Blackbird Modern Asian’s executive pastry chef Denise Elrod clinched her second win on The Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games, leading “Team Gluten” with chef and owner Jacob Town (of The Spoon Trade in Grover Beach, CA) to a unanimous decision and a $20,000 split. The episode, “Sweet & Savory Superstars,” aired Aug. 13 and will re-air Aug. 17 and Aug. 20 at 2 PM (EST).
For the first time ever, host Guy Fieri paired three past savory winners and three dessert winners for a first-of-its-kind battle between sweet-and-savory super teams. The randomly matched duos had one hour to make a sweet-and-savory appetizer, an upscale dinner, and dessert using only a single basket of groceries. The competing teams included Cameron Ingle and James Farnum, Kayla Robison and Jamal Lake (of Ganache Bakery in West Palm Beach), and Jacob Town and Denise Elrod.
For the entrée, Town presented a refined Steak “Oscar” with crab béarnaise and Yorkshire pudding that drew a spirited debate amongst the judges: one questioned the assertive tarragon, while another praised the dish as “fresh” yet “very luxurious.” Elrod’s dessert – a pièce de résistance of chocolate cake served with red wine vinegar reduction ice cream and bacon-hazelnut brittle – sparked raves:
“Finishing first for the second time on Guy’s Grocery Games was such a rush,” Elrod said. “We also had no idea we would be competing as partners, which the producers only told us before filming began.
“Working in a team environment at Blackbird, I wasn’t fazed. Jacob and I instantly clicked, powered through the 60-minute challenge, and came out on top. It was pure adrenaline and the celebration at Blackbird made it even sweeter. I’m ready for the next one!”
Guests can celebrate the victory with Elrod at Blackbird Modern Asian in Jupiter, FL., where her dessert will be featured on Blackbird’s dessert menu for the remainder of August.
Photo: Denise Elrod (Blackbird Modern Asian)