In a culinary showdown similar to those featured on television shows such as Top Chef and Chopped, three seasoned chefs will match sharp knives and quick wits for the benefit of Founders Hall on Sunday, June 4, from 4 – 7 pm.
Chefs Mike Anastacio, Paul Desiano, and Germano Minin will compete to create an entree from a basket of surprise ingredients, in just sixty minutes, in front of a live audience. A panel of food experts, including Ridgefielder Brendan Walsh (Dean of Culinary Arts, the Culinary Institute of America) will judge the chefs on their creativity, craftsmanship and culinary results as the crowd cheers the chefs on.
How are the chefs preparing? What is their "recipe for success"? Find out right here on HamletHub as we showcase each chef! Today, we showcase Chef Mike Anastacio, Executive Sous Chef at Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish in North Salem.
How are you preparing for this much anticipated culinary showdown?
In my free time, I just keep cooking dinner in my home for my family. I've also been spending a lot of time thinking about flavor affinities and how I can apply them to an array of ingredients. It's hard to prepare when you don't know what ingredients are coming your way.
Do you know your fellow Chefs?
No, I do not know my fellow chefs. We've had a few meetings together, and I think they will make for some good competition.
Favorite meal to cook at home for your family/wife/significant other?
My family's all time favorite is macaroni and cheese. Simple is best. They enjoy food that is not too flashy, just done right.
Fan of the TV shows Top Chef or Chopped?
You have 60 minutes to win over the judges by your culinary creativity, craftsmanship and results. Enough time?
Although having more time would be ideal, I think that in 60 minutes I will be able to create something that represents myself and tastes delicious!
What do you hope is in your basket of surprises? Anything you don’t want?
I'm hoping for ingredients that are seasonal and local. I feel that these are the ingredients we really need to be focusing on. That being said, I'm a huge fan of cooking seafood and really fresh produce. Furthermore, I'm hoping I won't see food that has been processed already. Those are usually the hardest to transform.
What’s your recipe for success?
My plan is to just stay humble and true to myself. I plan on focusing on the variables I can control and let the pieces fall where they fall on things I cannot. Got to try to remember to keep things simple and highlight the best flavors and appreciate the ingredients for what they are!
Tickets and more information on Battle of the Chefs are available at www.founders-hall.org or by calling Founders Hall at 203-431-7000. Event sponsors: Fairfield County Bank and The Chefs’ Warehouse.
Purchase tickets to Battle of the Chefs here.