He’s keeping the menu a surprise.

But the creator of Spokane’s inaugural Restaurant Wars is willing to drop a few hints.

“I’ve heard brisket,” Kris Kilduff said. “I’ve heard gnocchi. I’ve heard pork belly.”

He won’t be any more specific about the eight small plates, one from each restaurant participating in the first-time food fest. “We’re not going to announce (the menu) until the day of.”

Restaurant Wars aims to showcase Spokane’s local food scene. The new festival takes place Sept. 10 and features the small-plate competition as well as a beer garden, live music, chef demonstrations and vendors.

“I had to make this event because I wanted to go to this event,” Kilduff said. “If I didn’t make it, it wouldn’t exist.”

Chefs are being given free rein in creating the small plates for the competition.

“We’re really leaving it open to them,” Kilduff said. “We said show us your chef style.”

Judges are Chad White of Zona Blanca and “Top Chef,” Pete Taylor of Spiceologist and Pete Tobin of Inland Northwest Culinary Academy at Spokane Community College. Ticket holders will also get to cast their votes via text message.

Only one winner will be named.

Participating chefs and restaurants are Tyler Schwenk of 1898 Public House, Molly Patrick of The Blackbird, Travis Dickinson of Clover, Patrick Fescher of Hay J’s Bistro, Kadra Evans of Lantern Tap House, JD Leonetti of Prohibition Gastropub, Tony Brown of Ruins and Adam Hegsted of Wandering Table.

Plus, there’s room for up to 45 vendors.

So far, about 30 are signed up.

Admission is free. But it costs $17 to sample fare from all eight eateries. Instead of tickets, customers will receive bracelets with tabs that can be redeemed at the restaurant booths. Up to 1,500 bracelets will be sold.

But be on the lookout. In recent weeks, Kilduff has been planting what he’s calling “golden tickets” at some of his favorite local restaurants. He’s been leaving photos as hints on the Restaurant Wars Facebook event page and said he’s enjoyed having “people racing to restaurants to get them.”

 

 

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