Aramark Sports + Entertainment (Aramark; NYSE: ARMK) is celebrating a culinary victory. Chef Ron Abell, the Senior Executive Chef at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, has emerged as the winner of the latest episode of Food Network’s Guy's Grocery Games, titled "Baseball Stadium Food Fight."
In the thrilling episode, which aired on Wednesday, April 2, executive chefs from four major league baseball parks competed in a series of culinary challenges. Among the competitors were two other talented chefs from Aramark Sports + Entertainment: Chef Jason Eksterowicz, Senior Executive Chef at Citi Field, and Chef Gunnar Steden, Regional Executive Chef and Culinary Development Director, West Region.
In the first inning, Guy Fieri spun two food wheels to determine which stadium classics the chefs had to mash up. With the wheels landing on chicken wings and tacos, the chefs created their own distinctive renditions of a Chicken Wing Taco. Chef Gunnar prepared an elevated buffalo wing taco with fresh pico de gallo and a buffalo wing “lollipop.” Chef Jason crafted an over-the-top grilled buffalo wing taco with gorgonzola cheese and chicken skin chicharrónes, topped with pickled celery and carrot slaw. Chef Ron made a classic buffalo wing taco with slaw, blue cheese, and Mexican crema. After a taste test from judges Maneet Chauhan, Tiffani Faison, and Troy Johnson, the Aramark chefs who advanced to the next round were Chef Ron and Chef Gunnar.
The competition heated up in the last inning, where the chefs were asked to create a box-seat baller dish worthy of ballpark VIPs using only ingredients that fit in a baseball helmet. Adding a twist to the challenge, Hunter Fiery, dressed as a food vendor, informed the chefs that each dish must incorporate a peanut product, offering them a selection of items to choose from. Rising to the occasion, Chef Gunnar crafted an Asian surf and turf ramen with lobster, scallops, and tenderloin, enhanced by peanut butter candy. Chef Ron, on the other hand, concocted a delectable scallop corn chowder with leeks, potatoes, and the surprising addition of peanut butter ice cream. The creamy texture of this unexpected ingredient ultimately secured Chef Ron's victory.
As the winner, Chef Ron had the chance to solve Guy Fieri’s clues during a final shopping spree. The clues led Chef Ron through the grocery store to find a naval orange, pinto beans, tortilla chips, and a corn dog as the timer dwindled to zero. His quick thinking and ability to find 4 out of the 5 grocery items earned him a grand prize.
