An Annual "Iron Chef" Style Cooking Competition for Charity, Chef Rick Puts On a Show with Wild Boar

    Congratulations to Juliette Falls Executive Chef, Rick Alabaugh. "Chef Rick" was the runaway winner of the First Annual Culinary Combat. Culinary Combat is an annual "Iron Chef" style cooking competition held in Ocala for charity. Like Iron Chef, the competitors were given a secret ingredient, Wild Boar, an hour of prep time and were asked to prepare an appetizer, entrée and dessert. This year, over $100,000 was raised for Kimberly's Cottage, an Ocala based charity for disadvantaged kids.

    "The wild boar was an interesting challenge. I enjoyed the spirit of the competition and the experience of working with a challenging ingredient. This is a fantastic event for a great cause and I'm proud to be involved, can't wait for next year," said Executive Chef Rick Alabaugh, Juliette Falls Golf Club.

    Chef Rick showcased his genius from the first course with his Thai inspired Wild Boar medallions on sautéed baby greens with blood orange vinaigrette served with mango and papaya chutney. The second course was Pork Cordon Bleu stuffed with ricotta cheese and green and red peppers, sautéed Vidalia onions served with sun dried tomato polenta and an avocado and jalapeno puree sauce. Chef Rick sealed the victory with his dessert, Pineapple and Banana Ravioli topped with fried pork fat tossed in cinnamon, sugar and vanilla.

    "I can attest to Chef Rick's genius from personal experience. I took my wife to his Valentine's Day dinner and it was without a doubt one of the finest meals I have ever had. Romeo's Restaurant is hands down the best restaurant in the area. I'm not surprised he won, he's very creative and talented," said Elvis Anderson, VP of Advertising, Legendary Marketing.

To experience the culinary genius of Chef Rick Alabaugh at, call 1-352-522-0309 for Romeo's Restaurant reservations.

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