Riverhead, NY - December 12, 2016 - Southampton’s Hector Franco won Suffolk County Community College’s Chopped-like culinary competition, Battle for the Beach, with a tasty pan seared chicken with natural au jus. The competition was held last Friday at the college's Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center in Riverhead.

Student contestants were presented with a mystery basket of ingredients that they had turn into a mouth-watering dish in just 90 minutes. The competition is similar to the popular reality television show “Chopped” airing on the Food Network. 


Photo: Hector Franco.

Top Chef Franco won a seven-night stay at the Sheraton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater, Fla., and an opportunity to work under the supervision of the resort’s executive chef.  The prize includes round-trip airfare and ground transportation.