A CulinaryAdventure
Like No Other
Tuesday, July 8
Thursday, July 10
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Union West Building
Valencia College Downtown Campus
Walt Disney WorLd Center for
Culinary Arts and Hospitality
601 W. Livingston St., Orlando, FL 32801
- 5-7 Innovative, professional chefs create unique fusion dishes combining ingredients, techniques, or spices from at least two different continents/cultures, while competing for prize money!
- You and a panel of judges sample all the creations.
- The judges determine 1st and 2nd place winners each night.
- YOU vote on the Audience Choice award winner each night.
- Enjoy live entertainment, trivia, and making new friends!
- The overall winner from all 14 chefs is announced and awarded the $1,000 Grand Prize!
Culinary fusion Contest
meet the Chefs
Chef Alain Lemaire
Award-winning Chef Alain Lemaire is a Haitian-born culinary innovator known for bold flavors and unforgettable experiences. As Co-owner and Executive Chef of Florida-based Sensory Delights, and founder of Ou Manje Deja?, he brings Caribbean-inspired cuisine to life through catering, private chef services, pop-ups, and merch. Chef Alain has appeared on Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, Fire Masters, and Discovery+’s Luda Can’t Cook with Ludacris. He’s also been featured at top food festivals and in major publications like The New York Times, Food & Wine, and USA Today.
Chef Dhasmana Garhwali
A passionate culinary artist with 16 years of experience, specializing in Indian cuisine and known for authentic Indian culture food and its fusion with international cuisines. Driven by a love for food and a commitment to quality, created unforgettable dining experiences.
Chef Jamiel Winchester
Jamie Winchester is a Brooklyn-born home chef with Trinidadian roots and a deep love for Caribbean comfort food. Now based in Orlando, she uses cooking as a way to celebrate heritage and bring people together. Through her upcoming podcast and supper club Brown Stew Girl, Jaycee explores how food tells the stories of migration, memory, and joy—one plate at a time.
Chef Michael Martino
5 x local Iron Chef champion in Pennsylvania. Worked in Charleston, SC and the Grand Canyon, AZ. Work for years in product development for food manufacturers and currently working for one of the leading seafood suppliers in the US as well as the leading Chilean Seabass processor in the world.
Chef Elena Chitotoagi (Moldova)
As a second-generation chef, my culinary journey has been shaped by passion and profound personal experiences rather than formal education. My love for cooking began at the tender age of four when my mother immersed me in the art of flavor and technique. Although she passed away when I was just thirteen, her spirit and teachings continue to guide my every dish.
Chef Fadila Kruger
My culinary journey commenced at the age of eight, and I have maintained a consistent passion for cooking since. I attended two semesters of culinary school. My culinary approach is characterized by exploration and originality, drawing inspiration from my environment and the individuals for whom I cook.
Chef Jonathan Woodbury
Chef Jonathan Woodbury (pronounced: JOHN-uh-thun WOOD-bur-ee) is the founder and Senior Chef of The Legendary Experience (T.L.E), a private dining brand known for turning meals into meaningful moments. Raised in South Carolina and classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Jonathan blends French culinary technique with deep Southern roots to create elevated, soulful cuisine. His belief is simple: dining should be more than nourishment — it should be a cultural celebration. Through his work, he brings bold flavors, storytelling, and genuine connection to every table.
“Food is the ingredient that binds us together.”
Chef Pablo Emilio
Chef Claudia Ramirez
My name is Claudia Elizabeth . I am 26 years old. I was born and raised in Venezuela. But my mother and grandparents are Peruvian. In my country I was able to study basic cooking techniques for almost two years. My grandmothers were natural cooks and their way of giving love was through food. I moved to the United States at 19 and started working in restaurants and along the way I realized that food was my passion and my way of giving love as well. I became an observant and creative cook, always very open to continue learning in every place I went. I currently work in the hospital as a cook and I can tell you that serving has been my greatest learning experience, and every thank you and smile from each coworker only means that you are doing well! I continue learning in a healthy, tasty and fun way in the kitchen. Thank you.
Chef Ghazala Salam
Ghazala Salam is a cultural storyteller and self-taught chef whose cuisine is inspired by Indian roots and the rich culinary legacy of the Silk Road. Blending global flavors with heart and heritage, her dishes celebrate cross-cultural connection and reflect a deep passion for storytelling through spice, culture, and tradition.
Chef Makenric Vil
Makenric vil born and raised in miami dade county. Is fueled by flavor, driven by rhythm and always in motion. Caribbean spice,soul food soul, R&B Vibes, “I’m BUILT on taste sound and heart”
Chef Yves Desravines
Chef Rouge (Yves Desravines), a 2024 FusionFest 1st Place winner and independent Caterer for Rouge Foods LLC, ignites his 13-year culinary journey – spanning kitchens in Orlando (SeaWorld & Universal), Miami (Le Basque Catering & Creative Edge), and New York (Lulu Kitchen) – with raw passion. Holding a Bachelor’s in Food & Beverage Service Management, Chef Rouge’s foundation is his strong Haitian heritage. He dynamically innovates Haitian culture through food, expressing his deeply felt culinary artistry – embodied by his chosen name ‘Rouge’ (French for ‘red’) – in every vibrant creation.”
meet the judges
Executive Chef and Former Contestant- Abeoler Lewis
Food Influencer
Gam Marotta
Food Influencer
Alicia Chea Junga
Food Influencer
Jazmyne Richardson
Executive Chef and Valencia Community College Dean
Alex Erdmann
Executive Chef
Patrick Story
Special thanks to our Contest Sponsors!
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Triple “O” Interactive Art Game
Revolutionizes how audiences interact with and perceive art.
Triple “O” represents the three outcomes that a celebrity contestant’s interpretation may receive from the panel of judges: “On-Track,” “Off-Track,” or “Off-Planet.” Join us and make friends, meet artists, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages, all while engaging with art in a relaxed and entertaining way!
A Perfect Union Art Gallery
West Oaks Mall, Ocoee, FL
Saturday, June 28 Noon – 3pm
FREE
Join us!
for our signature event on the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving in Downtown Orlando is a free, two-day, festival that draws people from more than 110 different cultures to experience music, dance, food, visual arts, spoken word, games and interactive activities.
MYgration Films
3-5 minute, short documentaries about local residents’ stories of coming to and finding home in Central Florida.
Local filmmakers and film subjects are randomly paired, often resulting in cross-cultural pairings. One week later, a final cut of a documentary exists!
The films are then premiered film festival style, shown at the FusionFest Festival in November and remain online on FusionFest’s YouTube channel.
FusionFest Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission to celebrate the people and the many different cultures that make Central Florida awesome by showcasing talents, sharing stories, driving innovation and building community based on respect and understanding.
FusionFest is made possible through
Annual grant support provided by
and generous program grants and sponsorships from
The 2025 CUlinary FUsion contest
is made possible with support from...
