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2016 Budweiser Taste of St. Louis Announces Culinary Event Winners Chef Kore Wilbert from The Garden on Grand Takes the Top Prize as the 2016 Stella Artois Chef Battle Royale Champion ST. LOUIS, MO – September 20, 2016 – The 2016 Budweiser Taste of St. Louis – the Ultimate Food Experience congratulates the winners of the weekend’s culinary competitions: Chef Kore Wilbert from The Garden on Grand, Walnut Grill and Sugarfire. Chef Wilbert took home the prestigious title of 2016 Stella Artois Chef Battle Royale Champion. The Phillips 66 “Best Bite” winner went to Walnut Grill and the People’s Choice award went to Sugarfire. One of the most anticipated events at the Budweiser Taste of St. Louis is always the Stella Artois Chef Battle Royale and the 2016 competition was one of the best to date. Eight of the region’s top chefs were hand-selected for battle by the culinary committee. After days of competition, Chef Kore Wilbert from The Garden on Grand emerged as the Chef Battle Royale Champion. Chef Kore won the final challenge, “Battle Seafood and Stella,” with an Asian-inspired dish using Monkfish, Maine lobster and Stella Artois. The twist in the final was two secret ingredients instead of just one: Arborio rice and local mushrooms from Ozark Forest. Chef Wilbert won with three different dishes in three hotly contested rounds with some of the best chefs in the St. Louis area. In round one he battled Chef Peter Slay from Sugarfire in Battle Duck and Egg. He won with his take on breakfast with Duck sausage, duck bacon, a poached egg and Stella Artois pancakes. In round 2, Chef Wilbert battled Chef Jon Berger from Napoli 2 in Battle Beef. Chef Wilbert created a strip loin along with a cheddar, potato and bone marrow puree. In the final, Chef Wilbert defeated Chef Robert Sills, formerly from the Savannah Grille. Chef Wilbert’s final dish won him the 2016 Chef Battle Royale competition by a total of five points. The Phillips 66 Best Bite gives the Budweiser Taste of St. Louis attendees the power to select the winner by posting to their social media accounts. This year’s title was taken by Walnut Grill. The People’s Choice award goes to the fan’s favorite restaurant on 314 Hot Sauce Restaurant Row. This year that honor was given to Sugarfire. The 2016 Budweiser Taste of St. Louis weekend included much more than just food, with an amazing kids’ area, ArtWalk and for the first time, a Ferris wheel that was very popular with kids of all ages. Saturday also had great concerts with Jerrod Niemann and CJ Solar taking center stage in front of a crowd of thousands at the Chesterfield Amphitheater. The dates for the 2017 Budweiser Taste of St. Louis will be announced shortly. About the Budweiser Taste of St. Louis Celebrating its twelfth year, the award-winning Budweiser Taste of St. Louis offers patrons The Ultimate Food Experience. Voted St. Louis’ Best Food Event by St. Louis Magazine's A-List Readers’ Choice Poll for three years running, the event has something for everyone. To learn more, visit TasteSTL.com, follow us on Twitter @TasteSTL, like us on Facebook, find us on Instagram at TasteSTL or join in on the conversation with #TasteSTL.