CHEF
Leah Cohen
Leah Cohen is the Chef and Owner of two highly acclaimed New York restaurants; Pig & Khao and Piggyback NYC.
About Leah
Leah Cohen is a renowned chef and owner of two highly acclaimed restaurants in New York City, Pig & Khao in the Lower East Side, and Piggyback NYC in the Penn District, and the author of cookbook Lemongrass & Lime, published in 2020. She gained recognition as a TV personality, getting her breakthrough on Bravo’s hit show “Top Chef”, and has since appeared on various Food Network shows including “Beat Bobby Flay”, “Guy’s Grocery Games”, and “Tournament of Champions”.
Early in her career, Cohen honed her skills in Michelin-starred establishments, working alongside some of the world’s most esteemed chefs. Her Filipino heritage and regular visits to the region heavily influence her cooking style, which combines authentic Southeast Asian flavors with classical Western techniques.
In 2012, Cohen opened the intimate Pig & Khao, a 74-seat restaurant that has garnered praise from reputable sources such as The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Huffington Post. In January 2020, she introduced her second restaurant, Piggyback NYC, which offers a unique Pan-Asian dining experience like no other. The establishment features a spacious bar and a private event space called the Wayback Bar, discreetly nestled behind the main dining area.
Beyond her success on Food Network, Cohen also appears as a culinary expert on popular morning shows like “The TODAY Show” and “Good Morning America”. She has also showcased her talents on season one and two of PBS’s “Great American Chef”.
Looking towards the future, Cohen and her team are set to unveil a second location of Pig & Khao on the Upper West Side in 2024. This expansion marks an exciting milestone after a decade of operating in Manhattan’s vibrant Lower East Side.
Awards & Accolades
2013 StarChefs Rising Stars Award
