Chef Seth Warshaw, owner of Etc. Steakhouse in Teaneck, N.J., won this year’s “Iron Chef”-style culinary competition at Kosherfest—the two-day trade show for everything kosher that attracted approximately 6,000 people to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, November 8-9.

Three chefs at top kosher restaurants in the New York metropolitan area, which also included Chef Moshe Wendel of Pardes Restaurant in Brooklyn and Chef Craig Solomon of Ariel’s in Englewood, N.J., were given 45 minutes to cook, plate and present a kosher dish that featured the mystery ingredient: boneless duck breast. Warshaw’s winning entrée, which earned him a $1,000 cash prize, included seared duck breast breaded with grapefruit and pomegranate, and red-onion salad with lime honey and avocado purée.


Judging the competition, which was based on taste, presentation and creativity, were Jack Silberstein, director of culinary and business operations at Jack’s Gourmet; Philippe Kaemmerle, lead pastry chef at The Center for Kosher Culinary Arts in Brooklyn; and Chaim Szmidt, editor-in-chief of The Kosher Scene. The competition was produced in partnership with The Center for Kosher Culinary Arts, which, in addition to hands-on cooking and baking classes for men, women and children, offers on-site demonstrations, private cooking lessons, small catered affairs and personal-chef work (www.kosherculinaryarts.com).

Kosherfest 2012 will be held November 13-14 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center with new events, programs and seminars. Get updates at www.kosherfest.com.