Photography: Tony Gale
Thirty minutes on the clock. Thirty dollars. Three meals. Ready, set, flambé!
Sound impossible? For our six fearless competitors, impossible was not an option at our sixth annual New York Moves Chef Competition, sponsored by Hammer Stahl Cutlery and G.H. Mumm Champagne. Hosted in the West Village digs of the James Beard House, we paired seasoned chefs and celebrity newscasters into three teams, ready to turn up the heat and deliver some spice. Veggies were sliced, fish were gutted, and only one team made the final cut.
Our teams’ creations were picked apart by a panel of seasoned experts: Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation; Ingrid Hoffmann, host of The Cooking Channel’s Simply Delicioso; and our celebrity wild card judge, Mike Zegen of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. All three came to the table armed with only a fork, a knife, and a discerning palate.
team one:
SUE TORRES, Sueños NYC
DR. STEVE, Pix11
Serving up serious flavor with their spicy Mexican dishes, Team One brought the heat to the kitchen. Pix11’s Dr. Steve Salvatore and the lauded Chef Sue Torres of Suenos NYC delivered mouthwatering plates with more than enough sizzle.
team two:
DAVID CRAINE, BLT Bar & grill
BIRMANIA RIOS, Univision
Our winning duo paired the illustrious Birmania Rios of Univision and the unheralded genius behind BLT Bar & Grill, Executive Chef David Craine. Racing the clock and beating the odds, our team crafted a sensational mushroom carbonara that left the judges salivating.
team 3:
ARIANE DUARTE, Top Chef Alum & CulinAriane
STEVE LACY, Fox 5
Our third team, Steve Lacy of Fox 5 NY and celebrity chef Ariane Duarte of Top Chef fame, delivered serious personality with their dishes. Featuring a seasonal and sensational red beet salad, this boisterous pairing put on a show as they cooked up a storm.