Did Branford Restaurant Owner Win “Sexiest Chef” Contest?

Photo of Ryan Durant by Evermore Imaging of Connecticut/Nicole Apuzzo

BRANFORD, CT - People in Branford may not agree but the owner and head chef of Branford's popular Assaggio restaurant was not named "Sexiest Chef Alive." Ryan Durant, of Assaggio, was one of the finalists. He was the only Connecticut chef to make the cut.

Louis Maldonado (Executive Chef of Amara, San Francisco), was the winner.

Host and PEOPLE Editor-in-Chief Jess Cagle gave viewers an up-close look at the rising culinary stars who were in the running for the title of "Sexiest Chef Alive," during the one-hour prime time special, People Magazine: Sexiest Chef Alive, on the Food Network.

“I was really surprised when I found out,” Maldonado, 37, tells PEOPLE, about winning the title. “When I told my parents, they were joking with me, saying, ‘well, you got your genetics from us! We’re good looking so of course you’re going to get something like that!'”

The talented chefs, including Branford's Durant, discussed their culinary philosophies, while sharing a sneak peek into their personal lives as viewers are introduced to family and coworkers, showcasing all the unique qualities that make these chefs so appealing.

The ten chefs competing for the coveted title were: Ryan Durant (Owner and Executive Chef of Assaggio, Branford, CT); Eric Adjepong (Co-Owner and Executive Chef of Pinch and Plate, Washington, D.C.); Jordan Andino (Co-owner and Chef of Flip Sigi, New York City); Deuki Hong (Owner and Executive Chef of Sunday Hospitality Group, San Francisco); Andrew Isabella (Executive Chef of BeetleCat, Atlanta); Edouardo Jordan (Executive Chef of JuneBaby and Salare, Seattle); ; Thiago Silva (Executive Pastry Chef Consultant, Catch Restaurant Group, New York City); Johnny Spero (Owner and Executive Chef of Reverie, Washington, D.C.); and Kevin Tien (Owner and Executive Chef of Himitsu, Washington, D.C.).

The call to be on the show "kind of came out of the blue about a month ago," Durant, 33, said in a recent interview.

He said he has done some cooking on television news shows in the past few years and "it is probably because of that exposure that my name kind of got out there."

Durant said he cooked his wife's favorite dish, "blackfish" for his "Sexiest" taping.Durant said since word has spread about his celebrity he's "gotten a lot of phone calls and feedback from social media" about being singled out for the television shooting and magazine appearance.

He also said his wife, who he recently married "has been given him some good-natured teasing" about his "Sexiest" labeling.

Located opposite the historic Branford green, Assaggio has been at the heart of the shoreline community since opening its doors nearly two decades ago.

The restaurant is set apart by its modern interpretation of Italian cuisine, which focuses on locally sourced ingredients prepared in traditional Italian methods, as well as nightly additions to the menu that change with the seasons.

Assaggio offers a progressive cocktail menu and eclectic wine pairings that focus on boutique labels as well as organic and biodynamic wine making.

Guests regularly find owner Durant greeting customers at the door accompanied by knowledgeable, attentive, and charismatic staff.