Does chef Stephan Bogardus have what it takes to beat Bobby Flay? Tune in to the Food Network Thursday to find out.
After catching the attention of a casting director last year, the 31-year-old executive chef at the Halyard Restaurant in Greenport is scheduled to appear on the food competition show, “Beat Bobby Flay,” which pits two chefs against each other for a chance to face off against celebrity chef Bobby Flay.
Each half-hour episode begins with two chefs competing to create a dish using a mystery ingredient selected by Flay. Celebrity chef judges determine the winner of the first round, who goes on to challenge Flay. The winner of a blind taste test selected by a panel of professional chef judges at the end of round two gets bragging rights.
Although Bogardus couldn’t divulge details about how far he went in the competition or what he cooked, he sounded positive in an interview about the competition Monday. “It is always a great experience to meet new people and have the opportunity to represent the culinary scene on the North Fork,” he said.
Bogardus believes in mise en place, a French culinary term that translates to “everything in its place.” He drew on that mantra, not only when readying his kitchen space, but in mentally preparing for the competition. He said he went to bed early the night before and practiced yoga for two-hours before filming began at a Brooklyn studio from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Culinary Institute of America graduate is no stranger to showing off his culinary skills on national television. He has previously appeared on another popular Food Network competition show, “Chopped,” in 2013 while he was chef de cuisine at North Fork Table & Inn. In 2017, he went on “The Today Show” to demonstrate how to make a lobster roll.
“I was nervous the first time,” he said. “But I have gotten more comfortable. If there is a camera, I want to be in front of it. Cooking is my focus and TV is extracurricular.”
Bogardus is competing against noted Delware chef Bill Clifton, who is currently the executive chef and co-owner of the Counting House in Georgetown, but was the executive chef of the Henlopen City Oyster House in Rehoboth Beach when the show was taped last March. Bogardus, at the time, was still executive chef at North Fork Table and Inn in Southold.
“Beat Bobby Flay” is on Thursday, May 2 at 10 p.m. on The Food Network.
