Princeton Chef To Battle In Bahama Breeze’s Top Chef Competition

PRINCETON, NJ — A Princeton chef is among nine from Bahama Breeze restaurant locations in the northeast region who will battle it out for the coveted title of “Top Chef” and a $1,000 cash prize on April 2.

Jose Herrarte, a line cook at the Bahama Breeze location at 3535 Route 1, won the preliminary competition round held at the Princeton location before moving on to the final competition.

Herrarte has worked at the Princeton location for almost two years. He won the preliminary round with his signature dish “Ayarza Steak,” which is a filet mignon marinated in red wine and orange and served with a lobster tail, potato and corn puree.

Herrarte will now compete against eight other preliminary winners including defending champion Augusto Garcia from Paramus. This is the fourth year Bahama Breeze is hosting the competition.

Herrarte will present his dish to a panel of judges on April 2.

"I feel very excited for the opportunity to show my own recipe and show it to the public," Herrarte said.

General Manager of the Princeton location, David Viol, said he was also "very excited" for Herrarte to compete.

Guests will have a chance to also sample all the competing dishes during the event on April 2 at 5 p.m. at the Bahama Breeze, located at 320 Goddard Boulevard in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Tickets are $75 and include an open bar and sampling of nine dishes. Additionally, $25 of each ticket sold will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

For more information, visit the King of Prussia Bahama Breeze Facebook page or call 610-491-9822 to purchase tickets.

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