Chef Central of Paramus has announced the lineup of Chef Competitors for the first ever Ultimate Chef New Jersey (UCNJ) competition, formerly called Ultimate Chef Bergen County sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

On Saturday, January 9th, representing Union County, Chef Don Macmath of Twin Brooks Country Club in Watchung will square off against the Bergen County representative, Chef Todd Villani of Terre a Terre Restaurant in Carlstadt.

On Saturday, January 16th, representing Passaic County, Chef Josh Bernstein of Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas in Clifton will square off against the representative from Essex County, Chef Justin Manzi of The Pig and Prince Restaurant in Montclair.

The two winners of these rounds will then face each other in the semi-finals on Saturday, January 23 an then on Saturday, January 30, the winner of that round will then face the reigning UCBC Champion Chef Carlos Valdez of The Oceanaire Seafood Room in Hackensack for the title of Ultimate Chef New Jersey 2016 Champion.

All events start at 11:00 am and admission is free to the public and there is very limited seating. Chefs will be given a mystery ingredient that must be a major part of each of the four courses they submit for judging. Audience members will receive tasting samples of two of each chef’s four dishes. Judges will score each dish on taste, presentation, cooking skills, innovation and degree of difficulty. The chef who has a winning score on a majority of scorecards will win.