Chapel Hill Chef Wins Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ Competition

Chapel Hill chef Dan Jackson can add a new aspect to his resume: “Chopped” winner.

The executive chef for the new Italian restaurant Osteria Georgi in Chapel Hill recently won Food Network’s “Chopped” competition on Tuesday, June 15.

The culinary competition on the Food Network features four chefs cooking surprise ingredients from a basket — with the worst dish in each round sending one chef home. Some ingredients Jackson had to work with on Tuesday’s episode included challenges like algae oil, black ants, sunflowers and meatless breakfast sausage.

In an interview with the News & Observer, Jackson said he’s always wanted to participate in a cooking competition.

“The reason I got into cooking was more the competition of it, the athleticism of it,” Jackson said. “You have to move well behind the line and think on the fly as a line cook. You have to use your movements and know what pan to grab and what needs to happen.”

Jackson, a Chapel Hill native, said “Chopped” producers first reached out to him in early 2020 and he prepared to compete on the show in March. That was before, however, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and devastated the restaurant industry. Jackson was laid off, and he and his wife moved back to North Carolina at the end of the summer.

From there, Jackson was hired as the executive chef of Osteria Georgi, a product of the Giorgios Hospitality & Lifestyle Group, which opened this spring at 201 South Elliott Road in Chapel Hill.

Another one of the group’s restaurants, Kipos Greek Taverna, recently moved from its West Franklin Street location nearby to where Osteria Georgi is open. The Greek-food eatery now operates in the Eastgate Crossing Shopping Center and re-opened in November.

Jackson’s talents in the kitchen clearly translated to the competition and Chapel Hill residents raved about his performance on the show.

“The smartest thing he did was to always hold back some of each basket ingredient so he always had a Plan B,” wrote Jill Cozzi on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook group. “He clearly did his homework about the show. Smart!!”

Featured image via Osteria Georgi

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

‹

Seeking 'Redemption,' Chapel Hill Chef Heads Back to the Food Network

Local chef Sera Cuni, co-owner of the Root Cellar, is heading back to the Food Network to try to earn a little bit of "redemption."

H&H Bagels Sets Opening Date in Chapel Hill's University Place

H&H Bagels, a chain of restaurants based out of New York, will open its new Chapel Hill location at University Place next week.

Local Chef's Episode of 'Chopped' Set to Debut July 8; Restaurant Hosting Watch Party

Chef Sera Cuni — who owns and runs the Root Cellar in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro — recently taped an episode on the hit TV show "Chopped."

Orange County Reports First Rabies Case of 2024, Citing Raccoon in Chapel Hill

Orange County has received its first report of a positive case of rabies in 2024: a raccoon near Southern Village in Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill Dunkin’ Approved for Drive-Thru Window

At the March 22 Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting, council members unanimously approved the motion to allow Dunkin’ to establish a drive-thru window at their location.

'It's A Really Good Handoff': Al's Burger Shack Changes Ownership, But Stays Local

When asked what Al’s Burger Shack means to its namesake, Al Bowers sits back and takes a deep breath. It’s easier to talk about what the Chapel Hill restaurant represents to others. “I always wanted someone to have a memory every time they took a bite of a cheeseburger,” he says. “Or every time they […]

Chapel Hill Chef Using Pop-Up Dinners to Support CHCCS Newcomer Program

Tuki Cuisine is the latest project from Chef Papa Mbengue, whose pop-up dinners in Chapel Hill and Carrboro support an important cause.

Fifth Bend Farm Stand Offers Equitable ‘Pay as You See Fit’ System

Fifth Bend Farm opened approximately two and a half months ago when co-founders Nura and Jacob Hill were inspired to create a sustainable and equitable food stand.

Purple Bowl Set To Expand Into Neighboring Suite By Mid-May

The Purple Bowl, a popular Chapel Hill smoothie bowl local, is set to expand this spring.

New Alpaca Chicken Location Now Open in Chapel Hill

Another restaurant has joined the slate of businesses along South Elliott Road in Chapel Hill. Alpaca Chicken, which describes itself as “a healthier alternative to the usual fast food concepts,” has opened a new location at 237 South Elliott Road. The restaurant, which serves a variety of Peruvian charcoal chicken dishes, also has locations across […]

›