Sarasota restaurant owner battles Iron Chef in Food Network’s ‘Alex vs America’

As if running two downtown Sarasota restaurants doesn’t create enough pressure, Christopher Covelli, executive chef and co-owner of both Sage and Bijou Garden Cafe, is taking on an Iron Chef in a competition on the Food Network’s “Alex vs. America.”

Covelli and two other chefs from restaurants in New York and New Jersey who specialize in Italian cuisine, will be competing against Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli in the “Alex vs Italian” episode that airs at 9 p.m. Sunday.

The network describes Guarnaschelli, who has served as a recurring judge on Chopped,” hosted “Supermarket Stakeout” and is a co-host of “The Kitchen,” as “the most feared and accomplished competition cook in America.” She is the executive chef of Butter restaurant in New York City.

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In the series, she faces three chefs in two rounds of cooking. Judges Evan Funke and Antonia Lofaso determine who wins in a blind tasting. The winner gets bragging rights and a $15,000 prize.

“This may sound arrogant, but is not meant to be, for a real chef who is constantly thriving to challenge themselves, this is a time to go up against someone like Alex Guarnaschelli, an Iron Chef, and see how good you are,” Covelli said.

The chefs had no advance notice of what they would be asked to do.

“I always feel like I am well prepared in any kitchen environment. My challenge to myself was getting through the competition but most of all, creating the best possible plate I could,” he said.

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Covelli and his business partner Sharon Carole opened the multi-level Sage in the historic Sarasota Times building on First Street in 2019. Last year, they took over the popular Bijou Cafe when chef J.P Knaggs retired and renamed it Bijou Garden Cafe, which opened in November. He said both restaurants are thriving after some business downturn during the pandemic.

Covelli is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York and has run other kitchens, worked as a private chef and spent four years cooking for the Baltimore Orioles during spring training.

He appeared on the first season of “Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off,” working as the sous chef to celebrity competitor Lou Diamond Phillips, who won a $50,000 prize that went to charity. Covelli also appeared on one of Bobby Flay’s many shows.

Covelli said he hopes the competition leads to appearances on other Food Network shows.

“Having exposure like this nationally, is good not only for me professionally but for the restaurants as well,” he said, adding he has ideas for his own show that might involve how he could help improve service and operations at other restaurants.

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota chef vs. Iron Chef: Restaurant owner competes in Alex vs America