Food Network Crowns ‘Chopped’ Champ And It’s A Quincy Chef

A popular TV cooking competition show named one winner on Tuesday night's finale. The Food Network's crowned it's Chopped champ and it's a Quincy chef! The Massachusetts restaurant owner and chef now has bragging rights and a chunk of change to go with it.

Congratulations to the executive chef and owner of a popular Quincy, Massachusetts restaurant took home the top prize Tuesday night on the Food Network's competition show. Laurence Louie is the chef and his restaurant is Rubato on Hancock Street in Quincy. It's a 1,000 square foot Hong Kong style cafe he opened in August 2022, according to the Patriot Ledger. His mother ran Contempo Bakery in the same spot for 22 years before Laurence took it over.

So what does Louie get besides the honor of being crowned the Chopped champ? As relayed to the Patriot Ledger, he told the judges before the competition, "Winning this competition would mean the world because my wife and I are expecting our first child." So, yeah a sweet victory comes with a pretty big purse of $10,000.

The competition show's episode was dubbed "A Taste of China." The Food Network's judges that ultimately decided Louie's fate were  Shirley Chung, Maneet Chauhan and Danny Bowien. If you haven't seen the show, here's how it works...There are 3 rounds featuring an appetizer, entrée and dessert. The chefs competing get a basket of 4 ingredients that range from basic to weird. Each gets 30 minutes to get creative, and after each round, one contestant gets "chopped." The last chef standing claims victory!

Aren't you hungry to know about the winning dishes? As reported in the Ledger, "Louie prepared chicken siu mai, which are open-faced dumplings, with tanghulu sauce. Louie's entrée was butter-poached salmon with fried milk breadcrumbs and bitter melon pilaf. His dessert was jackfruit tart with milk tea crème patissiere and chow mein noodle crumble."

Seriously, is it lunchtime yet?

Another Mass restaurant star to celebrate...

When one thinks of the iconic punk rock sound that defines Boston, the Dropkick Murphys inevitably come to mind. At the forefront of this influential group stands lead singer, Ken Casey. He's not only dedicated to music, but also his community, and he has an incredible love for food. Which is why he's opened six restaurants!

Since 1996, the Dropkick Murphys have risen to international stardom. Their biggest hit by far is the classic anthem, "Shipping Up to Boston." With their distinctive fusion of punk rock and traditional Irish melodies, they've created an unmistakable sound that resonates with fans worldwide.

I was fortunate enough to see the Dropkick Murphys all the way in the UK. England specifically. In 2020, I was traveling with my best friend, Elle, and I noticed that they had a show in Alexandra Park. So we booked a hotel, contacted the band and asked if they had any extra tickets. Ken responded immediately and not only gave us tickets, but gave us the backstage experience. We watched the show from side stage and at one point he even called us out ON stage to sing a song with them. It was the most fun I've ever had at a show before and the crowd was WILD.

In 2009, Ken co-founded the Claddagh Fund, a charity focused on supporting community-based non-profits with a focus on children's programs, veterans' organizations, and alcohol and drug rehabilitation. Casey's charity work is a testament to his belief in using his platform for the greater good, embodying the ethos of punk rock by standing up for the marginalized and underrepresented.

While music might be his first love, food runs a close second. In recent years, he's channeled this passion into opening a series of restaurants. These establishments not only offer mouth-watering dishes but also reflect Casey's love for Boston and its rich history. It's a venture that intertwines his love for community, culture, and cuisine, offering fans and foodies alike a taste of his multifaceted persona.

Each restaurant tells a story, much like his songs. The ambiance, the menu, and even the staff's energy reflect Ken's unique touch. It's not just about serving meals; it's about creating experiences. It's a place where memories are made, stories are shared, and traditions are forged. And, in many ways, this mirrors Ken's approach to music and philanthropy: creating spaces where people can connect, share, and grow.

Here are seven of Ken Casey's restaurants that maybe you've visited already, and if you haven't, you should go there on your next dinner date!

Added to this article: A few of Ken Casey's restaurants have closed down over the years. McGreevy's near Fenway Park is one of them. Lion's Tail has now been turned into a Yellow Door Taqueria. Whiskey Republic in Providence is no longer in operation. 

Located at 2269 Dorchester Ave in Dorchester, the Lower Mill Tavern has live music, great food, and fantastic service. They have almost 5-stars on Google. The website says they offer comfort food, including pizza, burgers, brunch and even a kids menu. Ken Casey and Brian O'Donnell opened the doors to their new venture in 2016.

Yellow Door Taqueria is owned by Ken Casey and HGTV’s Taniya Nayak. They have three locations now because their tacos and drinks are SO GOOD. The three locations are the following: Mission Hill, Dorchester’s Lower Mills neighborhood and another at Ink Block in the South End. Ken Casey's business partner for the Yellow Door Taqueria locations is Jarek Mountain.  The first location in Dorchester opened up in 2017.

Two Saints Tavern & Dos Diablos. It's like The Tale Of Two Cities or even Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They consider is a "two-in-one restaurant and bar." It's located on Gainsborough Street near Symphony Hall and it was opened by Ken Casey and Brian O'Donnell in 2018.