Behind the scenes, culinary creations will be judged by a panel of local food critics and other celebrity judges. Judges for 2009 included:
Nancy Anderson
Victoria Bradley | WHIRL magazine and Edible Allegheny
Chris Fennimore | WQED
Christina French | TABLE Magazine
John Gruver | Executive Development Chef, Market District
Ann Haigh | FANFARE and Co-host of "On the Menu," (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Chef Art Inzinga | Pennsylvania Culinary Institute
Bruce May | Pittsburgh Magazine
Marlene Parrish | Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Sally Quinn | Deputy Managing Editor for Features, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Rick Sebak | WQED-TV
Margi Shrum | Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Chef Ray Wesolowski | Pennsylvania Culinary Institute