Above: Jada Weedon (center) and other eighth-grade students taking part in the Seashore School’s Chopped Challenge elective work together to create an Italian grilled cheese panini dish at the Long Branch Chef Challenge on Nov. 3. Below: Tre Amici chef Matthew Zappoli (right), Grace Cairns and Paul Zappoli prepare their entry of yellowtail hamachi crudo. PHOTOS BY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR LONG BRANCH — Twelve local chefs chopped, sautéed and seasoned their signature dishes for the fourth annual Long Branch Chef Challenge.
When all the dishes were plated, the “top toque” was claimed by chef Kenneth Mansfield of Sirena Ristorante in Pier Village, Long Branch, whose porcini ravioli with truffle cream was chosen as the winner. Held at the Ocean Palace Resort & Spa in Long Branch, the Nov. 3 competition was determined by a panel of judges.
The top chef in the People’s Choice cate- gory went to chef Bradley Rodriguez of Copper Canyon restaurant in Atlantic Highlands for his Berkshire carnitas tacos.
The competition, sponsored by the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, included chefs Mansfield and Rodriguez; Leonardo Giordano of Carpaccio Ristorante in Middlesex; Kyle Hopfensperger of DIVE, Sea Bright; Jaime Fierros of Branches Catering, West Long Branch; Barry Walling of Ocean Place Resort & Spa; Josh Sauer of Avenue, Pier Village; and Joseph Tuzzio of Tuzzio’s Italian Cuisine, Thomas Schoborg of Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant, Julio Andre of Mar Belo, Matthew Zappoli of Tre Amici, and Rick Piancone of Johnny Piancone’s, all of Long Branch.
Before the competition got underway, the chefs were busy preparing their stations and showcasing technique. According to the Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, the event was attended by 220 people and raised close to $4,000.
Judges included Councilman Michael Sirianni, principal of the Culinary Education Center in Asbury Park; Debbie George of The Daily Meal; Brian Peterson of Rutgers University; and radio and television personality Big Joe Henry.
Also attending the event were fifth- to eighth-grade students from the Seashore School’s Chopped Challenge elective, taught by Tuzzio. The students were not competing in the challenge, but attended as both a learning experience and a way to show off their skills.
The event was a benefit for the Kay Guadagno Memorial Award and Scholarship Fund, which benefits Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.