Garlic Chef Competitors

Who will challenge the reigning Garlic Chef this year?

2008 & 2009 Garlic Chef Champion
2008 Garlic Chef - Andy Trousdale of Le Bistro
Andy Trousdale
Chef
Le Bistro
Lighthouse Point, FL

Andy Trousdale
Chef
Le Bistro

Growing up in the rich agricultural region of Northwest England with the very best produce, dairy, beef and poultry was a key component in the making of this chef. When Andy was 15, an opportunity to enroll in a new High School Culinary Program arose, and he has not stopped cooking since.

The most challenging aspects of his career was early on. After graduating culinary college, Andy gained experience in some of the worlds finest restaurants For one, working alongside world-renowned celebrity chef Michel Roux at the Waterside Inn in Bray, Andy's natural talents were tested to their fullest ability. He was quickly recognized, and rose the ranks in the impeccable kitchen. Andy remains in touch with Mr. Roux through to this day, who personally praises him for his accomplishment, commitment and contribution to the culinary profession.

Working in Three Star Michelin and Relais et Chateaux establishments in France, England, and Holland is unlike any restaurant kitchen experience known to most. The time, precision, passion and respect for food and the culinary profession gave Andy the valuable training necessary for his ingenious approach and finesse.

Chef Andy shares his knowledge by holding demonstration classes in culinary arts at Le Bistro, in Lighthouse Point, Florida which he co-owns with his wife Elin since 2001. Dinner is served at Le Bistro 6 nights a week where artfully presented plates capture the eye, then seduce the remaining senses. From bread to dessert, all is made on premises. The exciting menu changes seasonally. In addition to a full a la carte menu, Tasting Menus, Spa Cuisine & "Clean Cuisine" Meal Programs are offered.

Miami Herald 4 Stars; Zagat- Top Restaurant in America

Le Bistro
4626 North Federal Hwy
Lighthouse Point, Florida 33064
(954)946-9240
www.lebistrorestaurant.com  info@lebistrorestaurant.com
Dinner 6 nights Tuesday - Sunday. Catering, Cooking Classes, Parties. Seasonal Lunch

 

Chef Joey Giannuzzi
Joey Giannuzzi
Owner and Chef
The Green Gourmet

Chef Joseph Giannuzzi brings over twenty years of culinary experience to his latest venture, The Green Gourmet, which he opened -- at The Shoppes at Addison Place South -- in Delray Beach, Florida, in November of 2009.

The Green Gourmet is a novel concept -- this innovative eatery serves up extraordinarily delicious dishes, which are also incredibly healthy for diners. Chef Joey is passionately devoted to creating dishes that are comprised of ingredients that are 98 percent organic, all natural, or biodynamic. It is also important, to note, that all protein, fruit, and vegetables here are organic. The Green Gourmet also offers a wide variety of enticing libations, including 16 organic wines, 6 organic beers, 25 organic sodas and juices, a host of organic fruit smoothies, and Fiji Water.

While Chef Joey was born in New York City, he was raised in Wellington, Florida, and developed a passion for surfing and cooking as a teenager. He learned how to cook from his mother and his aunts, and he started his career working in restaurants at the age of 16. Chef Joey honed his culinary skills at a wide variety of noted South Florida restaurants, including Prezzo, in Boca Raton; Max's Beach Place, in Ft. Lauderdale; and Max's Grille, on Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale. He joined Henry's, in Delray Beach, as a sous chef, when the restaurant opened in December of 2001, and was promoted to executive chef in 2002. Chef Joey helmed the kitchen at Henry's, for eight years, before leaving to realize his dream of owning his own restaurant.

An energetic and dedicated chef, he is passionate about cooking, from using fresh, quality ingredients, to creating delicious dishes that are pleasing to the palate as well as the eye. He favors simple preparations which allow his organic gourmet comfort food to shine. Constantly in pursuit of culinary perfection, Chef Joey is always making sure that all of the dishes, on his menu, please his legions of loyal diners.

Chef Joey resides in Delray Beach with is wife, Britt, who manages the business. When he is not working on recipes and cooking, he enjoys surfing.

The Green Gourmet
16950 Jog Rd
Delray Beach, FL 33446
(561)455-2466
www.TheGreenGourmetDelray.com  info@thegreengourmetdelray.com
Mon-Sat 11-8, Sun 11-6

Chef Michael Murgio
Chef Michael Murgio
Little Moir's Food Shack

Chef Michael Murgio, 1998 graduate from Florida Culinary Institute is not your typical chef. Murgio's creation's are out of the ordinary.

Originally from Passaic County, New Jersey, Michael is now a resident of the Village of Tequesta. Currently, in his fifth year cooking at Little Moir's Food Shack in Jupiter, Murgio is not afraid to create dishes "outside of the box". Murgio also was a chef at Captain Charlie's Reef Grill in Juno Beach for ten years. It is easy to travel the world with your taste buds as you enjoy Murgio's style of cooking.

Michael and his wife, Kristen, have explored through the British Virgin Islands, absorbing the culture, tastes and the Island FLAVA! Michael, being of Italian decent, can take any dish and throw his own spin on it! Italian and Caribbean cuisine are Murgio's specialty! It's a GREAT thing he loves GARLIC!

Michael and his wife also share three beautiful children. Isabella, 9, an inspiring, versatile artist herself; loves to cook like her father. Michael, 8, a surf and skateboarding prodigy and Rocco, 6, also an inspiring artist himself!

As a family, the Murgio's love living the simple Florida lifestyle of sunny beach days, lots of Reggae music, fishing and being together.

Little Moir's Food Shack
103 S. U.S. Hwy 1
Jupiter, Florida 33477
561-741-3626
www.LittleMoirsFoodShack.com

Chef Steven Scerenscko
Steven Scerenscko
Lincoln Culinary Institute

Steven Scerenscko grew up in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. With its wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and multi-cultural areas, Steven was vastly influenced by the large variety of culinary tastes of the area. His lifelong passion to become a Chef was sidelined by his natural talents as a musician. After years of performing and touring with some of the top names in the entertainment business and traveling throughout the world, Steven had the opportunity to experience the tastes of Italy, Spain, New Orleans, South America and the Caribbean to mention a few.

Steven started honing his culinary skills at home and for family and friends in his spare time. After relocating to Florida, he pursued his desire to be a Chef, and opened Bri's Seaside Café and The Anchorage Bistro in Stuart, Florida. Being a self-taught Chef, Steven enrolled in The Florida Culinary Institute to further his passion and respect for food and the culinary profession. He continues to experiment and explore not only the classic approaches to food, but also the new trends in American Cuisine.

Lincoln Culinary Institute
West Palm Beach
www.lincolnedu.com

Chef Michael Wagner
Michael Wagner
Owner and Chef
Lola's on Harrison

Chef Michael Wagner was born and raised in Roslyn, NY. After attending the University of Maryland on a full tennis scholarship, Wagner shifted gears and began his culinary career at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, NY. While completing his externship at the famous Chef Allen's in Aventura, Wagner had his first encounter with the plethora of tropical fruits and vegetables, began experimenting with contemporary fusion cuisine, and gained insight about the ins and outs of a fine dining kitchen.

In 1999, the talented young chef landed his first Executive Chef position at the South Beach hotspot China Grill's Tuscan Steak. Given the freedom to show-case his natural born talents, it wasn't long before Wagner had a following. Known for his unique and flavorful use of exotic ingredients, he began to build the Wagner foodie cult that would one day dutifully seek and follow him. After leaving Tuscan Steak, Wagner consulted at Perricone's Marketplace and Café and then helped open Abe and Louie's, Boca Raton.

In July of 2007, Wagner made his mark on the South Florida culinary scene by opening his first award winning restaurant Lola's on Harrison. A namesake to his late grand-mother and positioned to heighten the Hollywood culinary scene, Lola's on Harrison is an elegantly cozy dining destination showcasing Wagner's mouthwatering contemporary American cuisine. Offering a neighborhood restaurant feel coupled with Wagner's unique twists on contemporary favorites, it wasn't long before the foodie flock returned. Winning rave reviews from The Herald and New Times, as well as awards from Florida Trend, Zagat, New Times, Boca Magazine, and a headline spot in The New York Times Travel section, Wagner was on fire.

Throughout his career, Wagner has been featured in articles in every local South Florida newspaper and magazine, as well as in Gourmet Magazine and the national best seller The South Beach Diet. Wagner has also performed live on television doing cooking demonstrations for local news programs, culinary shows, and culinary competitions. In addition, Wagner has appeared on live game shows for the Food TV Network, and was also a featured chef at Bloomingdale's, Whole Foods, William Sonoma, and Macy's.

Lola's on Harrison
2032 Harrison Street
Hollywood, Florida 33020
(954)927-9851
www.LolasonHarrison.com
Tues-Thurs & Sun: 5:00pm – 10:00pm; Fri & Sat: 5:00pm – 11:00pm

Prior Winners

Copyright © 2008- Delray Beach Garlic Fest
Design by Electronic Village Systems