Meet the cast of ‘Top Chef’ season 21

The best chef is headed to the Badger State…but of course, the chefs competing on season 21 of the beloved reality show will focus on something else Wisconsin is known for: cheese!

In the season 21 trailer, which EW can reveal below, the cheftestants are joined by host Kristen Kish and judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons in Milwaukee and Madison for some dairy-filled challenges (including one at a dairy festival). cheese!). The season marks Kish’s first season as a host after Padma Lakshmi announced her departure from the series last year.

With a new host comes new twists: Kish, who won season 10, and Colicchio explain the latest rules to the competing chefs. They will have the chance to win cash in each Quickfire challenge, and immunity will be available in elimination challenges, meaning the winner will automatically be safe in the next episode. Oh, and did we mention that episodes will be 75 minutes long this season?

“I love it when shit hits the fan,” Kish says in the trailer as the contestants express their surprise… and sip some champagne. This season’s competitors come from around the world and have culinary careers that include Michelin-starred restaurants, James Beard Award nominations and more.

Below, meet the season 21 cheftestants.

Alisha Elenz
City: Chicago, sick.
Profession: private chef

Amanda Turner
City: Austin, Texas.
Profession: Chef de cuisine at Olamaie

Charlie Pierre
City: New Orleans, Louisiana.
Profession: Chef and owner of Fritai

Daniel Jacobs
City: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Profession: Chef and co-owner of EsterEv & Dandan

danny garcia
City: Brooklyn, New York
Profession: Executive Chef at Saga Hospitality Group

Dave Murphy
City: San francisco California.
Profession: Chef and co-owner of Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine

Bliss Kaleena
City: Chicago, sick.
Profession: Executive Chef of the Chicago Athletic Association and Cindy’s Rooftop

Kenny Nguyen
City: Athens, Georgia.
Profession: Head chef and owner of Pretty Boy (opening in 2024) and executive chef at Expat

Kevin D’Andrea
City: Austin, Texas.
Profession: Chef and owner of Foliepop’s

Laura Ozyilmaz
City: San francisco California.
Profession: Executive Chef and Owner of Dalida

Manny Barella
City: Denver, Colorado.
Profession: Culinary Director at Camp Picke & Jaguar Bowling Center (opening 2024)

Michelle Wallace
City: Houston Texas.
Profession: Chef, owner and pit master at B’tween Sandwich Co.

Rasika Venkatesa
City: New York, NY
Profession: Chef

Savannah Miller
City: Durham, North Carolina, USA
Profession: Chef de cuisine at M Tempura

Valentin Howell Jr.
City: Dorchester, Mass.
Profession: Executive chef

The best chef Season 21 premieres March 20 at 9 pm ET/PT on Bravo with new episodes every Wednesday. Episodes will be available the next day on Peacock.

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