Meet the 2 Chefs Going Head-to-Head at Iron Chef Tucson 2024

August 26, 2024

By Matt Sterner

That’s a wrap — until Saturday, October 5, at least.

This past Sunday, six local chefs squared off in the Meet the Chefs cooking competition in the Copper Ballroom at the Tucson Convention Center.

All six chefs and their teams sliced, diced, and impressed judges. Each chef was judged on three categories — taste, creativity, and presentation/visual appeal — and Chef Anthony Dromgoole of OBON came out on top, taking first place at Meet the Chefs.

Chef Anthony Dromgoole (Photo by Shane Reiser)

With over a decade of culinary experience under his belt, including seven years dedicated to the art of sushi, Dromgoole became OBON’s new chef earlier this year. Since his debut in the kitchen at the downtown restaurant, the menu has been brimming with his blend of innovative creations and time-honored Japanese dishes.

The other local chefs who competed in Meet the Chefs this year include Chef AJ Mortazavi of The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery, Chef Jose Contreras of Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen, Chef Alex Cole of Proof Artisanal Pizza and Pasta, Chef Mat Cable of Zio Peppe and Fresco Pizzeria, and Chef Logan Tessier of Pin + Flour (the restaurant inside The Eddy Hotel Tucson).

Iron Chef Tucson

So, what’s next for Dromgoole and the team at OBON?

This October, he’ll compete against the current two-time champion Chef Ken Foy from Dante’s Fire at Iron Chef Tucson. Last year, Chef Foy was defending his 2022 title and beat Chef Devon Sanner, who is now the brand-new Executive Chef at the Lodge at Ventana Canyon.

Chef Anthony Dromgoole and Chef Ken Foy (Photos by Shane Reiser)

“I look forward to defending my title as Iron Chef in the upcoming competition,” said Foy.

The two chefs will go head-to-head on Saturday, October 5 at Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, 1100 W. Pima Mine Rd.

Reserved seating is available starting at $50. Your ticket includes entry to the Culinary Experience from 3-5 p.m. with two hours of food and drink sampling, cooking demos, classes, and more.

Then, the main event — the Iron Chef Tucson Competition — is from 6 -7:30 p.m.

Get your tickets soon if you’re hoping for a reserved seat.

For more information on all things Iron Chef Tucson, please visit ironcheftucson.com.

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Article By

Matt Sterner

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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