After months of regional competitions, El Pollo Loco named German Veletzuy from Sylmar, Calif., as Top Grill Master at its 17th Annual Grill Master Challenge June 16 in Los Angeles.
The event pays tribute to El Pollo Loco's signature grilling experience and featured six finalists representing more than 1,200 cooks across the 400-unit chain. More than $10,000 in cash was awarded to the top cooks and the support teams that helped place them in the finals.
Velutzuy, a first-time competitor in the Grill Master Challenge, won the title with his grilled pollo. He has three years of grilling experience at the El Pollo Loco restaurant in Pacoima, Calif.
Veletzuy was awarded a cash prize of $2,500, a trophy, a competition jacket and a personalized grilling fork.
Second place went to last year's winner, Demetrio Jurado of Los Angeles, and third place went to Misrael Martinez of Lancaster, Calif. Runners-up included Isabel Chavez of Sylmar, Calif.; Armando Lopez of Bakersfield, Calif.; and Felicitas Ruiz of Las Vegas.
"Grilling perfect chicken is truly an art that has fueled El Pollo Loco's growth and sets us apart from other quick-serve concepts," said Steve Sather, president and CEO of El Pollo Loco Inc. "The Grill Master Challenge gives us the opportunity to honor the best of the best at El Pollo Loco – the talented cooks like German who delight our guests each and every day with expertly prepared, delicious citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken they won't find anywhere else."
A panel of grilling connoisseurs from across the company, along with the stars of Bravo's Flipping Out, Jeff Lewis, Jenni Pulos and Zoila Chavez, judged the final six on their technique in several areas, including preparing, cooking, cutting, presentation and flavor.
