Chef Nyesha J. Arrington has been in love with the kitchen since she was just a little girl cooking from the age of five alongside her Korean grandmother, Ai-Soon Lee. Career Television. 9 Park, eventually showcasing her culinary prowess by competing on Top Chef. Instead of taking the traditional path of culinary school, he spent his undergraduate years at the University of California at Davis, largely sustained by cooking gigs and his driving passion for food. In 2013, Burke made great strides in expanding his restaurant empire and enhancing his partnerships with other reputable companies. After battling cancer, Kevin is always up for a new challenge and is ready to show the world he is stronger than ever. Stefan has also opened the restaurant group Stefan's Restaurants in Santa Monica, 5 Steakhouses in his native Finland. Early in her career, she started as a pastry cook at restaurants like Coquette & Eleven Madison Park. Lee Anne Wong was a contestant on first season of Top Chef in San Francisco and later returned via Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen for Season 15 in Colorado but ended up withdrawing after suffering from altitude sickness while pregnant with her son. These first stages of culinary experiences definitively shaped Arrington's palate development and her ideas in cooking. As Chef de Cuisine of the seafood-inspired menu, Chef Isabella learned the slight flavors and techniques of Greek cooking, as well as immersing himself in the traditions of one of the oldest cuisines in the world. Burke graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and soon thereafter traveled to France where he completed several stages with notable chefs such as Pierre Troisgros, Georges Blanc and Gaston Lenôtre. while there, he contributed in the restaurant’s rise from one to two-Michelin stars. Chef Isabella's formal training began at The Restaurant School in New York, taking classes and cooking his way through some of New York City's finest establishments. Possessing a genuine passion for cooking from a young age, Stephanie was only 15 when she began working in the food industry at the Muffin Shop in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Born in South Korea and adopted into a family in Kentwood, MI, Kristen Kish showed an affinity for cooking at a young age. Tom appears in and served as executive producer on A Place at the Table, Participant Media's documentary about food insecurity in America, produced and directed by his wife, Lori Silverbush, by Kristi Jacobson. Floyd Cardoz won 'Top Chef Masters' in Season 3 and died from COVID-19 in March 2020. Orange County-born C.J. Jennifer later moved to D.C. to open Requin. A Maryland native and James Beard Foundation Award finalist, Bryan is the executive chef and owner of VOLT, Family Meal, and has three additional restaurants with his brother Michael including Estuary, Voltaggio Brothers Steak House and STRFSH. Josiah Citrin, Chef/Owner of the acclaimed 2 Michelin Star Mélisse restaurant in Santa Monica, California became her true mentor. She was a chef in the Austrian town where he was born, and with her encouragement, Wolfgang began his formal training at 14 years of age. In 2014, Burke will bring his SoHo concept, David Burke Kitchen, which features modern takes on farmhouse cuisine, to the ski resort town of Aspen, Colorado. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Tom made his New York cooking debut at prominent New York restaurants including The Quilted Giraffe, Gotham Bar & Grill and Gramercy Tavern before opening Craft in 2001. After opening Spago in the Forum Shops at Caesars in 1992, Wolfgang went on to open five additional restaurants including Chinois in the Forum Shops at Caesars in 1998, Postrio at The Venetian and Trattoria del Lupo in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in 1999, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at MGM Grand in 2004 and CUT at The Palazzo in 2008. This summer, Chef Isabella plans to open a second location of Graffiato in Richmond, VA and in the fall he will open Kapnos Taverna in Arlington, VA. Citrin perceived the raw talent in his student and carefully groomed her in his kitchen, teaching her technique and discipline that would serve her always. Taking these experiences, Hugh developed a style of his own forging together the beauty of the South with the flavors of Europe and opening the critically acclaimed Athens, GA, restaurant Five & Ten in March of 2000. Since taking home top honors during Top Chef's inaugural season back in 2006, the New York-based chef has opened and closed a series of restaurants in … Most recently Lofaso has gone from television personality to business owner and is currently executive chef and owner of Black Market in Studio City, California. In late 2007, Yagihashi opened Takashi in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. In an effort to broaden his long-standing social and political activism, Tom co-founded Food Policy Action in 2012 in collaboration with national food policy leaders, in order to hold legislators accountable on votes that have an effect on food and farming. Los Angeles native Brooke Williamson has carved out an impressive resume full of leading roles and professional achievement, such as being the youngest female chef to ever cook at the James Beard House and a runner-up on Top Chef season 10 in Seattle. Brian has supported dozens of organizations and nonprofits throughout the years. At El Vez, Chef Isabella learned the true craft of Latin cuisine under the direction of Jose Garces, and as Executive Sous Chef of Marcus Samuelsson's Washington Square, Chef Isabella educated himself on the art of opening a fine dining establishment. Returning to L.A. after his volleyball career, Jacobson did a three-day immersion at Mélisse, the Michelin two-star restaurant in Santa Monica where he realized the kitchen would be the next arena in which he would compete. The article highlights restaurant corporations with an enviable business concept that others can't wait to replicate. Addicted to the rush of the competition, Jennifer Carroll is back for one more go after competing on Season 6 in Las Vegas, Season 8: All Stars, Top Chef Duels and on Season 15 in Colorado through Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen. Current Residency: Charlotte, NCOccupation: Chef Partner 5Church Restaurants in Charlotte & Charleston and Sophia’s Lounge. While Philadelphia proved to be an incredible learning experience and launching ground, Chef Isabella still needed to find his niche. With few exceptions, the challenges were clichéd and stupidly stereotypical (exceptions going to the Chili Cook-Off and the Salt Lick Barbecue challenge), especially that horrid progressive dinner party thing in Dallas. Postrio also draws upon the multi-ethnic nature of its surroundings. Most recently, Kristen was Chef de Cuisine of Menton, Chef Barbara Lynch's fine dining restaurant. Dale later joined Chef Carrie Nahabedian at her award-winning New-American restaurant, Naha. Padma was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role as host and judge on Bravo's Top Chef, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Competition Show. After suffering from the disease for decades herself, she has been able to make amazing strides with the foundation, like launching the first interdisciplinary research facility in the country for Gynepathology as a joint project between Harvard Medical School and MIT, where she gave the keynote address at the Center’s opening in December 2009. Mike Isabella is a Washington, D.C.-based chef and restaurateur, owner of Italian-inspired small plates restaurant, Graffiato, Northern Greek concept, Kapnos, and G, an Italian sandwich shop by day with a tasting menu by night. In that same month, he also won the distinctive Menu Masters award from Nation's Restaurant News, naming him one of the nation"s most celebrated culinary innovators. In 1996, he was presented with an Executive Chef opportunity, and left Chicago to open Tribute in suburban Detroit. Her first cookbook, Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating, was released by Grand Central Publishing in October 2017. We are huge fans of the TV show Top Chef on Bravo, and we’ve been dying to have a meal prepared by one of the chefs. His craft is best described as "rustic-refined" and revolves around a profound respect for the hyper-seasonal, local ingredients he brings into his kitchen at Girasol in Studio City, CA, which he conceptually collaborated on with Jorge Pultera, former manager at The Ivy, Koi and Red O. Jacobson has always been one for a good competition, even before starring on Top Chef. In 2009, Padma co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America alongside world-renowned Advanced Gynecological Surgeon Tamer Seckin, MD. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Irvine, she went on to graduate at the top of her class from the Culinary Institute of America. After a year at Fairsted, Stephanie took a position at Venetian restaurant SRV in Boston’s South End, where she worked to master the art of making pasta. He quickly learnt to appreciate the beauty of creating -- and eating -- homemade food and cherished the way it brought people together. Her current restaurant (opened in the Fall of 2011) "Sweet Cheeks," is a Southern-style barbecue restaurant located in Boston, MA. He is also a member of the American Chef Corps, a network of chefs from across the United States who serve as resources to the Department of State. As the author of five cookbooks, Curtis has shared his culinary know-how with readers around the globe. “I was in so far over my head and I … Recently celebrating four years of sobriety, Angelo is full of passion and hopes to empower the world through his culinary expertise and creations. It seems that former Top Chef Season 3 winner Hung Hyunh is now the restaurant's chef de cuisine. Along with her annual appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, she makes regular appearances at the nation’s foremost culinary festivals, including the Austin Food & Wine Festival and Charleston Wine & Food Festival. "There really is no better gift than a home-cooked meal and enjoying a good laugh around the table.". A year later, she returned home to Massachusetts, where she worked alongside James Beard Award-winning chef Ana Sortun at Oleana. Top Chef Season 10: SeattleCurrent Residency: Los Angeles, CAOccupation/Profession: Executive Chef/Owner, Hudson House, The Tripel, Playa Provisions and Da Kikokiko. Current Residency: Maui, HIOccupation: Chef/Owner, Koko Head Café, Executive Chef, Hawaiian Airlines, Executive Chef, Papa'aina at the Pioneer Inn. In addition to her experience competing on Top Chef, Williamson has no fear on camera and has also participated on other national TV shows including Top Chef Duels, winning a battle on Esquire Network's Knife Fight, and hosting MTV's first foodie series, House of Food. After leaving the Top Chef kitchen, Kevin opened his restaurant, Gunshow, in the Glenwood Park neighborhood of Atlanta, focusing on a unique dining style that combines refined and rustic dishes. His fascination with ingredients and the art of the meal has fueled a thirty-year career marked by creativity, critical acclaim and the introduction of revolutionary products and cooking techniques. From there, she went to work with Barbara Lynch Gruppo as a line cook at B&G Oysters, where she quickly rose through the ranks to the position of sous chef. For Suzette’s birthday, I wanted to do something fun. Curtis' passion project Maude, named after his grandmother, offers a market driven, prix-fixe monthly menu designed to create an intimate chef's table experience for the entire dining room, where every seat is within a comfortable distance to the open kitchen. With a lifelong passion for cooking, Lofaso chased her dreams and has managed to balance her busy career with being a single parent. by Alison Leiby Dec 11, 2015, 9:57am EST After moonlighting in kitchens while achieving a B.A. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her daughter Xea. She has been featured in publications such as People, New York magazine, Travel + Leisure, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, US Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by the New York Post. She was head critic on Top Chef Masters, host of Top Chef Just Desserts, Bravo’s pastry-focused spinoff of the Top Chef franchise, and was a judge on Universal Kids’ Top Chef Jr.  She also hosts Iron Chef Canada and was the co-host of The Feed.. In addition to her food writing, she has also contributed to such magazines as Vogue, Gourmet and both British and American Harper's Bazaar, as well as a syndicated column on fashion and food for The New York Times. She then opened her first venture, Sweet Cheeks, adding another three-star review to her resume. Continuing to work with STARR Restaurants, he then joined the kitchen of Buddakan, serving as Chef de Cuisine. Current Residency: Boston, MAOccupation: Private Chef. A finalist on Top Chef Season 4 in Chicago, Toronto native Lisa Fernandes is currently based in Brooklyn, NY. A native of Troy, New York, she is the chef and owner of Koko Head Cafe in Honolulu, Hawaii and currently serves as the Executive Chef for Hawaiian Airlines. Part of him wanted out. ... Life Below Zero season 14 details / August 31 ... Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef… Joe moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to help a friend open a restaurant, serving as the Executive Chef. Currently, Chef Joe is outside of the "traditional" restaurant, hosting private events, fine-dining dinner parties and pasta classes as part of his pop-up series Tanto Si. He has also released two cookbooks Home: Recipes to Cook with Family and Friends and VOLT.Ink, the latter which he co-authored with his brother Michael. Business partners at Atlantic Social are suing Dale Talde and his restaurant group for $3.5 million — claiming that the chef and his team have … She expressed this passion through her work at Cook Space, a recreational cooking school in Brooklyn where she developed the culinary program. His early exposure to Southern California's multicultural population intrigued him, inspiring him to fuse the Asian flavors and products of Koreatown, Chinatown, and Thaitown with his French- and California-based cuisine in a fine dining setting. She is an active board member and supporter of City Harvest, Hot Bread Kitchen, Common Threads, and the Institute of Culinary Education. She is currently at work on her second cookbook. ‘Top Chef All … Talde is Filipino-American A second location of G is also open in Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals. After watching himself on Top Chef Masters Season 1 and being diagnosed with diabetes, Smith underwent a complete transformation and dropped 100 pounds. Gail joined Food & Wine magazine in 2004, where she directs special projects, writing a monthly column and working closely with the country’s top culinary talent on events and chef-related initiatives. After a competition, some of the contestants got drunk and decided to shave the head of a competitor, Marcel Vigneron — very much against his will. "Tabo Sushi by Takashi" features made-to-order restaurant-caliber cuisine and a variety of sushi rolls and maki, which are perfect for health-­conscious foodies on the go. He later was a stagier at Pic, a three-star Michelin restaurant in Valence, France, before reuniting as executive chef at Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington, D.C. After working for Charlie Palmer for almost 10 years, he set out on his own opening Volt in 2008, followed by Family Meal in 2012. Curtis opened a multi-functional culinary headquarters in Beverly Hills in January 2014, featuring a test kitchen and his dream, little restaurant, Maude (mauderestaurant.com). Mike Isabella's Crazy Good Italian is his first cookbook, also published in 2012. Takashi was named "Best New Restaurant" by Chicago Magazine and one of ten "Best New Restaurants of the Year" by Esquire. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, he went on to train at some of the world's most esteemed restaurants, including The French Laundry, Daniel, Chez Panisse, and el Bulli. He enrolled at the Le Cordon Bleu-affiliated College of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, graduating in 2004. Current Residency: San Diego, CAOccupation: Chef/Owner of Herb & Wood and Animae. Slurping Turtle has expanded to Ann Arbor, Michigan in Spring, 2014. Yagihashi relocated to Las Vegas to become Executive Chef at Okada at the Wynn hotel in 2005 and under his lead, Bon Appetit named Okada "Best New Japanese Restaurant.". Her restaurant concept Ms Chi Cafe is now open in Culver City and she has a satellite location at The Fields LA food hall in DTLA. BRIAN MALARKEY. Over his 25­‐year career, Chef Takashi Yagihashi has been lauded by consumers and critics alike for his exquisite ways of melding contemporary French, Asian, and American cuisine.