Chef Braunda Smith of Lucy Cooper's Ice House in San Antonio and New Braunfels will battle the mystery baskets on the Food Network show "Chopped" on March 14.
Dawn Hoffmann/Food NetworkIt’s a big year for San Antonio chef Braunda Smith. The charismatic force behind Lucy Cooper’s Ice House is already set to roll her cart through Guy Fieri’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” in May. Now comes the news that she’ll be battling the mystery baskets on the Food Network show “Chopped” on March 14.
The competition reality show, hosted by Ted Allen, puts a series of food baskets in front of four chefs, whose job is to make magic from whatever they find inside. While the show’s outcome is under wraps, the network told us Smith’s episode is called “A Bunch of Abalone!” and will feature a mystery sea creature, a steak and a dessert basket that includes worms. The chefs will be judged by celebrity guests Tiffani Faison, JJ Johnson and Geoffrey Zakarian.
On ExpressNews.com: Lucy Cooper’s chef heading to Guy Fieri’s “Guy’s Grocery Games”
Serving bar food with a Southern twist, Smith opened Lucy Cooper’s in San Antonio with her husband, Jesse Smith, in 2018. They opened a second Lucy Cooper’s in New Braunfels in 2021. Smith said she’s throwing a “Chopped” watch party at the San Antonio location the night her episode airs.
San Antonio’s been part of the “Chopped” family before. Chef Jesse Kuykendall of the Mexican restaurant Milpa and Ocho at Hotel Havana won in 2021, and other past contestants include Geronimo Lopez of Botika and Tim McDiarmid of The Good Kind.
Smith’s episode of Guy Fieri’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” is scheduled to air on the Food Network on May 24.
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