Top Chef season 21 cast: Top Chef is spicing things up in its 21st season, and this time they’re bringing the heat to the Badger State – Wisconsin! But hold on to your hats because instead of focusing on Wisconsin’s usual claim to fame (cheese, anyone?), the cheftestants will be battling it out in some seriously cheesy challenges.
In the trailer for season 21, which we’ve got right here for you, we see the chefs diving into dairy-filled tasks alongside host Kristen Kish and judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons. They’ll be hitting up both Milwaukee and Madison, including a stop at a cheese festival – talk about delicious!
And speaking of changes, this season marks a fresh start with Kish taking over hosting duties from Padma Lakshmi. Get ready for some new twists too: cash prizes at every Quickfire Challenge and immunity up for grabs at Elimination Challenges. Plus, episodes are getting a bump up to 75 minutes!
As the trailer reveals, the contestants are in for a wild ride, with chefs from all over the globe bringing their A-game. We’re talking Michelin-star restaurants, and James Beard Award nominations – these folks mean business.
So, without further ado, let’s meet the talented lineup of chefs for season 21!
Here’s the Top Chef Season 21 Cast!
Alisha Elenz
Meet our Chicago native – a culinary powerhouse with not one, but two James Beard nominations under her belt. Not stopping there, she clinched the Jean Banchet for Rising Chef of the Year back in 2019, solidifying her spot in the culinary hall of fame.
Her expertise? Mediterranean cuisine. This chef doesn’t just cook, she orchestrates flavors and textures like a maestro, bringing the tastes of the Mediterranean straight to your plate. And when she’s not wowing diners, she’s running her own private chef and events company, where every dish is a masterpiece in its own right.
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Amanda Turner
Meet Turner, hailing all the way from Texas! This culinary whiz made waves as a James Beard semifinalist for Emerging Chef back in 2022. Turner’s got some serious kitchen cred, having honed her skills under top chefs, including none other than Paul Qui, the winner of Top Chef season nine.
Charly Pierre
Meet this incredible chef who’s not just any two-time James Beard nominee – he’s been honing his culinary skills since he was just 15 years old, all thanks to his chef dad who passed down the family trade. Talk about starting young!
Based in the vibrant culinary scene of New Orleans, his restaurant, Fritai, brings a taste of Haiti to the table. And boy, does it deliver! With awards like Zagat’s 30 Under 30 and snagging the title of Eater NOLA’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022, it’s clear this chef’s got serious talent.
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Dan Jacobs
Meet Jacobs, a familiar face in the Wisconsin scene for Top Chef’s latest season. Hailing from Milwaukee, he’s deeply rooted in the local culinary landscape as the head chef and co-owner of two beloved spots, EsterEv and DanDan.
But here’s the kicker: Jacobs isn’t just your average chef. He’s been dealt a tough hand with Kennedy’s Disease, a genetic condition that mimics ALS and makes everyday kitchen tasks, like chopping onions, a real challenge.
Despite the hurdles, Jacobs remains resilient, proudly steering the ship at his two standout restaurants, proving that passion and determination can overcome any obstacle.
Danny Garcia
Meet this Brooklyn native who’s no stranger to the culinary scene. With stints at renowned spots like Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry under his belt, he’s definitely got some serious kitchen chops.
But what really sets him apart? His roots. Coming from a tight-knit Dominican and Puerto Rican family, Garcia’s upbringing revolved around food – it was the heart and soul of every gathering.
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David Murphy
This Texan went to school at the famous Le Cordon Bleu and then made waves in 2022 by launching Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine in San Francisco. This spot isn’t just about great food and drink – it’s all about tackling climate change too.
And let me tell you, it caught the attention of some big names in the culinary world. Esquire, Bon Appetit, and even The New York Times put it on their lists of the best new restaurants. Now that’s what I call making a mark!
Kaleena Bliss
Meet Bliss! She’s been whipping up delicious dishes since she was a mere 16 years old. Hailing from Washington state, she’s no stranger to culinary success, even snagging a spot on the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list.
These days, Bliss calls Chicago home. As the executive chef at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel, she’s got her hands full crafting culinary magic in the bustling city. From Washington to the Windy City, Bliss’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.
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Kenny Nguyen
Meet Nguyen, a first-generation American whose culinary journey is deeply rooted in his Vietnamese heritage. Growing up, he soaked up the flavors and techniques of Vietnamese cuisine from none other than his beloved grandma. Now, he’s on a mission to pay homage to her legacy by bringing a taste of Vietnam to Athens, Georgia.
Nguyen’s dream? To open his own Vietnamese restaurant called Pretty Boy as per Bravo, a loving nod to the nickname his grandma bestowed upon him. It’s not just about food for Nguyen – it’s about preserving tradition, celebrating family, and sharing the love he learned from his grandma with the world.
Kévin D’Andrea
You know, D’Andrea has quite the history with cooking competitions. Back in 2015, he made it to the finals of Top Chef France – talk about impressive! And if that wasn’t enough, he’s even had the chance to work alongside the renowned Michelin star chef Alain Llorca at Hôtel Belles Rives in the French Riviera. This guy’s got serious chops in the kitchen, that’s for sure!
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Laura Ozyilmaz
Meet Ozyilmaz, a culinary wizard with roots in Mexico. Her passion for cooking ignited early on, shaping her journey into the world of flavors and ingredients.
With stints at renowned eateries like Eleven Madison Park and Café Boulud in New York, as well as Saison in San Francisco, she’s honed her craft to perfection.
Ozyilmaz’s culinary prowess hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s earned herself a spot among the Rising Stars recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle.
And let’s not forget her recent achievement – being named a semifinalist for the 2024 James Beard Best Chef award in California. It’s clear this chef is cooking up a storm and making waves in the culinary scene!
Manny Barella
Barella’s journey started in Mexico, where he grew up with dreams of becoming a lawyer. But somewhere along the way, he decided to switch gears and pursue his passion for cooking instead. Leaving law school behind, he dove headfirst into a culinary program, and boy, did it pay off!
Fast forward to 2022, and Barella’s culinary skills have earned him some serious recognition. He snagged a spot as a James Beard semifinalist in the Emerging Chef category. Talk about making a bold career move and reaping the rewards!
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Michelle Wallace
Meet Wallace – a student at Texas Southern University, originally studying healthcare administration. But as fate would have it, her love for cooking took center stage when she started whipping up meals for her friends.
What began as a simple pleasure soon turned into a moneymaking gig when her cousin, a player for the Houston Texans, started hiring her to cook for his teammates.
With a taste of success, Wallace decided to dive deeper into the culinary world. She worked under some big-name chefs, honing her skills along the way. And in 2021, her talent was recognized when she snagged a nomination for CultureMap Houston’s Rising Star Chef award.
From studying healthcare to making waves in the kitchen, Wallace’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Keep an eye out for this rising culinary star!
Rasika Venkatesa
Venkatesa’s culinary journey began right at home, where she found her biggest inspiration in her grandma’s kitchen back in India. Those childhood memories sparked a lifelong love affair with cooking. Along the way, she’s honed her skills at esteemed establishments like the French Laundry.
Her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed either. In 2022, she clinched the StarChefs’ Rising Star Award in the San Francisco/Oakland region, a testament to her culinary prowess. But Venkatesa’s passion goes beyond accolades – she’s on a mission to rediscover and reimagine Tamil cuisine.
Her approach? Immersing herself in the vibrant communities of Tamil Nadu, India, soaking up every bit of knowledge and tradition they have to offer. For Venkatesa, it’s not just about cooking; it’s about preserving and evolving her cultural heritage through food.
Savannah Miller
Miller’s journey in the food world began way back in her teenage years. Starting out in her hometown of North Carolina, she followed her passion all the way to the New England Culinary Institute. But it wasn’t long before she found herself back where it all started, in Durham, N.C.
There, she teamed up with chef Michael Lee to open M Tempura, where she served as his trusted chef de cuisine. It’s been quite the ride for Miller, and her dedication to the culinary craft shines through in every dish she creates.
Valentine Howell Jr.
Howell has over two decades of experience working in Boston’s most well-known restaurants, working under talented chefs like Lydia Shire. In 2023, he was a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef in the Northeast. Being in front of the camera won’t be new for this Top Chef cheftesant: He’s appeared on shows, including A Moveable Feast on PBS.
Top Chef season 21 premieres March 20 on Bravo with supersized episodes airing every Wednesday night from 9 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.