CHEF
Leah Cohen
Leah Cohen is the Chef and Owner of the highly acclaimed New York restaurant, Pig & Khao UWS
About Leah
Leah Cohen is a renowned chef and owner of an acclaimed restaurant in New York City, Pig & Khao in the Upper West Side. She also was the chef and owner of the former Pig & Khao in the Lower East Side, and Piggyback NYC in the Penn District. Leah is 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 offered a unique Pan-Asian dining experience like no other. The establishment featured a spacious bar and a private event space called the Wayback Bar, discreetly nestled behind the main dining area. In 2024, Cohen and her team unveiled Pig & Khao on the Upper West Side, which is making big strides in NYC.
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”.
Awards & Accolades
2013 StarChefs Rising Stars Award
