West Deer teen takes bite out of Ohio burger competition, continues family legacy

Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do.

Justin Von Hansen knows a thing or two about cooking.

The 16-year-old West Deer resident is the nephew of world pizza champion Eric Von Hansen and works at Caliente Pizza & Draft House, an award- winning restaurant.

“I like making up my own stuff and being able to cook it,” Justin said. “I like doing my own thing.”

Justin recently competed in his first food competition at the Mid-America Restaurant Expo in Columbus.

Known as the Burger Battle, the competition pitted 14 chefs against one another to create three identical burgers in just 45 minutes.

Justin was the youngest competitor. He made a burger with aged sharp white cheddar cheese, porchetta, candied bacon and fried jalapenos.

Called “The Hot Honey,” it placed 10th overall.

A junior at Deer Lakes High School, Justin works part-time at Caliente’s Hampton location.

He also attends A.W. Beattie Career Center’s Culinary Arts program. He soon will compete in another cooking competition being organized through Beattie.

“In the morning I go to Beattie, and then in the afternoon I go to Deer Lakes and take just my core classes,” Justin said.

A love of cooking runs in Justin’s family. He learned how to cook from his parents. He picked up more skills from his uncle, Eric Von Hansen, and from working at the restaurant. He’s now polishing those skills at Beattie.

Justin had to compete against his Uncle Eric in the Burger Battle. That was a little nerve wracking, he said.

Eric Von Hansen is Caliente’s regional chef.

Last year, he made a pizza that won the title of Best Pizza in America during the World Pizza Championship in Parma, Italy.

“I was trying to make my burger and he was yelling at me,” Justin joked.

Eric Von Hansen also went to Beattie. He’s proud his nephew is attending is alma mater.

He believes Justin will surpass him one day.

“What I foresee for him is taking over my reign in the culinary world one day,” Eric Von Hansen said. “I’ve been teaching him the older ways, like the French techniques, that aren’t really taught much in the culinary industry anymore. I think it’s a great foundation. It’s gotten me to where I’m at today.”

Caliente owner Nick Bogacz has been impressed by Justin’s work ethic and cooking skills.

Like his uncle, he takes a lot of pride in his cooking, Bogacz said.

“He really has a natural gift for it,” he said.

Caliente employees go to several cooking competitions a year.

Bogacz said it gives them more experience and can help them decide if cooking is something they would like to do professionally.

“It’s nice to see them get out there and get uncomfortable,” Bogacz said. “When you get uncomfortable, I think that’s where they start to grow.”

Justin was able to practice making his burger at work. Eric Von Hansen said he helped Justin with some of the ingredients and how to prepare it, but the rest was up to him.

“He put together a great burger,” Eric Von Hansen said.

Justin Von Hansen said he wants to continue cooking after high school, but isn’t yet sure if he wants to do it professionally.

He enjoys making his own creations rather than following standard recipes.

“You can make whatever you want,” Justin said. “Just come up with your own thing.”