Portland Chefs Nearly Sweep Wild About Game 2013

Photo of Aaron Barnett/WAG 2013 courtesy Avila/WAG

Nicky USA's annual meat orgy Wild About Game (not to be confused with the traveling pork orgy Cochon 555) pit Portland chefs against Seattle chefs for its 2013 edition, which threw down this weekend at the Timberline Lodge. And in the four head-to-head chef battles, Portland took three: Erik Van Kley (Little Bird), Aaron Barnett (St. Jack), and the team of Ben Bettinger and Patrick McKee (Imperial, Paley's Place) won their respective rabbit, guinea hen, and elk battles; in the fourth, Seattle's Joey Serquinia (Harvest Vine) defeated Chris DiMinno (Clyde Common) in battle water buffalo.

Barnett's dish (above) was ultimately crowned the unofficial "Best in Show," winning the Judge's Choice award. Serquinia's aforementioned buffalo dish earned the People's Choice award. Last year, Seattle chefs took three out of the four battles (including the Judge's Choice), meaning that the 2014 edition — should the format stay the same — becomes the official rubber match. Bring it.
· All Previous Wild About Game Coverage [Eater PDX]