Leia Gaccione

HOMETOWN: Passaic, NJ 

CURRENT CITY OF RESIDENCE: Morristown, NJ 

OCCUPATION/PROFESSION: Chef/Owner, south + pine American eatery  

Leia Gaccione is the Chef and Owner of south+pine American eatery in Morristown, NJ. As a child, Leia was enamored with cooking shows like "Yan Can Cook" and "Julia Child.” As an adult, she studied culinary arts and restaurant management at the New York Restaurant School and has trained in NYC, New Jersey, Connecticut and Las Vegas, before opening south+pine in 2015. Leia has appeared on "Iron Chef America,” "Beat Bobby Flay,” “Iron Chef Showdown,” “Chopped” and is the host of the documentary film “Her Name Is Chef.” Her mission is to serve seasonal and locally sourced food made with lots of love and to remain a neighborhood staple in the Morristown community.