Robert Irvine Hosts, Nancy Atlas Rocks, Rumba Retains GrillHampton Crown

Repeating as a champion is tough in any arena, especially one in which the competitors are eight top chefs from the Hamptons squaring off against one another as well as eight chefs from New York City at Dan’s GrillHampton. But as the East End’s ultimate grill-off and tasting event kicked off Dan’s Taste of Summer Weekend on Friday night, Chef David Hersh and Rumba made it two in a row as they took home their second People’s Choice crown in as many years.

Returning with the Dominican Ribs (and a tasty side of stone ground grits) that won the title in 2013, Hersh seemed confident Rumba would at least contend again this year. “People really enjoyed them last year, so we’re sticking with what works,” he said minutes before the night’s food face-off began. “Winning was nice, but we’re just really excited to be here with so many great chefs all around.”

As GrillHampton host Robert Irvine mingled with guests, posing for photos and signing autographs and keeping the energy high, and the Nancy Atlas Project rocked under the big tent at Sayre Park in Bridgehampton on Friday night at the second annual grilling competition and tasting event, Rumba’s ribs faced some tasty competition from both returning GrillHampton grillmasters such as Le Rivage’s Paul Denamiel, who debuted his they’ll-be-talking-about-it-for-years L’Aristocrat Burger—La Frieda Denim Blue Blend with Montamore Cheese, Ventreche Bacon, and
Sir Kensington Mustard
on a Thomas’s English Muffin—and impressive event newcomers such as Smokin’ Wolf BBQ and Chef Arthur Wolf, who kept guests coming back for multiple tastes of his Grilled St Louis Ribs with Char Grilled Corn on the Cob dusted with Cotija Cheese and Chili Powder.

For the night’s other awards, the Judge’s Prize went to L’Apicio and Gabe Thompson for an incredible lamb sausage with yogurt sauce and grilled eggplant capponata, and the overall team title switched hands as Team NYC defeated Team Hamptons to exact some measure of revenge for last year—and set the stage for another smoky showdown next year.

If you were at GrillHampton, here’s a recap of the rest of the savory fare you enjoyed. If you weren’t, here’s what else you missed:

From Team Hamptons

A MANO, Chef Tom Schaudel: Grilled Rib Eye
”In the Style of Florence”

OLD STOVE PUB, Chef George Gounelas: Sliced New York Strip with a Makers Mark Steak Sauce and Homemade Hellenic Fries

DELMONICO’S OF SOUTHAMPTON, Chef Billy Oliva: BBQ Short Rib with Spicy Shrimp Slaw

HAMPTON’S #1 FOODIE, Chef Peter Ambrose: Endless Summer Rubbed La Plancha Grilled Duck Breast served over Corn and Parmesan spiked Grilled Polenta with Chili Pomegranate Citrus Drizzle

1 NORTH STEAKHOUSE, Chef Chris Cariello: Ribeye Duo—”Filet” of
Ribeye and a Ribeye Pinwheel Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Local Spinach, Served with Grilled Leeks and Roasted Marrow Bone

SMOKIN’ WOLF, Chef Arthur Wolf: Grilled St Louis Ribs with Char Grilled Corn on the Cob dusted with Cotija Cheese and Chili Powder

From Team NYC

TOLOACHE, Chef Julian Medina: Tacos de Costilla: Short Rib, Roasted Bone Marrow, Caramelized Onion- Jalapeno Salsa, Charred Mexican Corn Salad with Cotija Cheese and Chipotle

P.J. CLARKE’S, Chef Michael DeFonzo: Brazilian Pichana with Smoked Lobster Chimichurri

HILL COUNTRY BARBEQUE, Chef Elizabeth Karmel: Smoked & Grilled Tri-Tip Tacos with Summer Fixins’

COMMERCE RESTAURANT, Chef Harold Moore: Short Rib Tacos with Sweet Onion and Tomatillo Salsa

MARKET TABLE, Chef David Standridge: Spice Long Island Duck Breast with Local Peaches

T BAR NYC, Chef Ben Zwicker: Pepper Crusted Tuna, Grilled Fennel Sauce Au Poirre

See you all at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks on Saturday night, July 12, at Sayre Park in Bridgehampton!