Valley chef to compete Tuesday on Food Network’s ‘Chopped’

🔪 Former Bacanora chef Derek Christensen (shown on right) will compete Tuesday on the popular Food Network show ‘‘Chopped.’’

The episode, titled ‘‘Southwestern Strength,’’ will air at 8 p.m. on most TV providers.

According to the network:

‘‘Four Southwestern competitors take the reins in the Chopped kitchen, and the baskets are packed full of ingredients from America’s most arid and untamed lands. A cactus product and a comfort food casserole stand out in the appetizer basket, while a spicy surprise forces the competitors to bring the heat in the entrée round. Then, a special flour in the dessert basket could prove to be inspiring or intimidating for the chefs.’’

It’ll be Christensen’s second appearance on the Food Network. He won on “Cutthroat Kitchen” in 2015.

Last year, Christensen was nominated along with fellow Bacanora chefs Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno for a James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest.

He later helped Andrade open Huarachis taqueria in downtown Phoenix, then teamed with Wren House Brewing to create the food menu for its new Sudhalle in Ahwatukee.

Christensen currently is doing a European-inspired pop-up Thursdays and Fridays at Sauvage Wine Bar & Shop in Phoenix.