Tastes like victory

“Chopped” champions of Derby City

Three “Chopped” champions call Louisville home. | Photo via Pexels

Food Network’s popular reality cooking show “Chopped” first aired in 2009 and is now in its 52nd season. The show — which pits four chefs against one another in a three-course cooking challenge featuring unlikely ingredients — has featured more than nine Louisvillans through the years. Here are three Louisville chefs that came out on top and took home $10,000.

Josh Moore

Volare Italian Ristorante Executive Chef and managing partner Josh Moore won episode 8 of season 38 in January 2019. The episode, dubbed “Deadly Catch,” was seafood-themed and challenged competitors with unusual ingredients from the sea. Josh made plans to use his prize money toward renovating a historic farmhouse.

Dallas McGarity

While Dallas’ “Chopped” episode was filmed in 2017, it didn’t air until February 2019. The Fat Lamb head chef duked it out against another Derby City chef, Peng Looi of August Moon, in the competition — which he ultimately won in the final challenge where he created a sweet treat using chicken fried rice, cream-filled chocolate eggs, dried apricots, and chili oil. Bonus: Learn how to make his legendary gnocchi.

Noam Bilitzer

On an episode that aired in April 2018, Red Hog Butcher Executive Chef Noam Bilitzer took home the “Chopped” prize — which went straight to his savings account. Today, you can try Noam’s food at Red Hog or one of his pop-up restaurant concepts: MeeshMeesh Mediterranean and MondaysOnly. He also plans to open Levant Eastern Mediterranean Grill in NuLu sometime this year.

Get a sampling of three other Food Network star’s dishes at the Pack the Sack dinner benefiting Blessings in a Backpack on Saturday, March 11 at The Olmsted.

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Friday, Jan. 27

The Moth Louisville GrandSLAM Championship | Friday, Jan. 27 | 8 p.m. | Kentucky Center for the Arts, 501 W. Main St., Louisville | $40.37 | Hear the winners of the 2022 Moth Story Slam events battle for champion storytelling status.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Uncle Disheveled Day | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 5 p.m. | Mile Wide Beer Co., 636 Barret Ave., Louisville | Free | Sip the annual release of this brewery’s southern pecan coffee stout with several variant flavors — available on draft and in cans.
After Glow | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Vernon Lanes, 1575 Story Ave., Louisville | $15 | Bust a move at this late-night disco featuring three local DJs at this vintage bowling alley.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Community Day | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 1-4 p.m. | Speed Art Museum, 2035 S. 3rd St., Louisville | Free | Visit the art museum and enjoy a day of self-care-themed activities — like meditation, yoga, and bath bomb art making.
Lunar New Year Celebration | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 2-4 p.m. | Logan Street Market, 1001 Logan St., Louisville | Free | Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with fireworks and a drum performance by the River Lotus dragon dancers.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

35º | Cloudy | 24% chance of rain

Announced

“School’s Out” and “Poison” singer Alice Cooper is coming to the Louisville Palace on Wednesday, May 10. Tickets to see the heavy metal rock star, known for his theatrical performances, are on sale now and start at $49. (WDRB)

Coming Soon

Harvey’s Cheese is moving from Logan Street Market to a brick-and-mortar next month. The specialty cheese shop — also known for its melted cheese toasties — will open in the former Mirin ramen shop at 2011 Frankfort Ave. It plans to be a “cheese shop by day and small restaurant by night.” 🧀

Civic

Kentucky’s executive medical marijuana order went into effect on Jan. 1, and as of Tuesday, Jan. 24, Louisville Metro Police officers are now trained to make marijuana possession a low priority. Officers are not prohibited from making citations, but LMPD Colonel Paul Humphrey stated in a memo it’s discouraged. (WAVE)

Eat

Tiny cakes are the latest treat at Payne Street Bakehouse. The miniature three-tiered cakes with icing in between will be offered weekly and this week’s flavor is lemon cream cheese with sprinkles. Perfect for two or one. 🍰
Skip the meal hassle with Sunbasket, a meal kit delivery service that makes healthy eating beyond easy. Sunbasket offers 10 different meal plans that work for those with dietary preferences and specific restrictions (think: paleo, gluten-free, veg, diabetes-friendly + more). Bonus: Sign up for $100 off your first four deliveries. 🥕 *

Trending

The lore of Ethan Hawke in Lou continues as the Louisville Free Public Library names a hawk perched on its main branch downtown Ethan. 🦅

Finance

Erase credit card interest until nearly 2025? Sounds good to us. This balance transfer card can do just that, providing you up to 21 months for the important stuff: travel, education, good food, time with family, or paying off debt. Apply today in minutes.*

Shop

Have you heard? Amazon now offers subscription boxes. Best of all — there’s a huge selection. Love trying out top rated beauty products? Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box. Music aficionado? Join the Vinyl of the Month Club. Pet parent? Your cat will love the KitNipBox. 📦 *

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Winter gardening tips

Winter gardening tips for Louisville, KY

Senior City Editor Katie’s garden. | Photo by LOUtoday

Be-leaf it or not, January is a good time to get gardening. Now is the time to shop seeds, do some routine maintenance, and even sow certain plants.

🌱 Spring for seeds

Peruse seed catalogs and grab those springtime favorites that are so popular they tend to sell out come the thaw. We’re talking seeds like snap peas, radishes, specialty lettuces, and heirloom tomatoes. You can also get your wishlist going for the spring planting of fall bulbs like hostas, gladiolas, and dahlias.

Check out these local spots to nab your favorites:

The Plant Kingdom, 4101 Westport Rd., Louisville
Frank Otte Nursery, 2930 Bardstown Rd., Louisville
For planting calendars, garden toolkits, and more resources, head to Louisville Grows

🌱 Get growing

While you’re at the nursery, grab some seeds that you can plant right now (or, at least, very soon). Use this tool to calculate when to sow some of these early-season crops:

Beans
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Kale
Lettuce

Bonus: Borrow gardening tools and seeds from the Louisville Tool Library.

TIPS + MORE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Katie.

Editor’s pick: We posted about W.W. Cousins being Kentucky’s best burger and y’all had some thoughts. Join the conversation.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Where to play pinball in Louisville.

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Editorial: Katie Molck, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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