Cheu’s Ben Puchowitz Wins Hop Chef


Ben Puchowitz took home top honors in last night’s Hop Chef Philadelphia competition at Union Transfer. The Ommegang event pitted eight chefs against each other in a battle to make the best dish that paired well with the Ommegang beer that the chef drew. Puchowitz, who is the chef/owner of Cheu Noodle Bar gave the crowd and judges a preview of his upcoming Bing Bing, with smoked duck buns paired with Ommegang Rare Vos.

City Tap House’s Chad Vetter won the People’s Choice award for his lamb ribs and Jeremy Nolen, who was still on a high from the German victory in the World Cup, was first runner-up.

Puchowitz will represent Philadelphia at Ommegang’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown event later this month for the title of Hop Chef.

Previous winners include Nick Macri (Border Springs Farm) in 2013 and George Sabatino (the forthcoming Aldine) in 2012.

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