Chef Peter Morris of Asbury Park’s Langosta Lounge recently won the new “Top New Chef” award at the New Jersey Restaurant Association’s 2014 Restaurant Operators Conference, better known as ROC’14. The award-winning dish, “Umami Filet Mignon with Prawns” was one of four entries created on the spot by NJ chefs and served to industry judges. Each competitor was required to use a 6 oz. filet mignon as the main ingredient. All four contestants were judged on taste, creativity, appearance and food safety.
“This new competition was an enormous crowd pleaser,” said Marilou Halvorsen, President of the NJRA. “Each chef had fun and the audience loved seeing them in action. Peter’s dish was superb, not only was his presentation gorgeous but he added touches that made his dish stand out from others, like star anise and black garlic!”
Prior to joining the Langosta Lounge, Chef Morris graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked with famous chefs around the country; he even cooked for President George W Bush at one time.
ROC’14 is an annual conference held in April that allows New Jersey’s foodservice industry to have fun while being educated on the latest products and services important to their business. In addition to the Top Chef competition, there was an annual mixology contest and new blind wine tasting open to 30 participants and directed by one of only a few Master Sommeliers in the world, Patrick Farrell. Approximately 230 people were at the conference.
For more information on ROC’14, the new Top Chef competition or for a copy of the winning recipe please visit our website www.njra.org.
About NJRA
Established in 1942, the New Jersey Restaurant Association (NJRA) represents the Garden State’s 25,000 eating and drinking establishments – the State’s largest private sector employers, generating $14.2 billion in annual sales and employing over 318,000 people. Support, Education & Advocacy for its members is part of the NJRA’s recipe for success and why it has become an essential ingredient for the hospitality industry. Visit www.njra.org for more info.
