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The inaugural Grown in Monmouth Culinary Competition was held Monday at the Culinary Education Center of Monmouth County on Drury Lane in Asbury Park. The center is a collaboration between Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Vocational School District.

The contest, a part of the Monmouth County Freeholder’s Grown in Monmouth program initiated earlier this year, was loosely-based on the Food Network’s Chopped© format, according to a news release.

“Grown in Monmouth is the newest initiative under our Grow Monmouth program,” Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone. “This project continues to focus on strengthening all facets of Monmouth County’s agricultural industry and promoting locally grown products. This event marks the harvest season and restates the County’s commitment to assist local and small businesses.”

The best in cooking brought teams comprised of a professional chef, a Brookdale Community College [BCC] and a Monmouth County Vocational School District [MCVSD] student together to vie for top honors.

The teams were given a basket of ingredients exclusively grown, harvested, raised, bottled and brewed in Monmouth County and were charged with creating an appetizer, entrée and dessert course.

“This exciting competition has brought added recognition to growers throughout Monmouth County, an important component of the Grown in Monmouth program,” said Freeholder Lillian Burry, who serves as liaison to the Monmouth County Vocational School District. “We will continue our efforts to promote the local agricultural community and look forward to continued events such as this, as we work to help local farms and the entire agricultural community to prosper and thrive.”

The judges included Chef Emily Chapman, executive sous chef at Pasquale Jones in New York City; Chef Erik Witherspool, executive chef at Monmouth University for Gourmet Dining Services who also oversees culinary operations for Monmouth Race Park; and Chef Andrew Araneo, owner of Drew’s Bayshore Bistro in Keyport, [shown at right with Freeholders Arnone, Burry, and DiMaso].

Chef Chapman and Chef Witherspool are Chopped Champions and Chef Araneo is a Bobby Flay Throwdown winner.

Taking the Gold Medal was Chef Sharon Kircher of Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park [shown top right]who was paired with BCC’s Sean Yim of Howell and MCVSD’s Chelsea Mandes of Eatontown.

The Silver Medal winners were Chef Oleg Scorpan of Yvonne’s in Neptune, BCC’s Tyler Berman of Manalapan, and MCVSD’s David Ardizzone of Ocean Township.

And, the Bronze winners included Chef Wendy Escobedo of Kula Cafe in Asbury Park, BCC’s Erin Cotterell of Lincroft and MCVSD’s Giana Lupo of Middletown.

“This was a fun and exciting event that recognized the importance of the agricultural industry in Monmouth County,” said Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso, liaison to the Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools. “We would like to thank all those that participated and look forward to future events like this that will showcase Monmouth County growers.”

The Grown in Monmouth Culinary Competition ingredients included:

Trapper’s Honey – Clarksburg (Millstone)

Cream Ridge Winery Plum Wine – Cream Ridge

Screamin Hill Brewery Pumpkin Beer – Cream Ridge

Renee Stillwell Pork Chops, Bacon and Sausage – Cream Ridge

Belford Seafood Co-op Little Neck Clams – Belford

Pinhas Farm Potatoes, Garlic scape and Peppers – Millstone

R.J. Laurino Farms Butternut Squash – Colts Neck

Beyond Organics Growers Hydroponic Lettuce and Herbs – Howell

Eastmont Orchards Apples – Colts Neck

Bruins Farm Blackberries and Blackberry Juice – Cream Ridge

4JGs Winery Vidal Blanc Wine – Colts Neck

Rutgers Fruit Experiment Station, Apples and Hazelnuts –Upper Freehold

For more about Grown in Monmouth, visit www.growninmonmouth.com or call 732-431-7470.

[Photos courtesy of Monmouth County Department of Public Information]

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