Iron Chef ... under wraps

Speaking of Iron Chef America … a Hudson Valley chef, Peter X. Kelly, battled it out with Iron Chef Bobby Flay in a Food Network show that will air later this spring. Liz Johnson, food editor at The Journal News in Westchester, has more about that on her blog.

Of course, all the real details (like who won and especially, the secret ingredient) have to stay under wraps until the show airs. I’m sure it’s going to be difficult for the chef to stay quiet until then. A few years ago I traveled to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico to write an article about the food scene. My stops included the acclaimed Nuevo Latino seafood restaurant Aguaviva, one of three places on the island that were headed by the energetic up-and-coming chef Roberto Trevino. On the night that I was there, Trevino had just returned from facing Mario Batali on Iron Chef America, and I could tell just how hard it was for him not to share all the juicy details! His staff was promoting the show with postcards on each table but he couldn't answer any questions posed by his customers. It didn’t affect his expertise in the kitchen, however. I enjoyed an excellent meal at Aguaviva, including the best fresh pineapple mojito and a sampler of ceviches (citrus marinated seafood salads) that showed not only the chef’s expertise but also the advantage of eating seafood on an island – it was so fresh!