BYLINES BY SCOTT
WHO WOULD GURNEY’S CHEF SETH LEVINE BATTLE ON ‘IRON CHEF?’
Celebrating his first summer as executive chef at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, Seth Levine takes on the season with an Asian-inspired Montauk Fluke Crudo.
After appearing on Hell’s Kitchen with the fearsome Gordon Ramsay, nothing could scare chef Seth Levine—not Japanese Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, not even taking over the famous Seawater Grill at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa. With an eye toward reinstating this East End landmark, he’s relishing the challenge of overseeing the property’s culinary offerings while enjoying the spectacular surroundings. “Have you seen the view at Gurney’s?” he asks. “Give me a lounge chair and a lobster roll and I’m good to go!”
You’ve been cooking out East for a few years. What originally drew you here?
I have been coming to the Hamptons for 15 years. When I need to escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, there is no place I would rather be. I opened Georgica restaurant here five years ago, and the property itself is what drew me to pursue it.
You’re now helming food and beverage at an East End landmark. Is it scary?
I don’t think scary is the right word. It’s an exciting and massive project that requires a lot of work and a very large staff. We have 14 menus on the property now, and without the incredible team I have here, yes, it would be scary. But so far it’s only been exciting.
Would you ever go back on TV?
I doubt I would do another reality competition show. But something like Iron Chef or having a show on the Food Network, for sure.
If you could compete on Iron Chef, whom would you battle?
Masaharu Morimoto. He is a legend from the original show, and I would want to taste his creations over those of the other Iron Chefs.
What is your favorite village?
I have lived in almost every town here over the past 15 years and love them all for different reasons. Of course, now I’m in Montauk, which is incredible and by far the most relaxing of all.
If you could cook for anyone, who would it be?
My grandfathers, whom I never knew. And my grandmother, Evelyn, who passed away and never got a chance to come to my restaurants.
If you could invent a tool for the kitchen what would it be?
I wouldn’t mind if Apple taught Siri how to expo [dispatching orders to line cooks and coordinating how plates are sent to the dining room].
What don’t we know about you?
I love getting lost in the East End. Scenic drives relax me like nothing else.
Read the Article at Hamptons-Magazine.com HERE.
