Brewery Ommegang's Hop Chef contest challenges the best young chefs in several cities to use beer in and with their cooking in creative and delicious ways. The Philly competition is set for April 23 at Union Transfer. It's the second year here for the competition, which is all about the realationship between beer and food.

At the event, six chefs will prepare a special dish of their creation that uses beer as an ingredient. It will be served with a specifically paired Ommegang beer to a panel of judges (including our editor in chief, Danya Henninger), and also to the assembled guests. Tickets to the event, which begins at 7 PM, run $53.50 (here), and include all the food and beer you can get your hands on. You'll also have a chance to vote for the People's Choice winner, so eat and drink with that in mind. The judges will select a Philly Hop Chef winner, who will go on to represent Philadelphia in the finals at Ommegang’s Cooperstown, NY brewery this summer.

This year’s contestants are Eli Kulp (Fork), Mike Deganis (Alla Spina), Lucio Palazzo (La Calaca Feliz), Nick Macri (Southwark), Pat Szoke (The Industry) and Yun Fuentes (JG Domestic). Last year’s contest sparked a ton of lively Twitter trash talk between the chefs, and there’s no doubt we’ll see more of the same this time around. Follow #HopChef to keep up with the banter, and join in if you want. Catch you at Union Transfer on Tuesday, April 23.

Top photo by HughE Dillon

Event Date: 04/23
Event Time: 7 PM
Location: Union Transfer
Price: $53.50
Type: Beer,Food
Website: drnk.ly/10DjOYO