Sysco Hosts Northern California's Battle of the Blades Finale

Three top chefs compete for title of Culinary Artist of the Year

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:41pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, is hosting a live cooking contest to select Sysco's best chef in Northern California. Three of Northern California's greatest chefs - Dean Hiatt, Jon-Luc Maggi, and Robert Root - will compete in a timed, 45-minute challenge using Sysco products and mystery ingredients. A five-judge panel will determine the winner based on visual appeal, creativity, execution, ingredient use, and taste and flavor balance. The winner will be named Culinary Artist of the Year and receive prizes including dinner at a MICHELIN restaurant.

Why it matters

This cooking competition highlights Sysco's commitment to supporting and showcasing culinary talent in Northern California. The event provides a platform for top chefs to showcase their skills and creativity, while also promoting local food producers and Sysco's own product offerings.

The details

The three chefs - Dean Hiatt, Jon-Luc Maggi, and Robert Root - will each be accompanied by a sous chef as they compete in the timed challenge. They will be required to use three products from Sysco's pantry as well as three mystery ingredients in creating their dishes. A panel of five judges, including Sysco executives and local culinary experts, will evaluate the dishes based on visual appeal, creativity, execution, ingredient use, and taste and flavor balance.

  • The Battle of the Blades grand finale will take place at 3 p.m. PT on March 16, 2026.
  • Chef Dean Hiatt has been the reigning champion of the Sample the Sierra's cooking competition and top chef of Northern California and Nevada for over 10 years.

The players

Dean Hiatt

Executive chef at Poor Red's Bar-B-Q in El Dorado, Calif. for over 10 years, and the reigning champion of Sample the Sierra's and top chef of Northern California and Nevada.

Jon-Luc Maggi

Executive chef at Tiki Tom's in Walnut Creek, Calif. who took a circuitous path through the 82nd Airborne Division as a 19 Delta paratrooper before graduating from the Le Cordon Bleu San Francisco and spending the past 10 years blending bold and diverse influences in kitchens across the Bay Area.

Robert Root

Executive chef at The Century in downtown Modesto, Calif. who has spent more than three decades crafting a culinary story from Napa's vineyards to Yosemite's granite peaks, blending passion, place, purpose, art, and authenticity into every dish.

Sysco Corporation

The leading global foodservice distribution company hosting the Battle of the Blades cooking competition.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The winner of the Battle of the Blades competition will be named Culinary Artist of the Year and receive an array of prizes, including dinner at a MICHELIN restaurant.

The takeaway

This cooking competition showcases Sysco's commitment to supporting and highlighting culinary talent in Northern California, providing a platform for top chefs to showcase their skills and creativity while also promoting local food producers and Sysco's own product offerings.