Ferah's Co-Founder, Chef Burak Ozcan, featured on the Food Network's "Supermarket Stakeout" Competition

Photo Courtesy of the Food Network

First airing on July 22, 2025, Chef Burak Ozcan competed against three other chefs on popular Food Network competition show, Supermarket Stakeout hosted by celebrity Chef, Alex Guarnaschelli. On the show, contestants must complete food challenges, in a supermarket parking lot, with a limited pantry of supplies and strangers' groceries. The twist? The competitors must convince customers who just finished shopped at the grocery store to hand over their grocery bags...for cash.

This episode, with the theme "No Utensils Needed" focused on handheld culinary experiences. "Four chefs need all hands on deck when Alex Guarnaschelli challenges them to deliver a dish that needs two hands to take down. Then, they hit the fryers to create fried finger food for judges Karen Akunowicz and Andy Baraghani. The finalists continue the utensil free-for-all by serving desserts on a stick."

When the Food Network first contacted Burak about the opportunity in 2023 he was thrilled. One of the show's producers found the Ferah Tex-Med Kitchen restaurants and was intrigued with the unique fusion and Burak's story. "Growing up in Turkey, I was excited to learn how much Food Network is a part of American culture. My wife, Stephanie, explained to me that it [Food Network] has been an innovator in the food industry and a household name for many decades."

Burak was excited to share his innovative Tex-Med cuisine with the judges. "After watching past episodes of the show I had a grocery purchasing strategy in mind going into the game. While the challenges would be a surprise, I knew I wanted to introduce my passion [Tex-Med cuisine] to a larger American audience."

Burak is no stranger to working under pressure. After spending decades in fast-paced full-service hotel and restaurant kitchens, he is used to racing against the clock. "It was my first time cooking in a parking lot so that was unique, but I love the challenge of something new. My brain thrives on solving problems...and making my own rules."

How about having to convince strangers to hand over the groceries they just shopped for? "Negotiating is part of Turkish culture," Burak said. "So bargaining for someone else's groceries was the easiest part of the competition. I loved seeing the surprise on customers' faces when we asked them [to buy their groceries]."

While Chef Burak did not take home the prize, he enjoyed the experience and seeing how TV shows are produced, behind-the-scenes. "Thank you to the Food Network and the team who produced the show. I can see they are all very hard-working people." An operations expert, Burak loves recognizing the work that goes on to make an event (or TV show) successful.

"Meeting and competing alongside chefs from across the U.S. was awesome. I am grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself and share my passion for all things culinary."

Curious to see who won? You can watch the episode on-demand: Supermarket Stakeout Season 6, episode 10.

Ready to experience Tex-Med cuisine for yourself? Visit Ferah's award-winning restaurants in Garland, Southlake, and Wylie, Texas. Bring the experience to your event by hiring Ferah's expert catering and bar services for your next special occasion in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Ferah Hospitality Group's founding partners, Burak Ozcan, Stephanie Ozcan, Heidi Berlin, and Jeremy Berlin