Top Cheftestant Makes It To Park Slope

Former Top Chef contestant Mark Simmons has joined Park Slope’s all local, all the time grocery store turned restaurant Get Fresh Table and Market. Simmons, whom you may remember as the talented, softspoken guy from New Zealand who didn’t quite strike anyone with an ultra-competitive edge, has joined Juventino Avila’s locavore kitchen. Born and raised on a sheep farm, Simmons previously cooked with Avila at Double Crown. He cites work at a slaughterhouse when he was a teenager as an inspiration for cooking; Simmons and Avila are also currently appearing together as part of a nose-to-tail butchering/cooking package, part of an online benefit auction. Park Slope of late has sort of become the repatriation grounds for those returning from reality television land: One can now have dinner with Simmons at Get Fresh, then dessert with Naima “Next Top Model” Mora at Cocoa Bar on 7th Avenue.