Ope Amosu

Ope Amosu is a Nigerian-American chef. He is the owner of the James Beard-nominated restaurant ChòpnBlọk. The James Beard Foundation named him a Semifinalist in the Emerging Chef (2024) and Best Chef: Texas (2025) categories.

Early life and education

Ope Amosu was born in London and lived in Nigeria with his grandparents before moving to Houston. Amosu graduated from Rice University’s business school. Prior to opening his restaurant, Amosu worked in the energy industry. Local cooks taught him heritage recipes and he used knowledge gained by working as a prep cook at Chipotle to learn more fast casual concepts.

Career

ChòpnBlọk started as a series of pop-up events in 2018 before opening its first location at the POST Houston food hall in 2021. In 2022, Amosu was a guest judge for Top Chef: Houston. ChòpnBlọk opened its first standalone location in Houston's Montrose neighborhood on Nigerian Independence Day in 2024.

References

  1. ↑ Nicholas, Lynnette (2025-10-07). "ChopnBlok's Ope Amosu & Graft's Femi Oyediran Collaboration Dinner In Celebration Of Nigerian Independence Day". Essence. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  2. ↑ Smith, Courtney E. (2025-01-22). "Here Are Houston's 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists". Eater Houston. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  3. ↑ Clay, Jaundréa (February 26, 2022). "Essay: For Houston's Nigerian diaspora, culture is all about connections". Houston Chronicle.
  4. ↑ Rao, Tejal (16 December 2025). "This Restaurant Gem Is the Answer to Our Fast Casual Fatigue". New York Times.
  5. 1 2 3 Bechky, Aviva (December 1, 2025). "Montrose restaurant ChopnBlok lands on Esquire's list of America's best new restaurants". Houston Chronicle.
  6. ↑ Claridge, Laurann (2024-10-17). "ChòpnBlok Spices Up Houston's Restaurant Scene With a James Beard Worthy Chef Showcasing the West African Food He Loves". PaperCity Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  7. ↑ Lewis, Brooke (April 21, 2022). "Chop Chef | The business school at Rice University (Rice Business)". business.rice.edu. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  8. ↑ Sandler, Eric (September 24, 2024). "ChopnBlok restaurant opens in Houston on October 1 - CultureMap Houston". houston.culturemap.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  9. 1 2 Perera, John-Henry (December 1, 2025). "Esquire says new Houston restaurant is one of best in U.S." Chron.