Chef Britt Rescigno still cooking for $150,000 on Food Network's 'Champions'
Britt Rescigno, a Jersey-born chef making a name for herself on Food Network's competition shows, cooked her way to a win on the season five premiere of "Tournament of Champions."
On Feb. 18, Rescigno beat James Beard award-winning chef Jonathon Sawyer, bringing her one step closer to the "TOC" belt and $150,000 prize.
The bracket-style competition show challenges chefs to cook with randomly assigned ingredients, equipment and cooking style. Rescigno and Sawyer were tasked with cooking a "silky" dish using ground beef, basil, graham crackers and a panini press.
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Rescigno's winning dish of guanciale-infused corn polenta topped with tomato sauce, basil oil, meatballs and whipped ricotta defeated Sawyer's beef sausage in a leek pocket with basil puree.
"I literally grew up next to my grandparents' restaurant, and working there since i was little kid, I grew up eating her meatballs," Rescigno, whose grandparents owned Allen's Clam Bar in New Gretna, said on the show. "I'm just here to make Grandma proud.
Their dishes were judged by chefs Susan Feniger, Geoffrey Zakarian and Carla Hall on taste, use of the random ingredients, and presentation. Zakarian liked the meatballs, Feniger enjoyed the silkiness of the dish, and Hall said the dish looked like a piece of art.
"I grew up watching these judges, and wanting the chance of one day, maybe, I could cook for them," Rescigno said on the show. "It's an amazing feeling."
Rescigno's dish received 78 points, and Sawyer's received 74.
Last year's competition: Chef Britt Rescigno's run ends on Food Network's 'Tournament of Champions'
A second shot at the title
This is Rescigno's second season on "Tournament of Champions." She was a contestant on season four, when she cooked her way from an eighth-seed position to the final four. She ultimately lost to Chef Maneet Chauhan in the semifinals.
Host Guy Fieri called her "the giant slayer" after Rescigno took down "TOC" champions Tiffani Faison and Jose Garces.
“Who would ever think that someone from New Gretna would be doing what I’m doing right now?" she told the Asbury Park Press after the loss. "For me, it’s being able to show people that small-town kids can really do something in life.”
Next week, Rescigno will be up against Marc Murphy, a chef, restaurateur and judge on Food Network's "Chopped."
"A culinary OG ... I've taken down a couple of them," she said of competing against Murphy. "I'm ready for some more."
"Tournament of Champions" airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on Food Network.
Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to [email protected].
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected], follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Food Network: Britt Rescigno keeps cooking on Champions show
