Food Network Champ Celebrity Chef Jose Rego Arrested DUI In MA After Asking Wareham Off-Duty Cop ‘Directions’

WAREHAM, MA. (THECOUNT) — Food Network‘s double-winning celebrity chef, Chef Jose Rego, was arrested Monday on drunken driving charges after asking officers for directions, Wareham police said.

Rego, a Portuguese immigrant who lived in New Bedford during his teen years, is a two-time Food Network champion. In 2016, he won “Cutthroat Kitchen” and in 2012 he won “Chopped,” reports SouthCoastToday.

Reports say, an off-duty officer on Main Street in Wareham was approached by the 47-year-old chef in a vehicle asking for directions around 11:50 a.m. Monday, police said.

The officer made observations of the driver and asked for an on-duty officer to respond to his location at Besse Park.

Officer Joseph Cardoza arrived and after having the driver perform field sobriety tests, Rego was placed under arrest. Rego, of New Bedford, MA, is charged with operating under the influence, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle, police said.

Geo quick facts: Wareham is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 21,822. Wareham has long been recognized as not part of Cape Cod – Wikipedia.