Pans were flying and spirits soared last Monday evening as local star Chef Nicolas Abrams (Executive Chef at Novato’s Hilltop 1892) faced off against TV Celebrity Chef Ryan Scott (star of LivingWell Network's “Food Rush” and former Bravo Top Chef contestant) in a live cooking competition to benefit the re-election campaign of Denise Athas for Novato City Council.
The pair dueled it out in front of a packed house at Hilltop 1892 to see who could make the best dish in thirty minutes using a featured “mystery ingredient” that was unveiled moments before the competition kicked-off (canned cannellini beans). As the clock began ticking, each chef was given just five minutes to strategize and gather ingredients from the restaurant’s commercial kitchen.
Working as a team with their assistant sous chefs, Abrams and Scott took center stage at two exhibition cooking stations in the main room—cheered on by guests and a panel of three distinguished judges: Terry Eberle, owner of CaterMarin, Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold, and Harry Bookstein, a financial advisor at Sequoia Wealth Management.
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Chef Scott, who was clearly at home in front of an audience, engaged in witty repartee with onlookers during the competition. The event was Chef Abrams swan song at Hilltop, who announced he is leaving the popular eatery to join Rustic Bakery as the company’s new Food & Beverage Director.
Guests were treated to a delicious array of salads and gourmet cheese prepared by Athas’ son, Joe Jacobsmeyer--a sous chef at one of Chef Scott’s popular San Francisco eateries, Market & Rye. Local favorite Trek Winery was also on hand pouring wine for event goers.
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In the end Chef Scott prevailed, garnering rave reviews from the judges for his inspired dish: A spiced fresh-herb hummus (made from the cannellini beans) topped with a succotash of sautéed Brussels sprouts, asparagus, sweet corn, whole cannellini beans, wine, and crumbled sausage, finished with sautéed prawns, and a wine-pepperoncini juice reduction.
The well-attended evening was a rousing success for Athas, who hopes to win re-election to Novato’s City Council in November.
