A Winner Is Crowned at the Waffle House Smackdown

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Gunshow chef Kevin Gillespie came up just short in Saturday's Waffle House Smackdown at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Chris Shepherd, chef at Houston's Underbelly, took home the title of Master Blaster, defeating the defending champion, Charleston's own Mike Lata, as well as Gillespie and Michael Hudman, chef at Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen in Memphis.

Gillespie prepped for the competition by learning the ways of the iconic all-day diner at Waffle House #1570 in Newnan. Even with the in-the-trenches training, Shepherd's perfect score in the plating category gave him the edge over Gillespie and this year's crown. And though Shepherd took out the rest of his fellow chef competitors, he was no match for six-year Waffle House veteran, Jeff Appleman, who also took part in the challenge. For a recap on all that happened during festival weekend, head to Eater Charleston, and take a look below at more pictures of Gillespie duking it out on stage.

· 2014 CHS Wine + Food Hangover Observations [-ECHS-]
· CCP Presents Waffle House Smackdown Hosted by Andrew Knowlton [CWFF]
· All Waffle House Coverage [-EATL-]
· All Kevin Gillespie Coverage [-EATL-]