The conclusion of Top Chef’s 20th season was a mix of joy and melancholy. The finale saw Buddha Lo clinching back-to-back victories in the renowned Bravo culinary contest. However, it also marked the end of Padma Lakshmi’s tenure as the host and judge of this enduring reality series.
Recently, the Top Chef team unveiled two significant announcements – the unexpected location for the upcoming 21st season and the successor to Lakshmi’s role. The new host is none other than Kristen Kish, a name well-known to ardent Food & Wine readers and Top Chef enthusiasts.
Kish embarked on her culinary journey in Boston, working under renowned chefs like Barbara Lynch and Guy Martin. She later launched her own restaurant, Arlo Grey, in Austin, Texas, in 2018. Kish is no stranger to the Top Chef platform, having triumphed in the show’s 10th season after an impressive comeback in Last Chance Kitchen.
Since then, she has made multiple appearances as a guest judge. In recent times, Kish has been presenting a variety of food and travel programs across platforms like the Travel Channel, TruTV, National Geographic, and Netflix. In the forthcoming season, Kish will join Gail Simmons, the returning judge, and Tom Colicchio, the head judge.
In June, Padma Lakshmi announced her departure from Top Chef after hosting the show for 19 seasons. She expressed her pride in being part of such a successful show and will continue to host the Hulu series Taste the Nation. The 21st season of Top Chef is slated to premiere in 2024.
Kish expressed her excitement about her new role, stating that Top Chef was where her journey began. She feels honored to help build the brand further and is looking forward to working with Gail and Tom to discover new talented chefs and their creations. For Kish, it feels like a homecoming.
The 21st season of Top Chef will be filmed in Wisconsin, marking the show’s first-ever visit to The Badger State. The official announcement highlighted that the contestants would explore the vibrant culinary scenes in Milwaukee and Madison against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes, farmland, shoreline, and bustling urban communities.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers expressed his pride in the state’s rich food culture, talented chefs, and exceptional local ingredients. He believes that these diverse culinary traditions will inspire the participants and captivate viewers, showcasing all the great things Wisconsin has to offer.
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