Verdad's Chef To Compete Sunday For Coveted Cheesesteak Trophy

This Sunday, 's Nick Farina will compete for a chance to win a prize many Philadelphia-area chefs would be honored to receive: the Cheesesteak Challenge trophy.

Farina, who is a big cheesesteak fan, will be competing with other top chefs looking to bring home the prize on Sunday, Oct. 16 as part of Square 1682's Cheesesteak Challenge: High Steaks block party. This is the second annual competition, which Square 1682 began last year to raise funds and awareness for Philadelphia Academies.

For a $20 ticket, guests can sample cheesesteaks created by some of Philly's top chefs at the event and vote for the People's Choice award winner.

Some chefs will be cooking up classic Philly cheesesteaks, while others will put their own spin on the sandwich in hopes of bringing home the trophy. The panel of judges includes Philly cheesesteak expert Frank Oliveri Jr. of Pat's King of Steaks, as well as WMMR’s Matt Cord, City Hall’s Melanie Johnson, Thrillist Editor Nick Hamner, and Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation President Meryl Levitz.

As the executive chef of a Latin-European style restaurant and tequila bar, Farina is probably not the first person to come to mind when thinking of cheesesteak chefs. But, Farina is a big cheesesteak fan, he says. His favorite cheesesteak is a cheesesteak hoagie, but he'll be grilling up something a little closer to Verdad's style for Sunday.

"It's not 100 percent set in stone, but we're probably going to use some foie gras in it and a jalapeño-infused cheese we make in house with jalepeño, gouda and swiss," he said. "I've been playing around with it. It's a matter of getting the balance of having the cheesiness of the cheesesteak, but having something to contrast it or something with more acidity to cut through it."

As someone who grew up in Philly, Farina said, winning the Cheesesteak Challenge this weekend would be really special.

"It would be a huge honor," Farina said.

See how Farina fares on Sunday and chow down on some Philly sandwiches at The Cheesesteak Challenge block party. The event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16 at Square 1682, 121 South 17th St., Philadelphia. Tickets can be purchased here, and all the proceeds from the event benefit The Philadelphia Academies.