Beloved North Fork Chef Competes On 'Beat Bobby Flay' Thursday

GREENPORT, NY — Stephan Bogardus, executive chef at The Halyard in Greenport, will be competing on "Beat Bobby Flay" Thursday night.

The episode appears on The Food Network at 10 p.m.

The premise of the show centers on a competition between two chefs who must use an ingredient chosen by celebrity chef Flay. A special guest judge chooses the winner, who then progresses to a face off with Flay.

Describing the evolution his appearance on the show, Bogardus thanked publicist Helen Patrikis for her guidance. "She is amazing. She got me in touch with a casting producer and all I needed was the introduction. I enjoy making people fall in love with food and do it well in conversation," he said.

The experience afforded memorable moments, Bogardus said. "The first was having my mom and dad behind me — that was so nice and I loved their support. The second was, I was practicing meditation deeply around the time of the taping and I had two good sits consisting of about 30 minutes on set in between taping sessions; I felt to be in a great place."

Lastly, Bogardus added, "I feel so grateful for the success the community has given me. Inside, my heart is filled with love and joy over how I am embraced as a culinary leader in our foodscape. Time sensitive contest are very challenging to show true skill but a different kind of skill is required for a chef to be successful. Diversity is beautiful and working on all the pieces of ourselves was a great opportunity."

Bogardus will join with family and close friends to watch the episode Thursday night at Borghese Vineyard's tasting room — surrounded by the North Fork community that means so much.

Before The Halyard, Bogardus was a beloved face at The North Fork Table & Inn. The North Fork Table was Bogardus' first job out of culinary school, and the experience shaped him, he has said.

"I knocked on the door of the North Fork Table and was hired by Gerry Hayden. . . Gerry was an incredible chef and he had a profound influence on me. He instilled in me his values: Buy the best, work with the best, always focus on what you're doing and constantly improve. His culinary talent, his point of view, and his ideas on how to manipulate food were extraordinary, but what stands out the most was the way he handled himself. He was constantly evaluating himself, always progressing and striving to improve. Very few people work that hard at adapting themselves to become the individual they want to be. "

Early in his career, a chef and mentor suggested culinary school and explained the potential within the food service community, he said; he looked into the "possibilities and expansiveness" of the industry, learned about refined cuisine and the Culinary Institute of America, where he studied, and then, the Michelin Guide. "I was hooked!" he said.

Bogardus, born and raised in Cutchogue, said being raised in a seasonally driven community such as the North Fork, "I felt it was important to spread my wings and explore what else was out there." He initially left Long Island and went to work for Daniel Boulud's Dinex Group in Florida, and then for a country club in upstate New York before coming back to the North Fork Table & Inn in 2017.

When he took the reins at the North Fork Table and Inn in 2017, Bogardus discussed his path with Patch — and how profoundly impacted his life had been by Hayden, whose death in 2015 after a battle with ALS was a forever loss to the community.

Bogardus said being a chef was something he's aspired to since he was a small boy.

"I think my path was set in my childhood. When I was 3 or 4 years old, my mom would let me cut vegetables for our holiday meals. I even had my own station on a cutting board that would pull out from the counter," he said.

In 2018, Bogardus shared his life-altering odyssey and experience in India with Patch. The images and memories of his journey were deeply entwined in his consciousness forever and Bogardus also brought home an array of spices for his menu, along with memories emblazoned on his heart forever.

Bogardus, who recently became engaged to love Allegra Borghese, has infused his culinary creations with his passion for excellence and international influences. But the siren song of the North Fork is an ever-present refrain.

The North Fork holds a special place in Bogardus' heart, first and foremost, because he's able to be close to his family, Bogardus has told Patch in past interviews.

"I love the people — from fellow restaurant employees, childhood friends, farmers, fishermen, vineyard employees and more. . .There's also the land itself. Being out here is peaceful and tranquil — and there's a deep connection and respect for the land," he said.