Most Valuable Chef Competition
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008

The Most Valuable Chef Competition was held March 18, 2008 at the state of the art Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts/ Hospitality Center. The chefs were challenged to create original recipes using a basket of secret ingredients, which included Chambord raspberry liqueur.

The eight competing chefs were George Apanasevich (above left) of the Hyatt Regency, Joseph Balbo (above middle) of Babylon Carriage House, Brian Burner of Blackwells Restaurant, James L. Knowles, Jr. (above right) of J.D. Page’s, Jason S. Kuebler of Pasta Pasta (below left), John P. Montgomery of Sea Levels, Brain Shuren (below right) of East Wind Caterers, and Jerry Suppa of Butterfields. 

Chef John Montgomery (below left) of Sea Levels Restaurant in Brightwaters took home the coveted crown of Most Valuable Chef. Montgomery’s winning creation featured “Pastrami Breast of Duck and “Pots de Crème with Raspberry Sorbet.” 

   

Second and third place chefs were also honorably mentioned - Jerry Suppa (above middle) of Butterfields in Hauppauge for his burgundy roasted duck and herb salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing; and Brian Burner of Blackwells (above right) in Wading River for his pan seared duck breast and raspberry tart with vanilla crème.