Long Island chef Eric LeVine to compete on Food Network's 'Alex vs. America'

Chef Eric LeVine is looking for redemption on the Food Network this Sunday. The chef of Farmingdale’s 317 Main Street and the newly opened Vico will be competing on "Alex vs. America," in which celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli goes up against three chefs focusing on one ingredient (in this case: pork).

LeVine has been harboring a desire to vanquish Guarnaschelli for more than 10 years, ever since she was the judge who sent him home the last time he was on the Food Network. That was the first round of the "Chopped" Tournament of Champions in 2011 when he was eliminated after trying to create an entree from wreck fish, sabudana poha (Indian tapioca), green tomatoes and huitlacoche (Mexican corn fungus).

Since 2011, LeVine, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and protégé of David Burke, ran a number of award-winning New Jersey restaurants before landing in Farmingdale in 2019 to open 317 Main Street, a sprawling space encompassing a restaurant, bar, entertainment venue and gourmet market. Earlier this year he opened Vico, a Southern Italian restaurant, right next door.

"Alex vs. Pork" premieres on the Food Network at 9 p.m. on Sunday. (Additional airings on Aug. 9 at midnight, Aug. 9 at 1 p.m., Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. and Aug. 22 at 4 p.m.). 317 Main Street will be hosting a viewing party on Sunday and serving samples of the items LeVine cooked during the competition. Seating is limited so call the restaurant for reservations.

317 Main Street is at 317 Main St., Farmingdale, 516-512-5317, 317mainstreet.com