2024 Kentucky Food Truck Championship Judges
We are pleased to announce our 2024 judges, coming from all around Kentucky! Below is more information on each judge
Steven Clem
Steven Clem is VP of Sales & Management at Clem’s Foods in Lexington, KY. Clems is a 3rd generation family business with a focus on supplying proteins and ky proud products to restaurants, schools, and universities within Kentucky. They have been a USDA processor since 1965.
“The best part of my job is having the trust of so many amazing chefs to know that I will always put their needs first. In return I’ve been able to eat some of the most amazing dishes.”
James Duran
Originally from Azusa, California, Chef James Duran is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts is Los Angeles, California. Chef James started his career at the Walt Disney Company in 2011 before returning to Los Angeles and joining the team at Patina Restaurant Group where he cooked for the Grammy’s, Oscar’s, S.A.G. Awards, and the Los Angels Opera.
Chef James joined the Aramark team in 2014 at the U.K.’s Wildcat Coal Lodge cooking for Men’s Basketball. In 2017 he became the Executive Chef of U.K Athletics. In 2019 James achieved ProChef II certification from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. In 2022 Chef James gained ProChef Level III and became the Campus Executive Chef of Eastern Kentucky Dining.
Within the last year he has become vital in supporting multiple accounts across Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa as a Senior District Chef for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality.
Brittani Ratcliff
Chef Brittani Ratcliff, a Grayson, KY native, was nurtured in the art of cooking on her family farm, learning the intricacies of flavor from her grandmother. Inspired by these roots, she embarked on a culinary journey, attending culinary school to hone her skills. Renowned for her talents, she has showcased her culinary prowess on platforms like Hell’s Kitchen and Food Network’s Chopped.
Leah Shapiro
With over 20 years in Boston’s restaurant scene, Leah Shapiro has done it all—from server and line cook to managing a high-end steakhouse kitchen. After a decade empowering woman, she returned to her culinary roots at an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in Cambridge, MA. In 2019, Leah joined Aramark as an Executive Sous Chef in Hammond, Louisiana, and by 2021, she was managing all things food and production at Western Kentucky University. Leah’s passion for excellence shines through in everything she does!
Lindsey Sullivan
Chef Lindsey Sullivan was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She attended Jefferson Community and Technical college where she earned her associates of Culinary Arts in December 2019. Lindsey has been in the food service industry for the past 10 years working in a variety of restaurants and is currently the Executive Chef over the catering department at the University of Louisville. She strives to give her clients the best food and service possible while implementing as much seasonality and sustainable practices as possible when building menus. In 2023, Lindsey received a bronze medal in an American Culinary Federation sanctioned culinary competition as well as completing her Pro Chef Level 2 certification through the Culinary Institute of America.