Summary
- Top Chef has propelled contestants to successful careers, with many becoming James Beard award-winners and Michelin award-winning restaurant owners.
- The show has been consistent, with Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons as long-time hosts and judges.
- Notable contestants like Richard Blais, Melissa King, Carla Hall, Kristen Kish, and the Voltaggio brothers have expanded their culinary careers through TV appearances, hosting, and opening their own restaurants.
Top Chef has helped many contestants launch long-lasting careers, and with Top Chef season 21 on the horizon, it's time to revisit the most successful chefs. Several have been James Beard award-winners, such as Karen Akunowicz (seasons 13 & 17), Nina Compton (season 11), Kwame Onwuachi (season 13), and Beverly Kim (season 9). Other competitors, like Phillip Frankland Lee (season 13), Sarah Grueneberg (season 9), and Joe Flamm (season 15), have gained recognition with their Michelin award-winning restaurants, attracting Bravo viewers and regular customers. While there are undoubtedly fake aspects of Top Chef, the talent is real.
Known for its consistency, Top Chef has been hosted by Padma Lakshmi since season 2, with Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons serving as judges since 2006, and Top Chef frequently features celebrities and alumni as guest stars. The success of Top Chef has spurred several international versions; countries with their own programs include Canada, France, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain. Successful spin-offs of Top Chef also include Top Chef: Masters, Top Chef: Juniors, and two shows that premiered in 2021: Top Chef Amateurs and Top Chef Family Style.
Richard Blais (Seasons 4 & 8)
From working at McDonald's to competing on Iron Chef America, Richard Blais has become a household name in the culinary industry. Finishing as a runner-up on Top Chef season 4 in 2008, fan-favorite Richard returned to Bravo to face off in their first all-star season. Since winning the competition against Mike Isabella in 2011, Richard has been regarded as a staple figure on the Food Network. The 50-year-old has been featured on shows like Guy's Grocery Games, Cutthroat Kitchen, Next Level Chef, and Masterchef.
Richard has also guest-judged on Top Chef seasons 12, 13, and 18. Besides appearing on television, Richard is involved with four restaurants, including San Diego's Juniper & Ivy, The Crack Shack, and Ember & Rye in Carlsbad, California. He is also an author and podcaster, releasing the cookbook So Good: 100 Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours and the podcast Starving For Attention in 2017.
Melissa King (Seasons 12 & 17)
With a quiet demeanor but a nearly impeccable track record, Melissa King was a silent but deadly contestant on Top Chef. After placing fourth on Top Chef: Boston, the 38-year-old returned for Top Chef's second all-star season in 2020. Taking home the $250,000 grand prize against Bryan Voltaggio and Stephanie Cmar, Melissa set a record with three Quickfire and six elimination challenge wins.
Since her second Bravo appearance, Melissa has been successful in not just cooking but modeling and activism. Before joining Top Chef Amateurs, Melissa made her modeling debut with Levi Strauss in 2018. Donating her $10,000 award as a fan favorite to charity, Melissa has partnered with organizations such as Stop AAPI Hate, The Human Rights Campaign, and The Trevor Project. She also created the menu for the 2022 Met Gala.
Carla Hall (Seasons 5 & 8)
Carla Hall was a hit with Bravo fans the moment Top Chef: New York premiered in late 2008, with her catchphrases and "cook with love" philosophy solidifying her as an unforgettable contestant. After appearing as an all-star on season 8, Carla was a co-host on ABC's The Chew until the food talk show was canceled in 2018.
Since then, Carla has moved on to judging, with the 57-year-old appearing as a judge on the Food Network's Halloween Baking Championship, Crazy Delicious, and Worst Cooks in America. The star has also dabbled in acting, with roles on BoJack Horseman, The Lion Guard, General Hospital, and Sesame Street. In between all those endeavors, Carla has crafted several cookbooks, with her latest, Carla Hall's Soul Food, released in 2018.
Kristen Kish (Season 10)
Out of every elimination on Top Chef, Kristen Kish being sent home during "Restaurant Wars" against Josie Smith-Malave is overwhelmingly regarded as the most unfair. While the chef ultimately won the competition after battling other eliminated contestants during Last Chance Kitchen, Tom Colicchio even declared afterward that "hindsight's a *****."
Since taking the title in 2012, Kristen has taken up hosting; the 38-year-old is the host of the Travel Channel's 36 Hours and a co-host of TruTV's Fast Foodies alongside Jeremy Ford, the winner of Top Chef season 13, and Justin Sutherland from Top Chef season 16. In 2018, Kristen opened Arlo Grey in Austin, TX; as chef-owner, Arlo Grey holds high reviews on Yelp, Google, and Open Table.
Michael (Season 6) and Bryan Voltaggio (Seasons 6, 17, & Top Chef Masters 5)
As the only siblings to compete together on Top Chef (so far), Michael and Bryan Voltaggio are not only known as a powerhouse duo but talented individuals with their own set of accomplishments. While the brothers both ended up in the Top Chef finals, Michael eventually won the title, with Tom Colicchio hailing Michael as the most talented contestant to date.
Bryan is a force to be reckoned with as well, as he was a finalist on the second Top Chef all-star season and Top Chef Masters, which centers on world-renowned chefs. Michael and Bryan own and operate Voltaggio Brothers Steak House in their home state, Maryland. Bryan, a two-time James Beard finalist, is also the executive chef at Showroom and Thatcher & Rye. In addition to cooking, Michael has also dabbled in acting, appearing on shows like Young & Hungry, Suburgatory, and Lucifer.
As one of the top-respected reality competitions out there, it's common for Top Chef to pit the best cooks across the country against each other, with season 19 being no different. Many of the 15 new chefs already have distinguished careers, such as James Beard finalists Sarah Welch and Ashleigh Shanti. Others, like Buddha Lo, Jo Chan, and Leia Gaccione, have either worked under famous chefs or starred on the Food Network before auditioning. While there are many best chefs from Top Chef, these brothers undoubtedly make the cut.