OK! Magazine USA – July 03, 2019

40 JULY 1, 2019 OK!

CELEB CHEFS

With Chef Judy Joo

W

ith more than 30

seasons of Chopped

under his belt, Chris

Santos has become

synonymous with

Food Network’s beloved cooking

competition. But in New York City's

thriving restaurant scene, he’s the

reigning culinary king of Manhattan’s

Lower East Side — thanks to his wildly

popular, celebrity-friendly restaurants,

Beauty & Essex and Vandal. “The

Lower East Side has this grit to it that

you just don’t get anywhere else in

NYC,” says Chris, 48, noting that he’s

always made sure to incorporate the

neighborhood's vibe into his venues. “I

think that’s a big part of our success.

We design big, bold restaurants that

have lots of little surprises that are

engaging and so much fun.” Here, Chris

sits down with chef Judy Joo at Vandal

to chat about his career and his

delicious dishes.

How would you describe Vandal’s

menu?

I love to simply take some classic,

iconic dishes that are in every diner’s

wheelhouse and make them my own.

But most of all, I like my food to be

whimsical and playful.

Your eateries are known for attracting

A-listers. Who’s come through your

doors, and what have they ordered?

Even if it sounds cliché, we view

CHRIS SANTOS

THE CULINARY STAR

CHATS ABOUT

HIS FAMED NYC

HOT SPOTS, HIS GIG

ON CHOPPED AND

HIS PLANS FOR

THE FUTURE

CREATIVE

CUISINE

“Many of the dishes at

Vandal are based on

my travels around the

globe,” says Chris, with

chef Judy Joo at the

Lower East

Side eatery.

E T

TA S TE O F

NEW YORK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRIS CONNOR/GETTY IMAGES