VALLEY NEWS – An audience of more than 700 people and a panel of celebrity judges watched some of Southern California’s top executive chefs compete to win over hearts and stomachs for the “People’s Choice” award and the Pinnacle award at the 2017 SoCal Chef Open. Chef Martin Venegas, executive chef at The Great Oak Steakhouse, was awarded first place in both categories, a feat never accomplished in the history of the competition.