[photo source: Whole Foods Bergen County]

Ultimate Chef Bergen County 2015 was a go today with Round 1, featuring Chef Carlos Valdez of Oceanaire in Hackensack squaring off against Chef Giuseppe Lentini of Grissini in Englewood Cliffs. The chefs create four dishes for the event: the secret ingredient for the round was Mango.

Dishes by Chef Valdez
Napa Cabbage and Duck Confit Salad
Shrimp with Zucchini
Pulled Pork & Seared Tuna
Mango Cheesecake with Pretzel Crust

Dishes by Chef Lentini
Pumpkin Soup with Rock Shrimp
Tuna Carpaccio
Pork Tenderloin
Mango Gelato with Truffles

Chef Valdez won the round and will go up against the Round 2 winner in two weeks. Next week for Round 2 its Chef Ralph Perrotti of St. Eve’s in Ho-Ho-Kus against Chef Aldo Diaz of Morton’s in Hackensack. Same time, same place — which would be Chef Central in Paramus at 11:00am.