SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A Scranton native-turned world champion chef is returning to the competition stage this week with high hopes for a victory.
Chef Ryan Von Smith, owner of Chef Von and Mom Restaurant in Scranton competed in the World Food Championships last year, taking home the title of World Rice Champion.
And this year, the chef has his sights on another title:
“Over 2,000 people from 32 countries. I came number one in the world last year for the rice category so now I’m throwing my hat in the ring for the World Burger title this year,” said Chef Von.
The World Food Championships will take place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis from October 16 to 19.
“We’re doing a burger, and it’s a very popular burger on the menu here at Chef Von and Mom right now, so you’ll have to wait until Friday to see what it is,” said Chef Von.
Chef Von says his culinary career began at the Wendy’s on Wyoming Ave, and after running restaurants in Los Angeles and New York, he returned to Scranton in 2020 to open a restaurant downtown, fulfilling one of his mother’s lifelong dreams.