The newest season of Bravo’s Top Chef is nearly here, and it comes with a new host, some new wrinkles and rules, and of course, new contestants.
After Padma Lakshmi stepped away from her longtime role as host after Season 20, showrunners tapped former Top Chef winner Kristen Kish as her successor. Joining Kish are familiar faces, as Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons return as judges and executive producers.
Top Chef is heading to Wisconsin this season after spending its 20th in London and Paris with some of the show’s former all-stars. It’s the first time Top Chef has been set in a state – rather than a single city – since Kentucky, which got the spotlight in Season 16. Other states that have garnered the focus of Top Chef include Texas (Season 9), California (Season 13) and Colorado (Season 15).
According to Bravo’s website, quickfire and elimination challenges this season will be held in Madison and Milwaukee. The season premier is set for March 20.
New host, new rules, new location! #TopChef is heading to Wisconsin for Season 21, premiering March 20th!🔪🧡 pic.twitter.com/vL6di7Bc3n
— Bravo Top Chef (@BravoTopChef) February 7, 2024
There are 15 contestants this season. Let’s meet them:
- Alisha Elenz – A private chef in Chicago, Illinois.
- Amanda Turner – The chef de cuisine at Olamaie in Austin, Texas.
- Charly Pierre – The head chef and owner at Fritai in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Dan Jacobs – Chef and co-owner at EsterEv & Dandan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Danny Garcia – Executive chef at Saga Hospitality Group in Brooklyn, New York.
- David Murphy – Chef and co-owner at Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine in San Francisco, California.
- Kaleena Bliss – Executive chef at Chicago Athletic Association and Cindy’s Rooftop in Chicago, Illinois.
- Kenny Nguyen – Head chef and owner at Pretty Boy, and executive chef at the Expat in Athens, Georgia.
- Kevin D’Andrea – Chef and owner at Foliepop’s in Austin, Texas.
- Laura Ozyilmaz – Executive chef and owner at Dalida in San Francisco, California.
- Manny Barella – Culinary director at Camp Pickle & Jaguar Bolera in Denver, Colorado.
- Michelle Wallace – Chef, owner, and pitmaster at B’tween Sandwich Co. in Houston, Texas.
- Rasika Venkatesa – A chef de cuisine based in New York City.
- Savannah Miller – Chef de cuisine at M Tempura in Durham, North Carolina.
- Valentine Howell Jr. – An executive chef based in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
