Breaking News: Justin Pehowic

Pehowic, sous chef of Chakra in Paramus, won the second round of the
Ultimate Chef of Bergen County competition, besting chef Matthew Tirri of Nicole's in Bogota.

The contest, the second of three, was held at Chef Central, Paramus, on Saturday January 21.

On January 29 chef Pehowic will compete against chef Bryan Gregg of the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn, who won the first round of the contest.

Winner of the third round will receive the title of Ultimate Chef of Bergen County.

The secret ingredient at Saturday’s competition was bacon.

Chef Pehowic made sea salt baked beets with frisee, Humboldt fog cheese and a warm Mangalista bacon vinaigrette; fettuccini carbonara with a 40 minute sous vide egg and artisanal style pancetta; fresh bacon confit with Portuguese style clams, chorizo, fennel, and fennel pollen; and French toast with bacon, warm buttered maple syrup, and an egg custard presented in an egg shell.

Chef Tirri made French Toast with brown sugar bacon, mascarpone and a blood orange syrup;
caramelized onion tart with bacon and a Romano cheese sauce; grilled cheese and tomato soup; and a molton chocolate cake with banana, bacon, and granola.

Judges were Susan Sherrill, food editor of The (Bergen County) Record; certified master chef Thomas Griffiths, senior executive chef and director of Campbell’s Culinary Institute; and me.

Hope to see you next Saturday, January 29 at 11 AM.