Rock Harper To Head New Ben's Spot

In a move that raises the culinary stakes, the forthcoming Ben's Chili Bowl sibling Next Door has tapped Virginia native and "Hell's Kitchen" season three winner Rahman "Rock" Harper to be head chef, The Washington Post reports.

As the Post's Jane Black writes, Harper's appointment signals a shift to a more serious food destination than Next Door originally aspired to be.

For a look at the new spot, Capital Spice and Prince of Petworth have a few photos.

Next Door is slated to open in January at 1211 U St. NW — right next door to Ben's.