LocalShops1 and Intensity Academy’s Top Local Chef will return for its third year on April 28, from 4 to 7 pm at the Ale and the Witch in downtown St. Petersburg. The competition will feature chefs from:                 •Gaspar's Grotto Chef Philip Milton, Tampa           •Island Flavors And Tings Chef Helena Josephs, Gulfport           •Meze 119 Chef Katherine J. Gorr, St. Petersburg               •Pipo’s  Chef Ramon Hernandez, St. Petersburg           •Primi Ristorante Italiano Chef Tony Macaroni, St. Petersburg           •Rain Japanese Sushi Bar and Thai Chef Bobby Inthavong, St. Petersburg           •The Taste Junction Chef Antwan Coleman, St. Petersburg Time to get saucy. Contestants will integrate Intensity Academy’s Garlic Goodness hot sauce as a key component of their dishes.  Submissions will be judged on taste, creativity, appearance and use of the not-so secret ingredient by a panel of four celebrity judges and 150 guests. The contest is open to the public, and a limited number of food tickets may be purchased in advance at LocalShops1.com/TopChef.   A portion of event proceeds goes to the Community Food Pantry of Carrollwood/ Northdale.  The Ale and the Witch will also be donating 10% of all drink sales to the nonprofit organization.  The food pantry, started in 2008, now serves 300 families monthly. The Giant Fork, and music, too. The winning chef will receive fame, glory, a video appearance with Saucy Queen Michele Northrup, and the coveted Giant Fork trophy. The NPG Jazz Trio will perform while people sample the food and vote on the People’s Choice. The judges will critique each of the chef’s dishes and also vote on their favorite dish. The evening will culminate with announcement of winners for both the Popular Choice and Judge’s Vote. More information about the Top Local Chef competition can be found at LocalShops1.com/TopChef.  LocalShops1's Top Local Chef 2013 is presented by Intensity Academy; and is sponsored by the Ale and the Witch, Community Food Pantry, Prints Charming Booth, Savory Spice Shop St. Petersburg, Sunset Appliance Service, and The Shoppes at 400 Beach. For media and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Ester Venouziou at ester@localshops1.com or 727.637.5586. *** LocalShops1 Shopper Members: please log into LocalShops1.com and purchase tickets there for your discounted member's price *** Try samples from all eight chefs and then vote for your favorite! Tasting Pass 16.82