Another Chicago Chef Wins Chopped With Mac N' Cheese

By Anthony Todd in Food on Dec 2, 2015 3:33PM

Last month, Chef Cory Morris won a bizarre foods challenge on Chopped. Well, it must be Chicago time at the Food Network, because another local chef won last night, with a bunch of creative twists on mac n' cheese.

We heard about Chef Joe Cecchini's win last night after the show aired. Cecchini is the chef at Ballaro, which recently opened in Highwood. "Competing on Chopped was an awesome life experience, and to win it is both humbling and rewarding. This being my first solo cooking competition, to come out on top is truly surreal," said Cecchini.

Unfortunately, we didn't see the episode - but the Trib has more details. Cecchini made three dishes including macaroni (and even incorporated that packet of flavored powder) including a dessert made from mostaccioli, white chocolate, figs and mac-and-cheese ice cream. Yuck. But it was enough to win the day, so congratulations, chef!