Leah Cohen

Pig & Khao UWS

Leah Cohen is a renowned chef and owner of three highly acclaimed restaurants in New York City: Pig & Khao which was located in the Lower East Side and currently in the Upper West Side, and Piggyback NYC which was in the Penn District. She gained a national following after appearing on TV, making 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 kitchens, working alongside some of the world’s best 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 beloved Pig & Khao, a 74-seat restaurant that garnered praise from a number of sources including The New York Times, New York Magazine, and The Huffington Post. In January 2020, she introduced her second restaurant, Piggyback NYC, which offered a unique Pan-Asian dining experience. This colorful, boisterous spot featured a spacious bar and a private event space called the Way Back Bar, nestled behind the main dining area.

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 seasons 1 and 2 of PBS’s “Great American Chef.”