Jacob Rios won Food Network’s “Chopped” contest on Feb. 18. The Tampa-based chef brought his island flair to the bacon-themed showdown at Union New American.
“When the cameras are rolling, it’s a whole different ball game,” Rios told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “In a real kitchen, you focus on efficiency and quality without worrying about an audience watching your every move. But both environments demand adaptability and quick decision-making.”
Starting in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Rios built his skills at Disney Springs Resort and worked with Wolfgang Puck. His training includes a Le Cordon Bleu degree plus hospitality studies at Florida Atlantic University…