Orange Squirrel Chef Wins Reality Show Competition

Francesco Palmieri, owner of Bloomfield's the chef and owner of Bloomfield restaurant The Orange Squirrel, came out on top on Sunday night.

This weekend, Palmieri competed on the premiere episode of the Food Network’s new show, Cutthroat Kitchen, hosted by Food Network regular Alton Brown.  

The show, which debuted this year, is a twist on the cooking show competition. Chefs have to rely on wit and cunning as much as their cooking skills.  In the game, each contestant receives $25,000 to spend over the course of the game on auction items to help themselves or sabotage their competitors.

After each cooking challenge is given, chefs gather ingredients in the pantry before regrouping for an auction to bid on strategic items such as the exclusive use of salt or not allowing their opponents to taste their dishes.  After each of the three rounds, the last competitor to survive wins the money they have left in their bank.

Palmieri relied on his cunning, wits and ability to nail dishes ranging from spaghetti and meatballs to donuts to win the show.

Palmieri is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a veteran of celebrated restaurants Windows on the World and TOWN.

For nearly five years he has pursued his own vision of fine dining at Bloomfield Avenue’s the Orange Squirrel, creating upscale contemporary American comfort cuisine with European accents.