Industrial Eats Wins 2017 Ramen King of Santa Barbara

By Bonnie Carroll

It has been the pattern that great ramen dishes from Finch & Fork chefs walked away with the honors at the annual Ramenfest competition, however, a few upsets were on the horizon at Goodland Kimpton on Sunday when Jeff Olsson and Tracy On of Industrial Eats in Buellton surprised everyone by taking 1st Place overall.

Jeff Olsson & Tracy On, Industrial Eats

Olsson, chef/owner of Industrial Eats presented a ramen with duck and salmon that was sensational.

Industrial Eats 1st Place Ramen Bowl

The popular vote went to Sama Sama, who were doing a delightful food production for hungry attendees that was quite interesting and at times entertaining.

Sama Sama Team Tyler Peck, Ryan Simorangkin, Mariella Dentzel, Esteban Ramirez

The Outpost’s Third Annual “Ramenfest” at the Goodland Hotel on Calle Real in Goleta featured top restaurant teams that included Finch & Fork, Outpost, Sama Sama, Barbareño, Wildwood Kitchen, Loquita, Industrial Eats and a bevy of Japanese sake, beer and whiskey samples from Craft Imports & Young’s Market.

Finch & Fork Team, Peter Cham, Elijah Klein, Dani Morales, Patrick Bryant

The Ramenfest welcome cocktail was a refreshing beverage featuring Akashi Ume (Japanese plum whiskey), yuzu, lemon, ginger & honey.

Beverage Team, Takashi Endo, Chris Elliott & Jenna Babhler

From traditional ramen to unique interpretations, including an amazing ramen with a French flair from Wildwood Kitchen, it was all delicious with ramen tasters eager to select the 2017 “Ramen King of Santa Barbara.” From Noon til 4:00 crowds of people packed into the pool area of the hotel to sample and cast their votes.

Barbareño Team, Justin Snyder, Preston & Doug

DJ Darla Bea set the vibe with great music as guests mingled, sampled and sipped the afternoon away. Former Ramen Champion Chef James Siao, was a host with the most at the event, and the staff at the Kimpton Goodland really did a fantastic job keeping the attendees happy. Partial profits from Ramenfest are being donated to No Kid Hungry, a charity that works to end childhood hunger in America.

Executive Chef James Saio, Outpost Kimpton Goodland