Celebrity Chef Chuck Hughes Visits LaPita in Dearborn

Lunchtime crowds at LaPita restaurant in west Dearborn received a special surprise Thursday when they were greeted by Chuck Hughes, host of the Cooking Channel's “Chuck’s Eat the Street" program.

Hughes and his crew were in Dearborn to film an episode of the show that will highlight the rich culture of Middle Eastern cooking. It will feature Hughes and LaPita chef Hassan Hamid making Meukieh, a traditional Lebanese dish with rice, almonds, chicken and onions.

Restaurant owner Kassem Chammout said he does not know why the Cooking Channel chose his establishment, but he considers it a tremendous honor.

"The highest honor in our profession is to be featured on the Food Network," he said. "To be able to showcase our restaurant around the world is just fantastic. My children in Beirut can watch the show and see our success."

A representative of the show said that she could not comment on the filming nor had information on when the episode might air.

Hughes owns two restaurants in Montreal, and also appears on the Food Network. In 2011, he became the second Canadian to win “Iron Chef America,” beating out celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

"Once we know when the episode will be featured, we will have a big party for our friends and customers," Chammout said.

LaPita will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Dearborn later this year.

“Chuck’s Eat the Street” airs at 10 p.m. Thursdays on the Cooking Channel.