One of the North Shore’s most heated competitions will pit Tahoe culinary colleagues against each other to determine who rightfully deserves the title of Mountain Chef at the Blazing Pans Cook-Off Sept. 11. The cook-off is part of the three-day Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival (Sept. 10-12) at the Village at Northstar in Truckee.

Reigning champion David Lutz, owner of Tahoe City’s Evergreen Restaurant, will be challenged by Chef de Cuisine Chad Shrewsbury of the Resort at Squaw Creek’s Six Peaks Grille.

Lutz was raised in the Bay Area and attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Lutz’s culinary philosophy, which is seen and tasted in the Evergreen menu, revolves around seasonal dishes featuring local and organic ingredients and high quality, sustainable meats. He strives to deliver deceptively healthy meals at an affordable, friendly restaurant.

Shrewsbury was also raised in the Bay Area. As a child, he became entranced with the culinary industry by helping in the kitchen in a variety of restaurants his father managed. Food preparation, atmosphere and creativity were an everyday part of his life. Shrewsbury carried his passion for food to the mountains, where he delights diners with his innovative creativity, especially in the realm of molecular gastronomy.

The one-hour competition will entail both chefs taking one main, secret ingredient and creating as many delicious dishes as possible in the allotted time. The ingredient will not be revealed until moments prior to the start of the clock. Both chefs will also be supplied with a complete pantry of kitchen staples and fresh produce. Past secret ingredients have included mackinaw, lamb, foie gras and rabbit.

Many of this year’s Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival events, including the cooking classes, are free. Ticketed events range from $20 to $90 and are on sale. For more information, call 888.229.2193 or go to www.TahoeFoodandWine.com.

The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival is a fundraiser for the Community Fund of North Lake Tahoe through the 501c(3) Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation. The 25th annual festival is produced by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association in partnership with Sunset, Northstar-at-Tahoe, the Northstar Foundation, Standards of Excellence, Charbay Winery and Distillery, Tahoe Quarterly and Tahoe TV.