NAPLES, FL—Blackbird Modern Asian’s executive pastry chef Denise Elrod clinched her second win on The Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games, leading “Team Gluten” with chef and owner Jacob Town (of The Spoon Trade in Grover Beach, CA) to a unanimous decision and a $20,000 split. The episode, “Sweet & Savory Superstars,” aired August 13 at 9 PM (EST) and will re-air August 17 and August 20 at 2:00 PM (EST).

For the first time ever, Guy Fieri paired three past savory winners and three dessert winners for a first-of-its-kind battle between sweet-and-savory super teams. The randomly matched duos had one hour to make a sweet-and-savory appetizer, an upscale dinner, and dessert using only a single basket of groceries. The competing teams included Cameron Ingle and James Farnum, Kayla Robison and Jamal Lake (of Ganache Bakery in West Palm Beach), and Jacob Town and Denise Elrod. 

For the entrée, Town presented a refined Steak “Oscar” with crab béarnaise and Yorkshire pudding that drew a spirited debate amongst the judges: one questioned the assertive tarragon, while another praised the dish as “fresh” yet “very luxurious.” Elrod’s dessert—a pièce de résistance of chocolate cake served with red wine vinegar reduction ice cream and bacon-hazelnut brittle—sparked raves: “I can’t stop eating it,” said one judge; another called it “sunshine on a cloudy day,” while a third deemed it “really magnificent.” After all three teams presented, the panel’s decision was swift and unanimous: Denise and Jacob for the unprecedented win.

“Finishing first for the second time on Guy’s Grocery Games was such a rush,” says Denise Elrod. “We also had no idea we would be competing as partners, which the producers only told us before filming began.” She continues: “Working in a team environment at Blackbird, I wasn’t fazed. Jacob and I instantly clicked, powered through the 60-minute challenge, and came out on top. It was pure adrenaline and the celebration at Blackbird made it even sweeter. I’m ready for the next one!”

Click HERE for Denise’s bio and headshot.

Click HERE for a clip of Denise and Jacob presenting their 3-course dinner to the judges on Guy’s Grocery Games. 

Click HERE for a clip of the winner’s reveal on Guy’s Grocery Games. 

Blackbird opens daily for dinner at 4 p.m. Entertainment and a live DJ are featured on Friday and Saturday evenings from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The restaurant also hosts a daily happy hour menu with half-priced cocktails, wine, and beer on Monday from 4 p.m. until close and Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Blackbird Modern Asian is located at 1511 N. Old Dixie Highway, Jupiter, FL 33469. For more information or reservations, visit blackbirdmodernasian.com, call 561-589-7505, or email info@blackbirdmodernasian.com. Follow on social media at @blackbird.fl.