Leah Cohen & Ben Byruch
Leah & Ben are the creators of NYC’s acclaimed, Pig & Khao and Piggyback. A 2013 StarChefs Rising Stars Award recipient, Leah’s Filipino upbringing and annual expeditions to the region are reflected in her cooking philosophy, which stays true to authentic Southeast Asian flavors while incorporating classical western techniques.
Early in her career, Leah cut her teeth in Michelin-starred restaurants working alongside some of the world’s most renowned chefs, and continued to gain momentum as a competitor on the fifth season of Bravo's "Top Chef” series. In 2012, Leah opened the intimate 74-seat Pig & Khao restaurant, where her Southeast Asian street food-inspired cuisine has received notable praise by The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more.
In their most recent venture, Piggyback NYC, Ben led the creative design process to set the stage drawing from their travels that have taken them—from Vietnam and Myanmar to Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The menu at Piggyback NYC is reflective of the traditional recipes, ingredients, and cooking techniques Leah learned firsthand working in kitchens throughout Asia, as she rediscovered—and brought home to NYC—the deliciously sweet, pungent, and spicy flavors of her youth.
