Herb Wilson Ignores His Back Pain to Win the Final Culinary Clash

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• Herb Wilson wins the final Culinary Clash.
• Sebastien Silvestri declares Herb Wilson of SushiSamba the winner.
• Gilles Marini and Sebastien Silvestri.
• Matt Harubin of B&B Ristorante works on the whole pig he used in the Culinary Clash finals.
• Herb Wilson of SushiSamba works on the whole pig used in the finals.
• Oysters and whole pig made up the final ingredients.
• Steve Aguglia and Tom Mahoney of Aquaknox.
• Steve Aguglia of Aquaknox and Herb Wilson of SushiSamba.
• Nicole Brisson of Carnevino with Daniel Boulud

Ten days before the final Culinary Clash at the Venetian and Palazzo, Herb Wilson could only walk with the help of crutches. He injured his back running. And even though he wasn't expected to participate in the final round of the competition, the chef from SushiSamba, walking with a cane and in visible pain, said the event was too important to miss.

Wilson went on to win the event, facing off in the finals against Matt Harubin of B&B Ristorante.

Each of the chefs faced off against another, creating a dish in 45 minutes from ingredients found moments before in a mystery basket. Food trucks served as the kitchens for the event. Wilson and Harubin each had a whole pig and oysters as their final ingredients.

Chef Daniel Boulud and actor Gilles Marini from Brothers & Sisters were the celebrity judges for the night. Boulud reiterated that he had no plans to open a new restaurant at the Venetian and Palazzo.

Other judges included restaurant critic John Curtas, who's starring in the Food Network's coming All Forked Up with Al Mancini. Curtas says the show should air in March or early April, and the duo still needs to film in Nashville and New Orleans. He says the producers didn't want him to dine at any white tablecloth restaurants for the show.

Aside from the coveted Golden Spoon trophy, Wilson walked away with a trip for two to Italy.
· All Coverage of the Culinary Clash [~ELV~]