Third Annual Chef’s Challenge winner is…

Patty Booth O’Neill

Long Branch — It was a great night out on the town Thursday when hundreds converged on the Ocean Place in Long Branch for the annual Chef’s Challenge sponsored by The Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce.

Chef Challenge Judges for the evening were Debbie George of Food & Wine; Big Joe Henry, Host and Executive Producer of the Big Joe Henry Show and Brian Petersen, PCII, Chef Manager at Rutgers University.

Those who attended sampled each of the chef’s entries and voted on their favorites, which was the “People’s Choice”, separate from the judges choice. “Everything is amazing,” said one person. “I can’t decide on my favorite so I’ll just have to go back and taste them all again. I’m stuffed. It’s like being on a cruise ship.”

The “People’s Choice” went to the Mix’s 2nd Floor for their Lobster Macaroni and Cheese and Pasta with Sausage.

Adding to the ambiance were creations by local decorators, designers and florists making the Tabletop design. The amazing creations were judged by Meg Fox of DesignNJ.

Offering samples were R&R Marketing, Court Liquor, Shore Point Distributors, Choco-Vine, 2ndFlr, Mix, Cake Bake & Roll, Rocky Mountain Chocolate, Bite Your Belgian, Windmill and the Rook Coffee Roasters.

Additional sponsors were: Monmouth Medical Center, Atlantic Eye Physicians, the City of Long Branch Office of Economic Development and the Long Branch Urban Enterprise Zone.

Competing Chefs
Avenue in Pier Village, with braised Pork Belly with White Bean Puree by Chef Dominique Filoni who received his culinary education at Lycee Hotelier Institute in France. www.leclubavenue.com

Branches Catering, West Long Branch, wowed the crowd with Cider Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Asian Five Spices Over Roast Vegetables. The meal was prepared by 20-year veteran Chef Jaime Fierros and is an expert at creating custom dishes. www.branchescatering.com

The Draft House, Long Branch, offered bite-sized delicious Crab Stuffed Butternut Squash prepared by Chef Matt Fidler a veteran Chef who is new to The Draft House. www.thedrafthousenj.com

Johnny Piancone’s, located uptown Broadway in Long Branch, is well known for its Italian culinary experience. Chef Rick Piancone made a delicious Asiago Cheese Tortilinni with Fennel Sausage and Mushroom Belvedere Sauce. www.johnnypiancone.com

Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch, was the big winner of the night, chosen as top chef by the judges for their Barnegat Coast Local Swordfish topped with Saffron Aioli Crostini and Chimi Chiri. All led by Executive Chef Barry Walling, who was born in Long Branch. www.oceanplace.com

Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant, Long Branch, had people buzzing with their delicious Fish Tacos prepared by Chef Greg Weightman a graduate of Academy of Culinary Arts. www.rooneysocean.com

Sirena Ristorante, Pier Village had a specific theme of Duck Duck Duck, Squash Squash Squash. Prepared by Chef Kenneth Mansfield was delicious Duck Ravioli, and as if that wasn’t enough they also offered a Butternut Squash Cheese Cake that was to die for. www.sirenaristorante.com

Tre Amici al piccolo forno, Long Branch offered a dish made with Smoked Duck Breast prepared by Chef Matthew Zappoli who, among a list too long to mention, was Chopped Champion on the Food Network and has been included in Best Chefs of America. www.treamicinj.com

Tuzzio’s Italian Cuisine, Long Branch offered mouth-watering Shrimp Cakes prepared by Chef Joseph Tuzzio and son Joe. Tuzzio was born and raised in Long Branch and Tuzzio’s Italian Cuisine is one of the oldest restaurants in Long Branch. www.tuzzios.com

A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Kay Guadagno Memorial Fund at Monmouth Medical Center. Kay was an officer and Board member of the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce for many years and an integral part of the community.