NAPLES CHEF SIZZLES IN REALITY TV COOK OFF
NAPLES, Fla – A Naples chef is celebrating his win over famed chef Bobby Flay in a reality TV show
Chef Asif Syed, owner of 21 Spices in East Naples was chosen to compete on the Food Network show “Beat Bobby Flay.”
“Everybody knows him, he’s fantastic, he’s very talented, so it was like a dream come true,” said Syed, who opened his restaurant 3 years ago.
The show chooses one chef to try and beat the celebrity chef at his own game.
“The format is, first round, you have a mystery ingredient, I got lamb chop.”
The judges passed Syed to the next round, where he had to challenge Bobby with his own signature dish, Tandoori Chicken.
“That’s an Indian Bar-b-que chicken, which is done on an open flame or a Tandoori oven, which is a clay pot oven.”
The judge’s stomachs were swayed, and Syed was declared the winner, but it was no cakewalk.
“At that time, with an iron chef, no matter how cool you try to be, Bobby Flay is Bobby Flay.”
Even though Chef Syed has become local celebrity in his own rite, he says his appearance on the show will benefit foodies all over Naples.
“Now Naples is all over the culinary map, people all around the country knows where Naples is and what kind of food it offers.”
Episodes of “Beat Bobby Flay” air Thursday’s at 10:00, and are available on the Food Network website.