Alexandria Chef Chris Edwards Competes and Wins on Food Network’s Chopped

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Executive Chef Chris Edwards of Hank & Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen in Alexandria, Va. competed and won his episode of the Food Network’s Chopped which aired Tuesday, September 29, 2020.

“Nothing can really prepare you,” said Edwards.  “The whole experience was very intense and the sheer pressure of competing at this level really caught me off guard.  The first time that clock started ticking… it was such a surreal moment: my instincts and love of cooking just took over and was left hoping my dish would turn out for the best!”

New Menu Launching to Celebrate Win

To celebrate the win, Hank & Mitzi’s will be launching their new lunch menu today, which features lunch portions of their fresh pastas, individual pizzas, and sandwiches, including Edwards’ re-imagined gnocchi sandwich, one of the featured mystery basket items during the entrée round of his Chopped episode.   His version features potato gnocchi stuffed bread with mozzarella and Cotto ham and is served with Vincenzo sauce, a rich, chicken fortified marinara sauce.  The lunch menu is available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery Tuesday – Friday from 11:30 am – 3 pm.

Executive Chef Chris Edwards brings more than 20 years of culinary experience and currently oversees Hank & Mitzi’s kitchen. Edwards has been with JL Restaurant Group for three years and was instrumental in opening Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf.  Prior experience includes cooking at the Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg, Va. as well as at Patowmack Farm restaurant in Lovettsville, Va.

Hank & Mitzi’s is located at 600 Montgomery Street in Alexandria, Va.  Hours of operation are 11:30 am – 9 pm Tuesday – Thursday, 11:30 am -10 pm Friday, 12 pm -10 pm Saturday, and 12 pm – 8 pm Sunday for outdoor and indoor dining, takeout, and delivery. In addition to weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner, the restaurant offers a weekday happy hour from 4 pm – 6 pm as well as an array of take-and-cook-at-home pastas, sauces, pizza kits, and meals plus Italian pantry staples and treats in their Mercato.

 About Hank & Mitzi’s

Hank & Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen is a come-as-you-are neighborhood spot in the Old Town North neighborhood of Alexandria, Va. celebrating the joy that is regional Italian cuisine, and the newest restaurant from celebrated chef and restaurateur Jamie Leeds of JL Restaurant Group and Hank’s Oyster Bar fame.  Named after her parents, the restaurant offers an array of sharable plates, hand-crafted pastas, oven-fresh pizzas, and a straightforward and unpretentious beverage program rooted in Italian classics.

ICYMI: Jamie Leeds’ Opens Hank & Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen