West Hollywood, California (March 8, 2010) - Wehoan Elyse Eisenberg came within a basil leaf’s thickness of representing the United States in the 3rd Pesto World Championship when she finished second in a field of 11 competitors from around the country in the “mortar and pestle” shoot out. The first-ever US preliminary competition round in pesto making was held at Vincenti Restaurant in Brentwood on Feb. 24.
Andrea, a renown painter in Los Angeles and Italian food lover, won the mortar made pesto official selection reserved to US competitors and will represent the country in the Third Genoa Pesto World Championship.
She admitted the whole affair was a lark. “I’ve only made hand made pesto once before, and that was with a [food processor] – I buy it like everyone else,” she said. She bought a mortar and pestle and “gave it a try” the night before.
Ms. Eisenberg said it was an honor to be among such company to begin with, but she was doubly pleased at placing so near the top and ahead of “professionals and real cooks.”
Ms. Eisenberg finished ahead of renowned food critic Jonathon Gold, an owner of an Italian restaurant and several self-professed “foodies.”
She faced a jury that included Master Chef Nicola Mastronardi, Evan Kleiman manager for Slow Food in Santa Monica, Teresa Earl American competitor in the last Championship in Genoa and Roberto Panizza and Sara Di Paolo from Associazione Palatifini.
Wehoan Elyse Eisenberg standing with other contestants for the mortar and pestle to take to Genoa. WeHo News. |
The event is organized by the Cultural and Gastronomic Association Palatifini. Roberto Panizza, President of Palatini, and Sara Di Paolo, responsible for the World Championship organization, were there.
The third Pesto World Championship will be held Saturday the 20th of March 2010 in Genoa's historic Palazzo Ducale, Salone del Maggior Consiglio.
100 competitors from all over the world will prepare Genoese pesto exclusively with a pestle and mortar, using only authentic, genuine ingredients.
Among them, 10 finalists will be selected by the jury to compete for the final prize.
Ms. Eisenberg indicated she would try again next year.
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