Cleveland Chef Makes it to the Finale

One of our favorite Cleveland Chefs survived the “chopping block” on one of my favorite Food Network shows, Chopped.  Chef Jonathon Sawyer of The Greenhouse Tavern won $10,000 on Chopped Grill Masters, the five-part grilling and barbecuing tournament that took place in the Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley. This also secures him a  spot in the finale, where he’ll have a shot at winning an additional $50,000 and will  face the next three Chopped Champions.

The show is famous for their unusual and exotic food baskets. During the 3 rounds, each chef receives a basket and is required to use every ingredient in the basket. Imagine cooking with the ingredients below!

Appetizer Round 
Ingredients: octopus, fruit pops, purple cauliflower, Italian sausage
Jonathon’s dish: Sweet and Savory Octopus with Mesquite-Grilled Cauliflower.

Entree Round
Ingredients: veal chops, pickled smoked okra, watermelon radishes, nachos
Jonathon’s dish: Oaxacan Block Party Veal Chop

Dessert Round 
Ingredients: honey gelato cones, petimezi, pineapple, Anaheim chiles
Jonathon’s dish: Hot and Spicy Pineapple with Cannoli Cream and Almond Crumble
(or as he called it “high-class cereal.”)