Food News

Rubato chef will appear on cooking competition show ‘Chopped’

The episode that features the James Beard semifinalist and chef at Quincy's Hong Kong-style cafe will air in March.

Rubato chef Laurence Louie, in between his mom Joyce Chan and wife Rary Ratsifa, will appear on "Chopped." Courtesy of Rubato

By Katelyn Umholtz

February 27, 2024

1 minute to read

The chef of star newcomer Rubato, the Hong Kong-style cafe in Quincy, is headed to the small screen.

In an announcement on Instagram, Rubato chef and co-owner Laurence Louie said he took part in the cooking competition “Chopped” on Food Network.

Chef Laurence Louie, as seen on Chopped, Season 57

“Hungry fam, Laurence Louie did a thing,” the post read. “Does Laurence get chopped?”

Louie didn’t tease much more than that, other than information on when viewers and fans of his acclaimed cafe can tune in. The episode airs March 5 at 8 p.m. ET.

Food Network confirmed that the season 57 episode celebrates Chinese cuisine. Competing against Louie are chefs Katie Chin, Justine Ma, and David Wang.

Maneet Chauhan, Shirley Chung, and Danny Bowien will judge their food, according to an email from Food Network.

The format of the show, hosted by television personality Ted Allen, includes four chefs that compete in three rounds — typically appetizer, entree, and dessert — with one chef eliminated each round until there’s one winner. Their dishes, which must feature a few mandatory and seemingly incompatible ingredients, are critiqued by a rotating panel of three judges.

Louie and his Quincy eatery have had quite the year, with his most recent accomplishment being named a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef Northeast. Rubato was also named best new restaurant of 2023 by both Bon Appétit magazine and Eater Boston.

Chefs Lurence Louie, Katie Chin, Dave Wang, Justine Ma, in front of baskets, as seen on Chopped, Season 57

“Recognition and accolades have never been the driving point behind what we do day in, day out, but for a little mom-and-pop shop like ours to be seen, recognized, and celebrated is HUGE,” Rubato said in an Instagram post in response to Bon Appétit’s recognition. “This one is for the always hungry fams out there. This one is for Quincy.”

The counter-service cafe serves Hong Kong-style comfort food, like fried chicken bolo bao and congee. Before opening in 2022, the space was occupied by Contempo, a bakery owned by Louie’s mother.