23/07/2026
VOTE HERE (LINK IS ALSO IN OUR BIO)
https://favchef.com/2026/rico-mandel
Chef Rico Mandel's entry for the James Beard Foundation Critics Choice Award for an appetizer.
This dish was inspired by my love of layering contrasting flavors, colors, and extures into a single bite—crispy green plantain with citrus-soy glazed pork belly, bright pickled golden beets and stems, sautéed shimeji mushrooms, and a creamy Aleppo-Dijon aioli. The richness of the pork is balanced by the acidity and crunch of the pickled beets, while the mushrooms, gentle heat of the Aleppo pepper, and fresh microgreens bring earthy and refreshing notes to the dish.
Sustainability comes through thoughtful use of the ingredients: the beet stems are pickled along with the root, both the zest and juice of the citrus are used, and the pork braising liquid is reduced into the glaze rather than discarded. It reflects the way I like to cook—using ingredients with intention, minimizing waste, and creating something that is as visually inviting as it is enjoyable to eat.
VOTE CHEF RICO FOR FAVORITE CHEF ❤️