Jersey City native and “Chopped” champion, chef Claude Lewis, is opening his first restaurant this Friday. Located at 640 Newark Avenue, Freetown Road Project will join the likes of Ling Long Xuan, Cafe Peanut, and Mezcal Kitchen in the busy Journal Square area.
Freetown Road Project will highlight the West Indian flavors of Antigua. The restaurant is the evolution of Lewis’ catering company of the same name. Established in 2015, the names originates from the towns where Lewis’ father and mother grew up — Freetown Road Village and Old Road Village, respectively.
If Lewis’ name sounds familiar, it’s because he won Food Network’s “Chopped” competition back in March. Lewis has also participated in various food festivals in Jersey City, including numerous Midnight Market festivals. He’s been a part of the Porta Jersey City team since 2014, working his way up from sous chef to executive chef.
After winning Food Network’s “Chopped” competition, Lewis began looking for a permanent space for his catering company. The Freetown Road Project restaurant was created shortly after.
The restaurant soft opened on Christmas Day and it’s still in soft open mode. (Although they are not open Thursday as they prepare for Friday’s launch). Their launch menu includes oxtail stew, codfish cakes, curry chicken, and bread pudding. Freetown Road Project’s grand opening date is Friday, December 27 from 12pm to 8pm.
You can follow Freetown Road Project via their Instagram account for the latest updates on the restaurant.
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