Teddy Bryant wins Nickel City Firing Line Final - PHOTOS

LLoyd Taco sous chef Teddy Bryant battled Sample sous chef DJ Cook in the final round of the Nickel City Firing Line competition at Artisan Kichens & Baths. From the judges, to the hosts, to those sitting in the audience; Artisan Kitchens & Baths was filled with some of Buffalo's finest chefs, restauranteurs, and food lovers. The event was hosted by Bert Gambini, Chef Mike Andrzejewski(Tsunami, Seabar, Cantina Loco, and Mike A), with special co-host Chef Adam Goetz (Sample). The judges included Julia Burke (Buffalo Spree restaurant critic), Andrew Galarneau (Buffalo News restaurant critic) and Chef Steven Gedra (Bistro Europa).

The round one offering from chef Cook was ricotta gnocchi with a ragu of San Marzano tomatoes, red wine, and steak and potatoes with rutabaga mash and picked cipollini onions. The judges liked Cook's presentation but they loved chef Bryant's offering of cast iron seared steak, crust of cipollini onions and other herbs; with creamy grits made with mascarpone and butter, rutabaga cooked in bacon fat, and onions cooked in garlic. Round one went to chef Bryant.

In Round 2 they each had to make a desert using apples within 20 minutes. The round two offering from Chef Bryant was French Toast with custard of eggs, milk, nutmeg, vanilla and caramel sauce with vanilla bean, diced apple, and yogurt sorbet with sauteed apples. Chef Cook's desert was a maple and apple waffle with a peanut brittle and a hot ice cream with berries, cinnamon and red wine, topped with maple whipped cream. Again the judges favored chef Bryant and the 2012 Firing LIne Champion was crowned. Check out photos of the action as well as the family, friends, and fans of the two chefs who were out in equal numbers to support their favorite firing line competitors.