Food Network Chef Looks To Bring Gourmet Doughnuts To Wilton

WILTON, CT — A celebrity chef has filed an application with the town to open a doughnut shop on Center Street.

Hugh Mangum, a former Food Network "Chopped" champion and judge on "Beat Bobby Flay" and "Fire Masters," filed an application with the Planning & Zoning Commission on May 24. Rise Doughnuts would occupy the former Lang's Pharmacy space at 28 Center Street in the heart of town.

A Wilton resident since 2019, Mangum is also the chef, pitmaster and co-founder of Mighty Quinn’s Barbecue. Formed in 2011, the growing eatery empire currently operates locations in Westchester, New Jersey and Dubai, as well as throughout New York City, according to its website.

Mangum has been operating pop-up doughnut shops in town since June 2019. Also called Rise, the Sunday morning phenomenon debuted at Parlor, before moving to The Schoolhouse at Cannondale last fall. The chef told CT Bites that he branched out from searing meats to cream-filled pastries because he "realized that people are looking for simple comforts" during the coronavirus pandemic.

The plan for Rise Doughnuts calls for the shop to be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.