Good Samaritan Nursing Home's Head Chef Dan Erwin of Patchogue recently participated in the J. Kings Food Service Professionals Food Show held at Hofstra University. Dan came in first place in the health care category and second place overall.

The competition consisted of 20 contestants, who were each provided with a "mystery basket" containing different ingredients to challenge speed, resourcefulness and creativity. The chefs were given 45 minutes to prepare a meal from scratch with the contents of the "mystery basket" as well as some common pantry items. Contestants were judged based on entrée taste, appearance, originality/creativity, ingredient compatibility, nutritional value, mechanics, sanitation and technique. Judges included deli owners, restaurant managers and chefs.

Erwin prepared pomary mustard and fresh herb crusted halibut with a lemon butter sauce, rosemary shallot roasted red new potatoes and sautéed green and white asparagus spears with red pepper in a portabello mushroom cap.

"The Food Show competition just reminded me of one of the reasons why I wanted to come into health care. I believe there is no reason why hospitals and nursing homes can't provide the same quality of food and presentation as large scale hotels and five-star restaurants," Erwin explained.

Erwin joined the Good Samaritan Nursing Home as chef in 2004. He is responsible for supervising and preparing nutritious and appetizing meals for the residents and the staff at the nursing home. Erwin graduated from Johnson and Wales University in 1985 and has more than 30 years of experience in the food service industry working in private clubs, resorts, restaurants and health care.

The Good Samaritan Nursing Home is located at 101 Elm St., Sayville, one block from the Great South Bay. The 100-bed facility has been part of Good Samaritan since 1980. The residents of the Nursing Home are a medically complex population requiring the full-time care only a skilled nursing facility can provide.