Competitors answer trivia questions during Somm Slam, Round 1
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Competitors Christopher Bates, Dan Pilkey, Julie Dalton, Justin Amick, Marissa Copeland, Mariya Kovacheva, and Nichole Dishman answer trivia questions during Somm Slam, Round 1
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Competitors Christopher Bates, Dan Pilkey, Julie Dalton, Justin Amick, Marissa Copeland, Mariya Kovacheva, Nichole Dishman, and Sean McClure answer trivia questions during Somm Slam, Round 1
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Dan Pilkey explains his pairing with the cheeses from Michele Buster of Forever Cheese
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Wine selection from Somm Slam, Round 1
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Host Fred Dexheimer and Chuck Furuya of Vino - Honolulu, HI at the Somm Slam, Round 1
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Competitors Justin Amick, Marissa Copeland, Mariya Kovacheva, Nichole Dishman, Sean McClure, and Winn Roberton listen to Chuck Furuya's feedback on their pairings
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Somm Slam, Round 2
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Six competitors move on to Somm Slam, Round 2: Julie Dalton, Mariya Kovacheva, Christopher Bates, Dan Pilkey, Justin Amick, and Winn Roberton
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Six competitors move on to Somm Slam, Round 2: Julie Dalton, Mariya Kovacheva, Christopher Bates, Dan Pilkey, Justin Amick, and Winn Roberton
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Competitors are blind tasting wine and taking notes
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Australian Lamb Carpaccio, Pickled Blueberries, Matsutake, and Spruce Tips by Chef Justin Bogle of Gilt – New York, NY
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Australian Lamb Carpaccio, Pickled Blueberries, Matsutake, and Spruce Tips by Chef Justin Bogle of Gilt – New York, NY
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Competitors Dan Pilkey and Justin Amick choose a pairing wine for Chef Justin Bogle's dish, Australian Lamb Carpaccio, Pickled Blueberries, Matsutake, and Spruce Tips
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Dan Pilkey explains his wine pairing to the judges
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Day 2 of the Somm Slam
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Day 2 of the Somm Slam
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Day 2 of the Somm Slam
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Young Carrots Roasted in Seaweed, Caramelized Squid, Amaranth, Pear, and Shiso by Chef Justin Bogle of Gilt – New York, NY
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Young Carrots Roasted in Seaweed, Caramelized Squid, Amaranth, Pear, and Shiso by Chef Justin Bogle of Gilt – New York, NY
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Chef Justin Bogle of Gilt – New York, NY
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Mourad Lahlou announces the Somm Slam Finalists Mariya Kovacheva and Julie Dalton
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Mariya Kovacheva and Julie Dalton, Somm Slam, Round 3
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Mariya Kovacheva and Julie Dalton, Somm Slam, Round 3
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Oumy Diaw, Champagne Sommelier, Judge at Somm Slam
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Somm Slam, Round 3
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Mariya Kovacheva reacts to some wine during Somm Slam, Round 3
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Host Fred Dexheimer during Somm Slam, Round 3
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Dirk Flanigan prepares charred octopus
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Charred Octopus, Santa Claus Melon, Purslane, and Tomato-Black Pepper Cream by Chef Dirk Flanigan of Henri – Chicago, IL
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Chef Dirk Flanigan describes his charred octopus dish during Somm Slam, Round 3
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Finalist Julie Dalton pours her wine pairing for the judges
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Finalist Mariya Kovacheva pours her wine pairing for the judges
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Smoked Australian Lamb Tartare, Vadouvan Curry Emulsion, Crisp Rice, Lamb Gastrique, and Micro Arugula by Chef Dirk Flanigan of Henri – Chicago, IL
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Mariya Kovacheva and Julie Dalton pick out wine to go with Smoked Australian Lamb Tartare, Vadouvan Curry Emulsion, Crisp Rice, Lamb Gastrique, and Micro Arugula by Chef Dirk Flanigan of Henri – Chicago, IL
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Finalist Mariya Kovacheva checks out wine options for the tartare
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Finalist Julie Dalton pours her wine pairing for the judges
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Chuck Furuya of Vino - Honolulu, HI gives his commentary on the pairings of both contestants
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Julie Dalton predicts Mariya Kovacheva would know the answer to this particular trivia question
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Will Blunt and Antoinette Bruno of StarChefs.com look on as Arnaud Pignol, Rhone Valley Wines, Inter Rhone CEO awards Mariya Kovacheva the winner of the 3rd Annual StarChefs.com Somm Slam at ICC
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Host Fred Dexheimer, Runner-up Julie Dalton, Somm Slam Winner Mariya Kovacheva, Antoinette Bruno, Will Blunt, and Arnaud Pignol, Rhone Valley Wines, Inter Rhone CEO
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3rd Annual StarChefs.com Somm Slam at ICC - New York, NY
Photo: Ben Rosser, John Mazlish, Clay Williams, and Shannon Sturgis | October 2012
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