Bobby Fitzgerald, chef and owner of White Chocolate Grill at the Vistas, said he was headed out for a run in Central Park to settle his nerves. After learning he was the winner of the ‘LIVE! with Regis and Kelly’ grilling contest, the Ultimate Hometown Grill- Off on June 22, the last 48 hours have been a whirlwind.

Arriving in New York on June 23 late in the evening after producers from the television show announced his Grilled Citrus Soy Glazed Salmon recipe won, he is now scheduled to appear on TV with talk show host Regis Philbin on June 26.

“I guess Kelly (Ripa) is on vacation,” Fitzgerald said with a laugh. “Darn.”

Fitzgerald was nominated for the contest by a fan in Phoenix, home of another White Chocolate Grill restaurant of his. Fitzgerald is also proprietor of Cinzzetti’s in Northglenn and Overland Park, Kan. Awards for these two restaurants have included Best Family Restaurant, Best Buffet and Best Restaurant for Kids, Fitzgerald said.

The contest consisted of having the nominated chef prepare a one-minute video telling the producers a little bit about the recipe, about the chef, and why they should be considered.

“My daughter Kate, who is 7, is probably the reason I won,” Fitzgerald said.

His daughter, who appears in the video with him, has accompanied her father on business trips, and he said she is his cooking partner.

The video features the two Fitzgeralds, blonde haired 7-year old Kate and her dad, Bobby, highlighting his seafood culinary skills at a young age, growing up near the Chesapeake Bay. The video showcases the co-chefs in their white culinary jackets, and ends with Kate giving him a big hug and kiss. He describes his love of cooking crab cakes, dating back to his youth in the video.

“Dancing Crab cakes, I called them back then when I was cooking before profit, are now on our menu at White Chocolate Grill,” Fitzgerald said.

Although Kelly will not be on the show with Fitzgerald, actor William Shatner will.

“My wife will be happy about that,” Fitzgerald said.

General Manager, Aaron Donnelly of the Lone Tree White Chocolate Grill said they saw the announcement of the exciting news from New York on June 23, and the restaurant employees and company were “totally ecstatic”.

The winning recipe was added to the menu a couple months ago, and it is one of our most popular items,” Donnelly said. “We are excited to be getting the national recognition.”

According to Donnelly, Executive Chef and business partner, Robert Kabakoff and Fitzgerald worked on the Grilled Citrus Soy Glazed Salmon recipe together.

“They definitely hit a grand slam with that one,” Donnelly said. For the ‘LIVE! with Regis and Kelly’ cooking segment, Kabakoff will be helping Fitzgerald with the prep work because the show only had enough room for one chef on the set.