itself as a successful vehicle to showcase up-and-coming chefs, both locally and statewide. The competition was established by Thierry Blouet, owner of the prestigious Café des Artistes and well-known pioneer of Puerto Vallarta’s culinary scene, the finest in Mexico next to that of Mexico City.

Requirements for participants included creating three unique Ribeye recipes, being 20 to 42 years old and of national origin and having at least four years’ experience in a restaurant or hotel in the state of Jalisco. The eight finalists were allowed three hours to prepare their dishes. The winner, chef Justo Amed Sierra, was announced during a special closing ceremony dinner.