Barret Beyer Lends Culinary Skills To Devastated Oklahoma

Sachem alum and former contestant on FOX’s “Hell’s Kitchen” Barret Beyer recently returned from a trip to Oklahoma where he helped a team of chefs raise funds for families displaced by the devastating tornado that touched down in the state.

Describing the trip as an “awesome experience” Beyer teamed up with sausage giant Johnsonville and Crest Foods to help cook, serve and sell hundreds of bratwurst with all proceeds going to select families impacted by the twister.

The trip almost didn't happen for Beyer, who recently parted ways with his job at Bread & Butter Bistro on North Ocean Avenue in Holtsville. Beyer said his time off helped free him up for the opportunity.

“I’m sitting on the couch and I was like I have to do something,” Beyer said. “I’m not working. Coming from a military background it’s been instilled in me. I’m the type of person who will give you the shirt off my back.”

Through Beyer’s contact with 5 Star Chefs, a personal chef service company, he was put in touch with Johnsonville, who had organized a 65-foot trailer that converts into a mega-grill to travel to Moore, Okla. But with the massive influx of volunteers offering their services to Johnsonville, the company wouldn't entertain paying Beyer’s way to the region.

That’s when Beyer took to Facebook and asked if anyone would be interested in sponsoring the trip. Lo and behold, he got some takers. Most notably, Ryan Vargo and Lenny Moyger. Vargo is the owner of Covert Entertainment, a party planning and package service. Moyger works with System Nite Club in Long Island City, Queens. The two men stepped up and funded the effort.

“They were awesome,” Beyer said. “They got me the flight, the hotel, the rental car and got me there so I can do my thing.”

While Beyer was there he got a first-hand look at the devastation. It reminded him of his visit to Long Beach, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

“It was bad,” Beyer said. “There were dolls hanging from trees. The cars and trucks looked like they were in crushers.” Beyer provided Sachem Patch with some photos he took while touring the region. Browse the gallery attached to this story to view them.

But it was the opportunity to lend a hand that made the trip worthwhile for the Class of 1994 Sachem graduate. He spent three days there, setting up shop with Johnsonville at a number of supermarket parking lots and selling fresh grilled bratwurst for $3 apiece. Hoping to sell at least one thousand bratwurst, Beyer said on the second day, they sold around 1,400. On the third day, Beyer said Crest Foods, an Oklahoma-based supermarket matched the dollars raised by his group and donated the proceeds to seven families in the Moore area.

“The amount of support that these people got was amazing to me,” he said.

Beyer is now back on Long Island and is mulling some job opportunities at area restaurants. On June 3 he’ll be the celebrity guest chef at the Long Island Hospitality Ball, which supports the American Cancer Society. That event is being held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.