Meet the chefs shaking things up on 'Top Chef' season 21 (original) (raw)
Top Chef is heading to the Badger State... but of course, the chefs competing in season 21 of the beloved reality competition will be focused on something else Wisconsin is known for: cheese!
In the season 21 trailer, which EW can reveal below, the cheftestants are joined by host Kristen Kish and judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons in both Milwaukee and Madison for some dairy-filled challenges (including one at a cheese festival!). The season marks Kish's first season as host after Padma Lakshmi announced her departure from the series last year.
Gail Simmons, Kristen Kish, and Tom Colicchio.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
With a new host comes new twists: Kish, who won season 10, and Colicchio explain the latest rules to the competing chefs. They'll have the chance to win cash at every Quickfire Challenge, and immunity will be up for grabs at Elimination Challenges, meaning the winner will be automatically safe in the next episode. Oh, and did we mention that episodes will be 75 minutes this season?
"I love when s--- gets shaken up," Kish says in the trailer as the contestants express their shock... and pop some champagne. This season's competitors come from all around the world and boast culinary careers that include Michelin-star restaurants, James Beard Award nominations, and more.
Below, meet the cheftestants of season 21.
Alisha Elenz
City: Chicago, Ill.
Profession: Private chef
Alisha Elenz of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Amanda Turner
City: Austin, Tex.
Profession: Chef de cuisine at Olamaie
Amanda Turner of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Charly Pierre
City: New Orleans, La.
Profession: Head chef and owner at Fritai
Charly Pierre of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Dan Jacobs
City: Milwaukee, Wis.
Profession: Chef and co-owner at EsterEv & Dandan
Dan Jacobs of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Danny Garcia
City: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Profession: Executive chef at Saga Hospitality Group
Danny Garcia of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
David Murphy
City: San Francisco, Calif.
Profession: Chef and co-owner at Shuggie's Trash Pie + Natural Wine
David Murphy of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Kaleena Bliss
City: Chicago, Ill.
Profession: Executive chef at Chicago Athletic Association and Cindy's Rooftop
Kaleena Bliss of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Kenny Nguyen
City: Athens, Ga.
Profession: Head chef and owner at Pretty Boy (opening 2024) and executive chef at the Expat
Kenny Nguyen of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Kévin D'Andrea
City: Austin, Tex.
Profession: Chef and owner at Foliepop's
Kévin D'Andrea of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Laura Ozyilmaz
City: San Francisco, Calif.
Profession: Executive chef and owner at Dalida
Laura Ozyilmaz of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Manny Barella
City: Denver, Colo.
Profession: Culinary director at Camp Pickle & Jaguar Bolera (opening 2024)
Manny Barella of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Michelle Wallace
City: Houston, Tex.
Profession: Chef, owner, and pitmaster at B'tween Sandwich Co.
Michelle Wallace of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Rasika Venkatesa
City: New York, N.Y.
Profession: Chef de cuisine
Rasika Venkatesa of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Savannah Miller
City: Durham, N.C.
Profession: Chef de cuisine at M Tempura
Savannah Miller of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Valentine Howell Jr.
City: Dorchester, Mass.
Profession: Executive chef
Valentine Howell Jr. of 'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
Top Chef season 21 premieres March 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo with new episodes every Wednesday. Episodes will be available the following day on Peacock.
'Top Chef' season 21.
Bravo/ Stephanie Diani
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