The Food Network fan-favorite culinary competition Chopped is back with a new edition titled Chopped: Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef, which features legendary chefs Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, and Chris Santos as the judges. During the five-part tournament, 16 sous-chefs will compete in the Chopped Kitchen for a chance to win a job as a sous-chef for one of the judges at his or her respective restaurant.
The Food Network competition will follow the traditional Chopped format of four chefs demonstrating their culinary skills over three rounds, appetizer, entrée, and dessert, using ingredients from the mystery baskets. Chopped host Ted Allen chronicles all of the action as the contestants try to beat the clock as they improvise delicious creations.
According to The Wrap, Courtney White, president of Food Network and Streaming Food Content at Discovery Inc., said,"Chopped continues to push the boundaries with its competition format, with viewers tuning in each week for its compelling challenges, expert critique and pulse-racing entertainment." She continued, "The winner walking away with a life-altering opportunity from Chris, Maneet or Scott, all titans in their industry, is the ultimate Chopped prize." The celebrity chefs are some of the most accomplished in the culinary world, and it is time to celebrate them and learn about their restaurants before Chopped: Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef premieres.
Maneet Chauhan
Maneet incorporates her Indian heritage and her love of using spices in her cuisine. She joined Chopped in 2010 and now sits on the permanent panel of judges. She has also appeared on its spin-offs, Chopped Junior and Chopped After Hours. Maneet has also competed in the prestigious Food Network Tournament of Champions with Guy Fieri for all three seasons and was crowned the winner of season 2.
Maneet currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee, where she formed the Nashville-based Morph Hospitality Group in 2016. The group includes the award-winning Nashville restaurants Chauhan Ale & Masala House, which combines Indian fare with traditional Southern dishes; Tansuo, which serves contemporary Chinese cuisine; The Mockingbird, which dishes out comfort food favorites influenced by the elements that make up American culture and cuisine; and Chaatable, which serves Indian street food.
Scott Conant
Scott is an acclaimed chef of Italian cuisine, whose expertise is in cooking perfect pasta. His career spans more than 35 years. Scott's work on Food Network has made him a fan favorite. He has been a Chopped judge for over a decade and began hosting Chopped Sweets, the dessert-themed spinoff, in 2019. He has also appeared on the Chopped spin-offs Chopped Junior and Chopped After Hours.
Scott has opened many restaurants, including the legendary Scarpetta in New York City, which now has multiple locations. His other restaurants include Mora Italian, a modern osteria in Phoenix, Arizona, and Cellaio at Resorts World Catskills, an Italian-inspired steakhouse in Monticello, New York. He also opened The Americano, an Italian American dining destination, with two locations in Scottsdale, Arizona, and within the newly renovated InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta.
Chris Santos
Chris has over 20 years of experience as an executive chef in New York City’s hottest restaurants. In 2010, the celebrity chef opened Beauty & Essex, a restaurant with a sophisticated menu, on the Lower East Side of New York City. The restaurant now also has locations in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. He was also the co-founder of The Stanton Social and VANDAL, restaurants that have closed, but which helped to put Chris on the map.
Chris is a Food Network staple. He has been a Chopped judge since season 1. He also has appeared on Chopped Junior and Chopped After Hours.
Chopped: Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef presents chefs with a unique opportunity to work alongside some of the best chefs in the culinary world. It will be an incredible honor for one of them to earn a job as the sous-chef in a restaurant owned by Maneet, Scott, or Chris. This season of Chopped is sure to be extra special.
Chopped: Desperately Seeking Sous-Chef premieres Tuesday, May 31 at 9 p.m. EDT.
Source: The Wrap