Food Network's Chopped Champion To Open Maize Cocina & Cocktails In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — After two years of delays, the much-anticipated Maize Cocina & Cocktails has finally announced an opening date.

Owners Jesa Henneberry, a Food Network "Chopped" Champion, and Kamal Arora "are beyond excited to finally share their labor of love with you all starting Oct. 15."

The new globally-inspired Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar will be coming to the North Avenue train station in Westfield.

"From the preserved bricks to the modern glow, our owners put their heart and soul into ensuring the turn-of-the-century Westfield train station stayed intact, all while adding fresh, exciting elements. We can’t wait for you all to experience it!" wrote Maize Westfield. "Reservations will be available shortly."

The restaurant was initially set to open in late 2022 but ran into delays associated with construction and preserving the character of the train station.

The town leased the building to Hennebery — a culinary expert who most recently appeared as a cast member on the new Food Network series "Big Restaurant Bet" with Geoffrey Zakarian. She also previously appeared on "Chopped" — winning her episode in 2016.

In 2017, Henneberry was the creative culinary consulting chef behind New York City’s acclaimed plant-based Mexican restaurant "Jajaja" — recognized as one of the top vegetarian restaurants in America by Thrillist and Eater. Jajaja has four locations throughout New York City.

Experienced restauranteur Arora of Arora Hospitality Group will also be leasing the building alongside Henneberry. Arora invested in Moghul Express and Moghul Catering back in 2007, which is now the biggest Indian catering company in the U.S.

The new restaurant, Maize, will feature a square cocktail bar with seating for 25, as well as indoor and outdoor dining and patio seating.

Maize also plans to provide live music and entertainment, transforming the North Avenue train station parking lot into a permanent pedestrian plaza.

Recently at the Town Council's Sept. 10 meeting, an ordinance was introduced to authorize the consumption of alcoholic beverages in certain areas, specifically the Central Business District Zone and including the Westfield Municipal Lot 2 - also known as the Northside Train Station Plaza. Read More: Open Alcohol Container Area Could Expand In Westfield Ahead Of Maize Opening

Additionally, the Council also passed a resolution at its meeting to remove the time limitation for on-premises consumption of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages at Maize.

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