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In December, Chef Phil Crispo was named a champion on Chopped, the Food Network’s cooking show in which professional chefs vie to create the tastiest meal using “mystery” ingredients—like, say, lump crabmeat and ice cream cones—that aren’t often found on the same plate. Born in Beacon, Crispo moved to Scotland as a youngster, but returned to Dutchess County eight years ago to become an assistant professor of culinary arts at Hyde Park’s Culinary Institute. HV asked the chef about his star turn on the show—which earned him a cool $10,000 in prize money.