Bergen Chef Wins Food Network's 'Chopped'

FORT LEE, NJ — A borough native is a "Chopped Champion."

Chef Christopher Holland, executive of DVine Bar won the finale of Food Network's "Chopped: Alton's Challenge" Tuesday.

Holland grew up in the restaurant business — his father was a chef and his mom was a waitress — but he went to college in lieu of culinary school and became a paralegal. After a battle with drug addiction, Holland returned to his true passion. He specializes in eclectic Asian cuisine.

Along with bragging rights, Holland won $50,000, which he plans on giving to his wife.

"When I decided to become a chef, she supported me following my dreams," Holland said when host Ted Allen asked what he would do if he won, lohud.com reported. "She has things she wants to do too. So, now it's her turn."

Holland won the competition with a salad accented with smoking chubb in the appetizer round, a pork chop served with a miso smen hollandaise and fried dumplings rolled in tarantula and rolled in coconut.

"It was tough to sleep last night with all the excitement, but I feel great," Holland told lohud.com. "The response I have gotten from so many people is a bit overwhelming."

The finale will reair on Food Network Sunday at 4 p.m.

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Photo: Chef Christopher Holland with judge Alton Brown on Food Network's "Chopped: Alton's Challenge," which aired Tuesday.