Chef Sera Cuni is no stranger to challenges on the Food Network. But on July 8, the nation can watch her biggest competition yet.

Cuni — who owns and runs the Root Cellar Restaurant & Catering in Chapel Hill, as well as the Cafe Root Cellar in Pittsboro — recently taped an episode on the hit television show “Chopped,” and the businesses announced her edition is set to air on Tuesday. The appearance will mark the acclaimed chef’s fourth Food Network appearance, as she won in her 2023 episode of “Supermarket Stakeout” and competed in two editions of “Guy’s Grocery Games” in 2020 and 2021.

Several entertainment outlets report the July 8 episode, which is part of the 61st season of “Chopped,” will have a superhero theme to it — as the competing chefs will be asked to showcase their culinary superpowers to impress the judges. The show is known for its style of pitting a quartet of chefs against each other by requiring difficult and occasionally obscure ingredients into a three-course meal, with one chef being eliminated at the end of each meal. The prize for winning each episode is $10,000.

On Monday, the Cafe Root Cellar shared it is planning a watch party at 35 Suttles Road in Pittsboro as the episode airs, like it did when Cuni won in 2023. The restaurant’s social media said more details will be shared in the coming days.

“Chopped” airs at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 on the Food Network.

 

Featured photo via Matt Ramey/Chatham News + Record.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
‘Mind Your Business’: Local Openings, Closings and Updates in January-March 2026
The start of 2026 featured some early closures, openings and plenty of returns to business in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and beyond.
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."
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 […]
Chapel Hill Chef to Appear on Food Network Cooking Competition
The co-owner and chef of a Chapel Hill restaurant will soon be featured on national television, as she competes in a cooking competition. Sera Cuni, who runs The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering, will be making an appearance on the Food Network show “Guy’s Grocery Games” next week. She’ll be competing against three other chefs […]
Root Cellar Opens Second Location
The Root Cellar Café & Catering has opened its second location. The restaurant operated as Foster’s Market for years on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard in Chapel Hill before changing the name to the Root Cellar in 2014. The second location is at the new Penguin Place in Chatham Park. “This beautiful restaurant has been […]
Chatham County Sheriff: Pittsboro Man Facing Multiple Counts of Felony Identity Theft, Fraud
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has obtained warrants charging a Pittsboro man with multiple counts of identity theft and fraud. Aaron Luis Perez, 34, of 534 Deer Run is charged with 21 counts of felony financial card fraud, 20 counts of felony identity theft and two counts of misdemeanor possession of stolen goods. The sheriff’s […]
'Not in Our Benefit': Chatham Residents Speak Out Against Proposed Fearrington Preserve Community
Chatham County Board of Commissioners recently met to continue last month’s public hearing for Fearrington Preserve.
Pittsboro Commissioners Vote to End Flock Safety Contract Early, Citing Community Opposition
Pittsboro elected officials voted on Monday to end its contract with Flock Safety, following longstanding backlash from residents about privacy concerns related to the license-plate cameras.
Golf Cart Storage Building Goes Up in Blaze at Pittsboro Golf Course; No Injuries Reported
Both the Pittsboro Fire-Rescue team and the Siler City Fire Department shared posts on Facebook detailing a blaze at 1000 Chapel Ridge Drive in Pittsboro.
Chatham County Schools Names 2026 Educators of the Year
Chatham County Schools recognized its 2026 Educators of the Year Thursday during its annual Educator Recognition Reception. Each honoree was nominated by colleagues and selected after a districtwide review. Walter Johnson of Chatham Early College in Siler City was named the district’s Teacher of the Year. Several Pittsboro educators were honored: at Pittsboro Elementary, Emily […]
›