Duarte, who owns Ariane Kitchen & Bar in Verona with her husband Michael and John McEvoy, faced off against Chef Adil Fawzi of Manhattan’s Bistro 61, Marche du Sud and La Frite in a first round based on chestnuts. Duarte made a Christmas classic, chestnut soup, while her competitor went for a riff on pasta carbonara.
Duarte won, earning the right to face Flay in a second based on a signature dish of her choosing: beef tenderloin. Racing against the clock, Duarte created a classic Béarnaise sauce and finished her tenderloin with maitake mushrooms and blue cheese. Flay went his signature south-of-the-border route, swirling red and green chile sauces around his tenderloin. The judges wanted a touch more blue cheese from Duarte, but thought Flay’s sauces were overpowering: Duarte for the win.
Duarte was magnanimous in victory. “This is how we do it in Jersey,” she said. “Merry Christmas!”
Oh, and one more thing Bobby: She says “Happy Birthday”.
Very Proud of the woman Ariane grew up to be. She just makes me smile.
Congratulations!! We heard you won on “Beat Bobby Flay” that aired last night. We are looking for a re-airing of this episode, but cannot find it. Can you tell me when it is re-airing?
Many thanks,
Rainie
Rainie, it’s not easy to find (probably because they didn’t call the episode “Ariane Beats Bobby”) but there is a page for this show on the Food Network site with all the times when it will air again. All late night or overnight, so you’ll probably have to set the DVR. You can also watch it on FoodNetwork’s YouTube channel, but it looks like it will cost $1.99.