Fans have been clamoring for a second all-star season on Top Chef for years now. They will finally get their wish as Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. will premiere on March 19th. This will be the first all returnee season since Top Chef: All-Stars, all the way back in season 8.
With some big names returning, this season is already shaping up to be a fun ride. Who would have ever thought fans would see Bryan Voltaggio in a Top Chef kitchen again? With all of that said, some chefs have to be considered the favorites entering the competitions. Below are the ten best chefs returning for the new season of Top Chef.
Jennifer Carroll
Chef Jennifer Carroll is quite the enigma entering the new season. During her initial season, Top Chef: Las Vegas, she was considered a front runner, dominating the first eight weeks of the competition with the Voltaggio brothers and Kevin Gillespie. Her subsequent appearances on Top Chef: All-Stars and Top Chef: Colorado's Last Chance Kitchen have resulted in early exits. So who is the real Jennifer Carroll?
Carroll brings a high pedigree to the show, having worked for renowned chef Eric Ripert. Despite her early exit in season 8, she was considered one of the favorites. She has all the abilities to win this season, but she could also be one of the first chefs eliminated. Either way, her fiery temper is sure to provide some fun drama in the kitchen.
Nini Nguyen
Chef Nini Nguyen should not be underestimated as she enters Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. While she exited Top Chef: Kentucky after the season's fourth episode, Nini won two of the first three elimination challenges. Had it not been for a poor showing as the hostess during the infamous "Restaurant Wars" episode, she may have had a much deeper run in the show.
Nini isn't your traditional chef. She teaches at home cooks how to perform like professional chefs, a good indication she is a master of the cooking basics. She also brings a unique culinary perspective to the competition as she fuses her Vietnamese heritage with the influence of her hometown of New Orleans. Don't be surprised if she makes far in the competition.
Joe Sasto
Honestly, who doesn't love Joe Sasto! The mustachioed chef competed on Top Chef: Colorado, placing third. Throughout the competition, he was one of the more consistent chefs, either winning or placing in the top of five elimination challenges. Joe's personality and famed mustached made him a favorite among his fellow contestants and fans alike.
Joe's culinary point of view ruminates from his Italian heritage. While Joe doesn't have the same educational background or pedigree of his fellow contestants, he brings a passion for the kitchen. Though he has some stiff competition, he has a good chance of going far.
Eric Adjepong
Eric competed in the most recent season, Top Chef: Kentucky. He was a front runner all season, with three elimination challenge wins. It was something of a shocker when he was sent home after a surprise elimination challenge during the finale.
While Eric may not be as skilled as some of the other chefs on this list, his West African flavors will set him apart from the rest of the cast. No other chef brings a culinary point of view as unique as Eric, who can take dishes and turn them on their head with culinary flare. Hopefully, Eric will be able to put forth his whole final meal this time and not just the first dish.
Gregory Gourdet
Top Chef: Boston is generally considered one of the show's weaker seasons. A stand out though is season runner-up Gregory. Gregory dominated, winning an astounding five elimination challenges and finishing in the top another four times. He also managed three Quickfire victories. Top Chef: Boston winner Mei Lin just happens to be the protégé of Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio, brother of fellow All-Star Bryan Voltaggio.
Gregory returns to Top Chef hoping to take home the top prize this time. Gregory specialized in Asian fare during his time on Top Chef, but he has spent the last few years working toward opening a new restaurant that features Haitian cuisine.
Lisa Fernades
Lisa Fernades is a hard chef to judge heading into the season. While she was a runner-up on a season featuring arguably the toughest cast in the show's history, Top Chef: Chicago, she also struggled to stand out in the kitchen from her counterparts. To be fair, when you have personalities like Richard Blais, Spike Mendelsohn, and Dale Talde around you, it's hard to stand out.
With all of that said, Lisa is a very talented chef who is primed for a repeat performance on the show. She has spent the last decade helping to develop the Brooklyn food scene while owning and operating her own food truck. This experience will be a big help as she navigates and pivots throughout the unpredictability of the show's challenges.
Lee Anne Wong
Lee Anne Wong last competed on Top Chef: Colorado, where she was forced to exit due to altitude sickness after winning Last Chance Kitchen. Don't let that early exit fool you though, Lee Anne was a force in the kitchen. She won several Quickfire challenges back in the very first season of Top Chef, placing fourth overall.
Lee Anne's skill should make her a front runner heading into the season. One of the advantages she will have over her fellow contestants is her familiarity with the show's production. After season one, Lee Anne served as the culinary producer for the series, helping determine the foods, equipment, and budget available for each challenge. While she hasn't been in this role for a while, she spent four years thinking of how she would approach Top Chef challenges, an experience that is sure to benefit her as she makes her way in front of the camera again.
Kevin Gillespie
Top Chef: Las Vegas, the show's sixth season, is proving to be one of the most talented casts the show has ever constructed. Chef Kevin Gilespie finished third that season behind the Voltaggio brothers. Kevin's consistency was on display all season long. His rustic food made him a favorite with the judges while his genuine personality made him a favorite of fans. Gillespie later went on to compete on Top Chef: Duels as well.
Wolfgang Puck named Kevin his favorite Top Chef alumnus in 2012, so he has to be a frontrunner heading into this season. Kevin has also been nominated for countless awards outside of the show, including being named a semi-finalist for several James Beard Awards. It wouldn't at all be surprising if Kevin went on to win the season.
Karen Akunowicz
While Top Chef: California was a fun watch, the cast was one of the weaker ones in the show's history. In a cast full of "bros," it was Chef Karen Akunowicz who stood out the most. The fan-favorite brought a lot of love and care to her food, making her a delight to watch. She may not have won, but she certainly left her mark.
Make no mistake, Karen can cook as well. She landed at the top of the elimination challenge four times, winning once, while she also won a quickfire challenge. She has been nominated for two James Beard Awards, claiming the 2018 Best Chef: Northeast Award. Don't sleep on Karen as the dark horse to take it all home this season.
Bryan Voltaggio
How can Bryan Voltaggio not be considered the favorite heading into Top Chef: All-Stars? Bryan is the only returnee who has competed on both Top Chef and Top Chef Masters. Originally a contestant on Top Chef: Las Vegas, Bryan finished second to his brother Michael. His appearances on Top Chef Masters season 5 also resulted in a second-place finish.
Having never won, Bryan returns to the show with something to prove. He has some serious skill to help him too. Outside of Top Chef, Bryan has been nominated for multiple James Beard Awards. He also serves as co-owner and executive chef of five of the most well-respected restaurants in the country. Look for Bryan to make a huge splash this season as he seeks his first win.