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Summary
- The original Top Chef Season 1 cast members have found success post-show, from private chefs to cookbook authors.
- Despite early eliminations, chefs like Candice Kumai and Andrea Beaman have leveraged their exposure for lasting careers.
- Runner-up Tiffani Faison and winner Harold Dieterle have opened multiple acclaimed restaurants and culinary consulting businesses.
Top Chef season 1 aired almost two decades ago, and it's time to catch up with the original cast members of one of the best reality TV shows. The inaugural season of Top Chef aired in 2006 and pitted 12 supremely talented chefs in a competition to determine ultimate culinary supremacy. As Top Chef season 21 unfolds, it's time to revisit the twelve amazing chefs from season 1.
Whether Brian Hill, Tiffany Faison, Candice Kumai, or the ultimate winner Harold Dieterle, the original Top Chef cast has made the most of their professional opportunities since appearing on the show. Some chefs have successful careers after Top Chef, and while some aspects of Top Chef are fake, it's always entertaining.
12 Ken Lee
Top Chef Season 1
Los Angeles resident Ken Lee was the first cast member to be eliminated from the beloved reality cooking show after tasting his sauce with his finger rather than using a spoon (a major faux pas in any kitchen). After going dark on social media following his dismissal, Ken popped up in 2015 when he began hosting a pasta-making masterclass at the New School Cooking Academy in Culver City (per girlsonfood.net).
Like many contestants who enjoy a brief stint on the show before being axed from the competition, it seems that Lee has kept his private life out of the media's eye. Ken's time on the show was brief, and he didn't have the opportunity to showcase much of his culinary skills. As such, he is not as widely recognized as some of the other chefs who competed on the show. However, his elimination marked the beginning of what would become a highly successful and influential series in the culinary world. In 2024, his whereabouts are unclear.
11 Cynthia Sestito
Top Chef Season 1
Due to her father's ailing health, Cynthia Sestito decided she no longer wanted to be part of the show and decided to leave Top Chef 1 on her own accord. While Sestito did take some time out afterward, she has since partnered with Grey Goose to create a farm-to-table feast (per WSJ) and launched her own private catering company called CYNFULLFOOD. During her brief stint on Top Chef Season 1, Cynthia Sestito showcased her culinary skills and competed against other talented chefs in various challenges. Unfortunately, she had to prioritize family above the competition.
However, Cynthia has experienced a thriving career despite leaving the show early. In 2020, Sestito also appeared on the Netflix show Cooked With Cannabis, in which she reinforced her expertise in marrying art with food. Sesitito has become famous for being Jay-Z and Beyoncé's private chef (per Cynfully Canna) and recently opened the year-round bakery/marketplace The Cookery in August 2022. She's a creative and successful chef worthy of recognition.
10 Brian Hill
Top Chef Season 1
Despite being eliminated third from Top Chef 1, Brian Hill has emerged as one of the busiest and most visible reality TV chefs since 2006. After appearing on Bar Rescue and Private Chefs of Beverly Hills, Hill opened Brian Hill’s Comfort Kitchen in Washington, DC in 2018 (per The Washingtonian).
While he didn't win the title of Top Chef, his participation in the show likely provided him with valuable experience and exposure in the culinary industry.
Following his appearance on Top Chef, Brian Hill's culinary career path and subsequent endeavors are not as widely documented compared to some other contestants from the show. However, participating in a high-profile cooking competition like Top Chef can often open doors to new opportunities and collaborations within the food industry. While the Washington location of Brian's business has since closed, Hill opened another restaurant in Miami but was forced to close down after four days due to COVID-19 concerns (per Vice). In 2024, Hill continues to promote his private catering company. Unfortunately, his business is under some duress as he has yet to reopen. He consistently asks for support.
9 Candice Kumai
Top Chef Season 1
Although Candice Kumai lasted just 4 weeks on the long-running reality TV show before losing an elimination challenge to Tiffany Faison, she has capitalized on her celebrity more than most. Author of six wellness cookbooks since 2009, Candice also became a writer and director for the first time in 2021 by adapting her sixth book, Kintsugi Wellness, into a 3-part documentary series.
Aside from becoming an author and writer/director since her time on the show, Kumai has recently appeared on an episode of Selena + Chef on HBO Max as well as the documentary Healthy Long Life in 2020. Kumai also hosts the podcast Wabi Sabi. While she was eliminated early during the show, her legacy after appearing on Top Chef has lasted. Candice is proof that it doesn't matter whether a contestant wins Top Chef or not; sometimes, it's just the exposure.
8 Lisa Parks Pilar
Top Chef Season 1
Despite her success in week 3 of Top Chef Season 1, where she emerged victorious in a culinary challenge, Lisa Parks, a chef based in Los Angeles, faced elimination two weeks later. Her downfall came after she and her partner, Harold, failed to impress the judges with their Japanese street food dish. Ultimately, they were outshone by Dave and Tiffany, who presented a Moroccan-inspired Cubano dish that captured the judges' palates.
Following her stint on the show, Lisa Parks, now known as Lisa Pilar, largely retreated from the limelight. However, she did venture into the world of literature, co-authoring a book titled If You Wanna Get A Man, Learn How To Cook Book, which was published in 2012 under her new name. While her culinary journey on Top Chef was short-lived, Lisa's participation on the show and subsequent endeavors serve as a testament to her multifaceted talents beyond the kitchen.
7 Andrea Beaman
Top Chef Season 1
Andrea Beaman, a contestant on Top Chef Season 1, encountered a mix of success and setback during her time on the show. While she demonstrated her culinary prowess in various challenges, her journey came to an end after she failed to impress the judges with her dishes, leading to her elimination mid-season. Despite this setback, Andrea's passion for food and wellness continued to shine beyond the competition.
Andrea went on to establish herself as a prominent figure in the health and nutrition industry, becoming a holistic health coach, author, and television personality. Andrea's journey post-Top Chef reflects her resilience and determination to pursue her passion for healthy living and culinary arts. Through her three wellness books, television appearances, and coaching, she continues to inspire others to embrace a holistic approach to wellness and nourishment, leaving a lasting impact far beyond the Top Chef kitchen.
6 Miguel Morales
Top Chef Season 1
Sixth-place finisher Miguel Morales became a Top Chef fan-favorite for his lovable personality and silly sense of humor. He returned to his post as a chef at the Banquet Tournant Mandarian Oriental Hotel after a brief stint at the Hard Rock Cafe in 2022. It's unclear why he left and come back, but hopefully, he's happy in his renewed role at the hotel.
Miguel continues to spend time with his family in 2024. Despite his reality TV show appearance, not as much is known about how the chef spends his professional life. Luckily, he seems well-established and happy in his role as a chef in New York City. He is a city staple and continues to do well despite not winning in the hit reality TV series.
5 Stephen Asprinio
Top Chef Season 1
Stephen Asprinio gained a rep for being a Top Chef villain for his immodesty and insolence during the show's first season. The 5th-place finisher launched SA Hospitality Enterprises in 2007, a restaurant consulting business he continues to operate in 2024. He quickly became known on the show for his young age and his background as a sommelier, which set him apart from many of the other contestants. Asprinio was just 24 when he competed on the show, making him one of the youngest contestants in the season.
Throughout his time on Top Chef season 1, Stephen showcased his culinary skills and knowledge of wine in various challenges. He impressed the judges with his creativity and expertise, making it quite far into the competition. Ultimately, Stephen Asprinio finished fifth in the season, narrowly missing out on a spot in the finale. However, his performance on the show helped to solidify his reputation in the culinary world.
After Top Chef, Stephen continued to pursue a career in the food and beverage industry. He has worked as a sommelier and restaurateur, branching the company from New York to Palm Beach, Florida, where he launched the AguaGrille restaurant.
4 Lee Anne Wong
Top Chef Season 1
After finishing in 4th place, Lee Anne Wong has remained a popular staple on The Food Network and Cooking Channel as a guest judge and panelist on various TV shows. She has even worked as a culinary supervising producer on Top Chef, Rocco's Dinner Party, and others. Her success goes beyond her stint on Top Chef.
In addition to logging her first acting credit for the Hallmark TV movie Groundswell, Lee Anne currently works as the Executive Chef for Koko Head Cafe and Papa'aina at the Pioneer Inn in Hawaii. In addition to her television appearances, Lee Anne Wong has also contributed to the culinary community through her work as a cookbook author and entrepreneur. She has published cookbooks and launched her own culinary ventures, further establishing herself as a respected figure in the food industry.
3 Dave Martin
Top Chef Season 1
Dave Martin made a valiant run on Top Chef 1 en route to a third-place finish. Since competing in 2006, he's appeared on ultimate cooking competition show Chopped twice between 2017 and 2020. Following his appearance on Top Chef, Dave Martin continued to pursue his passion for cooking through other endeavors besides Chopped. He has worked as a chef, caterer, and culinary consultant, further establishing himself as a respected figure in the food industry.
In addition to his culinary work, Dave Martin has also made appearances on television and has contributed to cooking shows and competitions. He remains an active member of the culinary community, sharing his expertise and passion for food with audiences around the world. Getting to the top three certainly helped elevate his stature in the culinary sphere.
Despite all of his culinary avenues, bread and butter is culinary consultation, a venture that has seen Martin launch New York eateries Chama Mama and Dalup in 2019 with plans for new Mexican restaurants in Texas and Florida in the future (per chefdavemartin.com). In April 2022, Martin published The Tequila Diet, a spirit guide tailored for Mexican food.
2 Tiffani Faison
Top Chef Season 1
Top Chef 1 runner-up Tiffani Faison has become a bona fide rock star chef since her time on the show. Beyond becoming a mainstay judge on Chopped, Faison won Food Network's Tournament of Champions in 2022 before going on to star as a Team Captain in Beachside Brawl later in the year.
Following the show, Faison honed her skills in various prestigious kitchens, including serving as a sous chef at Todd English's Olives in Washington, D.C. She then moved to New York City, where she worked at acclaimed restaurants such as Jean Georges and Le Bernardin, further expanding her culinary career.
In 2006, Faison returned to her hometown of Boston and opened Rocca Kitchen & Bar, where she served as executive chef. The restaurant received critical acclaim and helped to solidify Faison's reputation as a talented chef. In 2011, Faison opened her own restaurant, Sweet Cheeks Q, in Boston's Fenway neighborhood. Specializing in Southern-style barbecue, Sweet Cheeks Q quickly became a beloved establishment, earning accolades for its authentic flavors and laid-back atmosphere.
Following the success of Sweet Cheeks Q, Faison continued to expand her culinary empire. In 2016, she opened Tiger Mama, a Southeast Asian-inspired restaurant also located in Boston's Fenway neighborhood. Like her previous ventures, Tiger Mama received rave reviews for its innovative cuisine and vibrant ambiance. Unfortunately, the restaurant was forced to close in 2021. However, she rebounded by opening Tenderoni's, Dive Bar, and Bubble Bath in downtown Boston in 2022 through her company, Big Heart Hospitality.
1 Harold Dieterle
Top Chef Season 1
Top Chef's inaugural winner Harold Dieterle took the competition by storm in 2006, winning challenges in weeks 1 and 11 to help his cause. Nowadays, Harold heads HD Hospitality, a culinary consulting that helped open the Mediterranean restaurant Ten Hope in Brooklyn in 2019. After his victory on Top Chef Season 1, Dieterle opened his first restaurant, Perilla, in New York City's Greenwich Village in 2007. Perilla received critical acclaim and earned Harold a Michelin star for its inventive American cuisine with Asian influences.
Following the success of Perilla, Dieterle went on to open several other restaurants in New York City. In 2010, he opened Kin Shop, a Thai-inspired restaurant in Manhattan's West Village. Kin Shop also received positive reviews for its bold flavors and creative dishes. In 2013, Dieterle expanded his culinary ventures with the opening of The Marrow, a German-Italian fusion restaurant located in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. The Marrow showcased Dieterle's versatility as a chef, combining his love for both German and Italian cuisines. He's experienced immense success since winning Top Chef.
Top Chef season 21 airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.