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Buzz

Introducing Top Chef’s Season 18 Chef-testants

Feb 9, 2021 By StaffWhat do you think?

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top chef season 18 cast gail simmons padma lakshmi tom tom colicchio

Bravo’s iconic cooking competition show, Top Chef, which made a few production changes according to covid 19 protocal and is prepping for its 18th season in Portland, Oregon.

The Judge’s Table:

Back by popular demand are Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons.

Padma took to her Instagram page to share her excitement for the upcoming season. “We did it! Through COVID, fires and everything else. And itโ€™s a great season! Thank you to my @bravotopchef crew for working so hard to keep us all safe. We got through it without anyone getting sick. We love you Portland and were so happy to shoot there in support of the city and the BLM protesters for civil rights ๐Ÿ’œ.”

Guest judges:

The chef-testant alumsย turned guest judges for the 2021 season include Richard Blais, Carrie Baird, Nina Compton, Tiffany Derry, Gregory Gourdet, Melissa King, Kristen Kish, Edward Lee, Kwame Onwuachi, Amar Santana, Dale Talde, and Brooke Williamson, according to foodandwine.com.

One of my personal favs, Chef Gregory, posted the following message to the ‘gram.

“Hey look itโ€™s me in the Top Chef kitchen in street clothes. Can only mean one thing. Pack your knives Portland! Itโ€™s go time. ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿพ Catch me as an alumni judge on @BravoTopChefย Season 18, premiering April 1st onย @BravoTV! Had SO much fun this season and I know you will too! Congrats to local chefs @chefsara_hย andย @chefgabrielpascuzzi for making it on this season! But hey, no spoilers and no favorites. ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ˜‰.”

The heavy hitters:

Food & Wine was also told to expect appearances by some of the greats, including Josรฉ Andrรฉs, Massimo Bottura, Gabriel Rucker, and Alice Waters.

Joining these culinary masterminds are Portlandiaย stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein.

The Chef-testants:

(Check out foodandwine.com for photos and detailed descriptions!)

This year’s competitors include-

Brittanny Anderson– Chef and co-owner of four establishments: Metzger Bar and Butchery, Brenner Pass, and Black Lodge in Richmond, VA and Leni in Washington, D.C.

Avishar Barua– The Executive Chef and General Manager of Service Bar in Columbus, Ohio.

Dawn Burrell– Recently joined Lucilleโ€™s Hospitality Group as Partner/Executive Chef of her very first proprietary concept exploring Afro-Asian cuisine.

Gabe Erales– Executive Chef of Comedor Restaurant, a Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Austin, TX.
Nelson German– Executive Chef/Owner of alaMar Kitchen and Sobre Mesa Afro-Latino cocktail lounge, both located in Oakland.
Sasha Grumman– Executive Chef at Top Chef Alum Bruce Kalmanโ€™s Chef de Cuisine at Union in Los Angeles.

Roscoe Hall– Executive Chef for Rodney Scottโ€™s BBQ in Birmingham, AL.

Sara Hauman– Head chef at Soter Vineyards in Carlton, OR.
Kiki Louya– Chef/Owner of Folk & The Farmerโ€™s Hand in Detroit.
Maria Mazon– Executive Chef and Owner of BOCA Tacos y Tequila in Tucson, Arizona.
Shota Nakajima– Two restaurants, Taku and Adana.
Gabriel Pascuzzi– Chef and owner ofย  Mama Bird, Stacked Sandwich Shop and Feel Good in Portland, OR.

Jamie Tran– Chef and owner of Las Vegasโ€™ The Black Sheep.

Chris Viaud– Chef and Owner of Greenleaf and Culture, both located in Milford, New Hampshire.

Here’s a sneak peak of the season:

Have you had the chance to eat at any of this year’s chef-testants’ restaurants? Drop your reviews off in the comments!

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Bravo TV Amar Santana Ashley Hoover Baker Brooke Williamson Buzz Carrie Baird Dale Talde Edward Lee Gail Simmons Gregory Gourdet Kristen Kish Kwame Onwuachi Melissa King Nina Compton Padmaย Lakshmi Richard Blais Tiffany Derry Tom Colicchio Top Chef

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