What's Happening in Naples, FL…

Celebrity chef Asif Syed, who owns Naples’ 21 Spices, is about to go head-to-head with world-famous chef Bobby Flay on the latter’s Food Network show, ‘Beat Bobby Flay’.

The half-hour show is a cooking competition. In the first round, two challengers face off against each other, preparing a dish that Flay chooses, and then the winner of that round goes up against Flay. In his episode, Syed faced Jordan Frosolone, a well-known chef from New York City, who has been influenced by the cuisine of Southern Italy.

The show is prerecorded, but Syed isn’t saying much, even keeping the results from his family. He did say it was a high-energy, high-stakes contest, but says he will let viewers decide what to think about the results.

Syed’s career has spanned 20 years, including 14 years at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, where he was the executive chef. At his restaurant 21 Spices, which he opened almost three years ago, Syed blends exotic techniques and flavors with his Indian heritage. His specialty is Mughlai cuisine, a type of food prepares for nobles in Northern India and Pakistan.

The episode airs September 20, and 21 Spices is holding a watch party. The restaurant is also celebrating its reopening, after some minor renovations. Organizers of events like this could use flyer printing to spread the word about the party.