Leah Cohen

Pig and Khao - New York, NY

Leah Cohen is the chef-owner of three highly acclaimed restaurants in New York City: Pig and Khao with locations in the Lower East Side and Upper West Side, as well as Piggyback NYC 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 and Khao, a 74-seat restaurant that has 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 offers a unique Pan-Asian dining experience.

Beyond her success on Food Network, Leah 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. She will open a third location of Pig and Khao, this time in Philadelphia, later in 2025.