A competition began in March with more than 100 dishes submitted by various restaurants, residents and visitors who wished to participate in the 2015 Virginia is for Lovers Culinary Challenge. From those entries three Virginia judges narrowed the submissions to 32.

Each successful nominated entrée was then placed into a vote-off open to the public, friends and relatives, to narrow the field to 16. From there the field was narrowed to 8 and then to 4. More than 2,500 voters participated to select the final four nominees.

On March 23, these final four chefs prepared and served their entrees at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. They include Island Clams Espagnole from White Dog Bistro in Mathews, prepared by Chef Walter Wilkes; Apple, Brie and Bacon Burger from Horseshoe Restaurant in South Hill, prepared by Scott Rogers; Chicken and Waffles from FoodE in Fredericksburg, prepared by Chef Joy Crump; and Five Fat Fried Chicken from Comfort in Richmond, prepared by Chef Travis...