Local Chef Sets out to 'Beat Bobby Flay' on the Food Network

Date Published: December 11, 2018

Northern Dutchess is home to Mercato Osteria and Enoteca, a beautiful, upscale Italian kitchen serving up a seasonal, local and organic menu. The man behind the food is chef and owner, Francesco Buitoni, a seventh-generation pasta maker and two-time James Beard nominee. For twelve years he’s been pumping out delicious cuisine that includes dishes like local kale salad, squid ink tonarelli and Tuscan style braised wild boar. Now, he’s putting his skills the test to see if he can ‘Beat Bobby Flay’.

For those not familiar with the popular Food Network show, now in its 18th season, two chefs go head-to-head, creating dishes using Bobby’s secret ingredient, before being critiqued by a panel of judges. The winner of this round will move on challenge Bobby Flay with their signature dish to see who will be crowned the winner. No stranger to publicity, Mercato has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Departures Magazine, The Poughkeepsie Journal, The Valley Table among others. In the final episode of season 18 airing January 3, 2019, chef Buitoni (spoiler alert!) advances to the final round to spar against the celebrity chef. But you'll have to tune in to find out who takes the victory!

Buitoni hails from Rome, Italy, and his family founded Buitoni in 1827, the iconic pasta company that was acquired by Nestle in 1988. He is the chef and, along with his partner, Michele Platt, owner of Mercato Osteria and Enoteca in Red Hook, a Hudson Valley favorite bringing the Italian lifestyle and all its charms to the those that know and love it.

If you are interested in dining at Mercato, it is located at:

61 E. Market Street
Red Hook, New York

The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday with the following hours:

Wednesday & Thursday    5:00-9:30 pm
Friday & Saturday             5:00-10:00 pm
Sunday                              5:00-9:00 pm

To view the full menu, click here.