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Ten Star Chefs Shine in Houston


The ten competing young chefs: (Front) Ruggero Massetti and Dennis Cheng-Koon Teo. (Middle) Joey
Pesner, Lance Warren, Brian Bernstein,  Dominick Vastino, Jeremy Zimmerman,
and Christian Bugglesheim. (Back) Jarin Otake and Lauren Saltsman.
Texas-size hospitality reigned supreme as 10 young culinarians galloped into Houston, saddlebags filled with dreams, talent, and anticipation. The scene was a cross between the tension of High Noon and a heady Gold Rush. In this case, the "gold" represented the medallion presented to the top Jeune Commis (young chef) in the United States. 
  
Contenders (all regional winners) gathered at he University of Hilton on the afternoon on May 14, 1999, to go over the competition rules and regulations, meet the judges, and draw for starting times. Sun-up on the 15th triggered the starting gun. One by one, at their appointed staggered start times, each chef was presented with his mystery market basket with the understanding that all contents were to be utilized. Menus were then designed and filed with the judges  within the  30-minute allotted time. Each then was given 2-1/2 hours to prepare three courses for four people. An additional 30-minute window was then allowed to present each of  the creations to a panel of judges. Competitors were scored on taste (20 points), presentation (10 points), originality (10 points), and kitchen organization and  cleanliness (10 points).

 
When the last chef was finished, the kitchen camaraderie was never sweeter. Then it was back to the bunkhouse Hilton to gussy up for the black tie evening that followed. That night, at a special awards dinner, came the announcement they had all nervously awaited. Conseiller Culinaire Claes Andersen did the honors, first presenting the bronze medal to Christian Buggelsheim of Hamilton, Bermuda, and then awarding the silver medal to Joey Pesner of Tustin, California. First place and winner of the coveted gold medal, as well as a berth in the 1999 International Jeune Commis Competition in Paris in October, was twenty-six year old Brian Bernstein of St. Louis, Missouri. - Ellen Hughes, Chargée de Presse des Etats-Unis.
 

National Finalists
 by Region

Northeast
Lauren Saltsman
Friends Lake Inn
Chestertown, New York

Mid-Atlantic
Dominick Vastino
Le Petit Chateau
Bernardsville, New Jersey

South Central
Jeremy Zimmerman
The Wild Boar Restaurant
Nashville, Tennessee

Southeast
Cheng-Koon Teo
Turnberry Isle Resort and Club
Aventura, Florida

Caribbean/Atlantic Islands
Christian Buggelsheim
Southampton Princess
Southampton, Bermuda

Midwest
Brian Bernstein
Old Warson Country Club
St. Louis, Missouri

Southwest
Warren Lance Marshall
Abuso Catering Company
Houston, Texas

Pacific Northwest
Ruggero Massetti
Campton Place Restaurant
San Francisco, California

Far West
Joey Pesner
Hotel Laguna
Laguna Beach, California

Hawaii/Pacific Islands
Jarrin Otake
Sam Choy's Breakfast
Lunch and Crab
Honolulu, Hawaii



Winner
 Brian Bernstein

Mystery Basket
 Filet of Sole
Rack of Lamb
White Asparagus
Prawns
Morel Mushrooms
Raspberries
Mango
Dark Chocolate

Winning Menu
 Pan-seared Sole
King Prawns, Mushroom Ragout, White Asparagus,
and Parsley Cream
Roast Rack of Lamb
Shipped Potatoes, Buttered Vegetables, and 
Port Wine Reduction
Frozen Lemon Soufflé
Mango and Strawberry Relish


 

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