At the 32nd Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival, held on Sept. 18, four notable county-based chefs competed to be named the “Best Chef of Chester County.”
Competing through three rounds, the chefs — Avalon and Avalon Pasta Bistro’s Chef John Brandt-Lee, Straughen Catering’s Chef Scott Straughen, LOST Gourmet‘s Chef Olga Sorzano and 2010’s returning champ, Amani’s BYOB‘s Chef Jon Amann — vied for the title.
One winner was the shining star, and triumphantly, he was last year’s winner, as well: Amani’s co-owner/chef Jon Amann. It was no easy task for him to re-earn the title, either. Jon had 30 minutes to make an appetizer incorporating Downingtown-bred hot sauce from Chile Spot, 30 minutes to make an entree using local Highland Farms Sheep’s Milk Cheese, and another 30 minutes to prepare a dessert using local raw honey.
All of the items had to be prepared in an outdoor kitchen on the steps of West Chester’s Court House (2 N. High St.) and per each round, each competing chef had the opportunity to use the challenge’s “secret ingredient,” bottles of wine from the local Brandywine Valley Wine Trail.
To celebrate the “Best Chef of Chester County’s” victory, he will be serving the three courses that won him the title at his East Lancaster Avenue-based BYOB from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1. Better yet, Black Walnut Winery (who happened to have their wines incorporated into many of chefs’ dishes) will also be joining Amani’s to pair complimentary wines with each of the course.
Menu of Amann’s award-winning dishes are as follows:
First Course
Tempura battered Gulf Shrimp drizzled with Fatalli Pepper Aioli over a Bruleed Local Melon Mosaic
Second Course
Roulade of Duck Confit, Maitake Mushroom, and Highland Farms Sheeps Milk Cheese served with Pancetta braised Brussel Sprouts and Creamy Polenta topped with a Poached Egg
Third Course
Bourbon and Honey Poached Peach Tart filled with White Chocolate Ganache and topped with a Cinnamon Honey Whipped Cream
To experience Chef Jon Amann and see what it is like to dine at the “Best Chef of Chester County’s” restaurant, call 484-237-8179 to make a reservation. Find Amani’s BYOB at 105 E. Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown or online at www.amanisbyob.com.
Congrats to Chef Jon Amann for capturing the county’s culinary title for the second year in a row!
Photos courtesy of Allison Benford of Bonsai Doll Fern Photography.
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