TOTT: 'Naked Taco' Chef Gives Glimpse Into Grill-Off
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Celebrity Chef Ralph Pagano was teaching his taco secrets to former Miami Dolphins running back Mark Higgs recently.
The two will be one of the teams participating in John Offerdahls 6th Annual Broward Health® Gridiron Grill-off set for Saturday at The Pompano Beach Amphitheatre.
It's past and present Miami Dolphin players teamed with celebrity chefs.
"John Offerdahl, a dear friend of mine, puts together this selfless charity event where he brings in 25 chefs, 25 players where we go hand in the streets of Pompano Beach. Mark and I have teamed up for a special surprise," Pagano told CBS4's Lisa Petrillo.
Higgs said he's gearing up to be teamed up with this super energetic super chef.
"I'm gonna be gassed up. I'm ready and I'll be trying. I can't wait to taste the food too," Higgs said.
But what about before and after Saturday? For that Petrillo stopped into Pagano's popular rock and roll South Beach taco spot -'Naked Taco.'
The vibe is fun, laid back and sexy.
"The restaurant is 'Dia de los Muertos' (the day of the dead). It's rock and roll themed. We're open all day, all night, and a good time is had by all," Pagano said.
Pagano started with his signature "Holy Moly Guacomole!"
"We called it 'Holy Moly Guacamole' because those words usually come out of your mouth after you eat it. We use Florida lobster shrimp, and lump crab meat all together with tequila, lime, butter and that goes on top of the guacamole . It has no equal. It's the Mark Higgs of guacamole, " Pagano joked.
"Holy Moly Guacomole," Petrillo yelled out after tasting. "This is phenomenal, it doesn't taste like guacamole. It's a shrimp, lobster, crab explosion with avocado. It's got everything but the kitchen sink, but its light and delicious."
Then, she got a sneak peak of what the dynamic duo will be making at Gridiron Grilloff.
"We did a Key West pink shrimp, flash fry them in Sriracha aioli, toasted coconut , pickled jalapeno and a corn tortilla. Boom," Ralph exclaimed.
Boom is right!
"There is a crunch with the Key West shrimp, then a kick from the jalapeños and it's light and airy," Petrillo said.
Naked Taco is funky, fresh, and ready for the Grilloff! Oh and Petrillo is one of the judges.
Naked Taco is open seven days a week including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
As for John Offerdahl's Broward Health Gridiron Grilloff, it starts at 1 p.m. For more information, click here.
