Long Branch Chamber Sponsoring Chef Challenge Tonight

If you have ever watched the show Iron Chef and wished you could be one of the judges who gets to taste all the exquisite food that is cooked up, you may now have your chance.

The Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the second annual Long Branch Chef Challenge tonight, April 28, at Ocean Place Resort and Spa.

"The Chef Challenge committee felt that since Long Branch is a fabulous dining destination that an event of this type will be a great showcase for our restaurants and a kickoff for the Spring/Summer 2011 season," the chamber stated in a release.

The Iron Chef-like event will take place at the resort, located at 1 Ocean Blvd., Long Branch, at 6:30 p.m. and will include 15 of the area's best chefs.

Ocean Place Resort and Spa and Tre Amici il Piccolo Forno were the big winners last year and will be back to defind their titles. As of March 31, the following chefs will be participating in this year's event:  Nigel Samaroo, White Marlin; Ken Mansfield, Sirena; Jaime Fierros, Branches; Dominique Filoni, Avenue; Greg Weightman, Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant; Kris Kelber, Draft House; Rick Piancone, Johnny Piancone’s; Jesse Novak, Jesse’s Café; ; Ryan Musillo, McLoone’s Pier House, Dave Connolly, Charlie’s Ocean Grille and Joseph Tuzzio of Tuzzio’s Restaurant.

All of these chefs' delectable dishes will judged by a 3-member panel of industry specialists, Chris Brandl from Brandl’s in Belmar; Debbie George, Food & Wine magazine and Michael Sirianni, Principal/Director of the Culinary Education Center, a division of the Monmouth County Vocational School District. 

There will also be a People’s Choice Ballot for attendees to taste every dish and vote for their favorite chef.  

Guests can also sample craft beers from Court Liquors and there will also be food demonstrations and tastings by Cake Bake and Roll, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company, Strollo’s Lighthouse, Carter and Cavero Olive Oil Company, DIVE, and the Rook Coffee Roasters.

In addition to the chamber, Monmouth Medical Center and the City of Long Branch Urban Enterprise Zone are sponsoring the event. 

Sponsorships are still available for the challenge and tickets are limited to 300 people and are $70.00 per person. 

Please contact Susan Woolley or Nancy Kleiberg at 732-222-0400 or longbranchchamber@verizon.net to purchase tickets or for more information.

Check back tomorrow for a full story and results from this unique event!