Restaurants may be closed temporarily, but some of Bergen County's top chefs are still busy feeding residents (takeout anyone?) and workers on the front line of the pandemic. When they're not taking orders, these chefs are busy cooking up a storm in their own kitchens. Wondering what the top chefs are doing during quarantine? We asked five top Bergen County chefs what their new normal looks like these days.
Jamie Knott, Chef/Owner Saddle River Inn Saddle River, NJ
Staying to a simple but organized schedule, it's no wonder acclaimed Chef Jamie has made it possible to get healthier while working and being dad at home.
What are you eating at home?
Protein shakes. Bananas, apples, oranges, and wait for it .. potato chips. Yes, I’m ironic. I actually managed to lose 8 pounds so far.
What are you cooking at home?
Pasta, my kids love pasta. There is a great shop in Nutley. Mike’s Pasta Shop, I grab some fresh, handmade pasta and we have dinner in minutes.
What does your family like?
My wife and I like Houston’s, so as a once a week “day off” we’ll pick up Houston’s.
John Vitale, Chef/Owner, Caffe Anello Westwood, NJ
While working continuously, Chef Johnny has been donating meals to our police departments, lunches at schools for kids in need, and health care workers. He’s also enjoying the nostalgia of his Italian culture during the extra time at home.
What are you eating at home?
Lots of nostalgic, comfort foods to feel like it’s a day off. Italian throwbacks like spaghetti and meatballs, lots of ziti, manicotti.
What are you cooking at home?
Hahaha! It’s Sunday dinner everyday. Tons of red sauce based dishes - especially pork. When we want to be adventurous, a great shrimp dish.
What does your family like?
My mother in law makes a great meatloaf! So that’s always great to feed the family.
Heather Rozzi, Chef/Owner Stella Artisan and No. 12 Ridgewood, NJ
A true definition of working mama. All while still managing two restaurants, Chef Heather is soaking up all the perks of quarantine at home.
What are you eating at home?
Home cooked everything. Being home for a lengthy amount of time has allowed me to make absolutely everything my family and I eat. We still do the occasional store bought snacks, I like KIND bars and cashew nuts for my snack while the kids will eat popcorn, but for the most part we make as much as we can ourselves.
What are you cooking at home?
I’ve been cooking a lot of bread, soups, and desserts. For dinner we’ve been cooking “around the world.” It’s fun for my kids to get involved in the cooking and learn different ingredients and cuisines. For example, we’ve done a Mexican themed dinner where we made our own salsa, tortillas and pork carnitas. We’ve made Mongolian beef and even a German food such as schnitzel. It has been fun quality time for us as a family and their learning.
What does your family like?
The biggest thing my family loves is the bread and desserts. My four year old can tell you now that yeast needs sugar to rise. (Proud mama moment!) We just made a Black Forest cake together and we have been making all kinds of cookies from peanut butter to royal icing cookies. Breadsticks and Hawaiian rolls are also a huge hit!
Robbie Felice, Chef/Owner Osteria Crescendo, Westwood, NJ and Viaggio
Innovative super-Chef Robbie hasn’t skipped a beat. You can find him in the kitchen working to restructure, feed our frontline workers, and support fellow restauranteurs.
What are you eating at home?
I’m not home much, I’m working just as much now if not more than before this. I’ve actually been supporting other restaurant businesses for my meals through out the day at work. I’ll ask the guys, “hey where should we order lunch from today?” But I will say we did roast a whole pig the other day, so we were slingin’ sandwiches all day and it was great!
What are you cooking at home?
Not much cooking at home, I’ve been cooking for local hospitals and frontline workers. Big batches of pasta, things that are easy to make in bulk but a delicious meal for them to have. I have to keep working, changing up concepts in the way we dine, new recipes, staying positive and moving forward with what is needed.
What does your family like?
The fam is home cooking - my dad is a chef so he has been cooking a lot of dishes with ramps (a wild leek, combo taste of onion and garlic) and pizza.
Oggi Echavarria, Chef/Owner soon to open Cork & Crust Restaurant, Harrington Park NJ
We are so excited for this new eatery to open. Warning: viewing their Instagram feed can lead to hunger pangs.
What are you eating at home?
We're trying to support local businesses as much as possible by ordering out from places like Rosario's in Midland Park, Savini in Allendale and Kumo in Ridgewood, amongst many others.
What are you cooking at home?
We've also been cooking a lot at home, preparing for the opening of our restaurant. You can find some of those meals on our Instagram @corkandcrustrestaurant. Some of our favorites include our Baked Escargot Recipe with Fresh Pesto, Our Homemade Cacio E Pepe Over Chicken Milanese, Our Truffle Pasta with Artichoke Hearts and Cremini Mushrooms and Our Moules Frites served over French Fries.
