UNCW executive chef competing for national ACE Champion title

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW’s executive chef Ryan Andress is headed to Texas next week to compete for the national ACE Champion title.

Earlier this year, 20 Aramark Collegiate Hospitality Chefs from North Carolina and Virginia competed in Wilmington for the 2024 ACE Champion title. Each chef showcased their skills using local black sea bass provided by UNCW Center for Marine Science.

Judges, including industry experts Chef Keith Rhodes and Chef Miles Huff, assessed criteria like cleanliness, execution, and flavor. UNC Wilmington’s Executive Chef Ryan Andress emerged as the Gold Champion, advancing to the national competition in San Antonio in June. Chef Andress wowed with his Chicken-Fried UNCW Black Sea Bass.

Chef Andress is competing on June 27th at the Culinary Institute of America in Texas. The awards ceremony is happening that evening.