Ballaro Chef Wins "Chopped" Episode

HIGHWOOD, IL - Joe Cecchini, chef de cuisine at Ballaro in Highwood, won the Dec. 1 episode of “Chopped,”; a Food Network show where chefs compete to turn baskets of mystery ingredients into a three-course meal.

The episode, “Mac and Cheese,” showcased the competitors starting out strong, with Cecchini ultimately prevailing.

“Competing on Chopped was an awesome life experience, and to win it is both humbling and rewarding,” Cecchini said. “This being my first solo cooking competition, to come out on top is truly surreal.”