Renowned chef Kristen Kish, who won the 10th season of Top Chef more than a decade ago, returns as the next host of the long-running culinary competition. Bravo announced on Tuesday. She will replace Padma Lakshmi, who announced last month that she would be stepping down from the show after hosting 19 of its 20 seasons.
Kish, who has hosted several other food-related series, took the reins on Season 21, announcing that the show would take place in Wisconsin. She will sit on the jury with food writer Gail Simmons and chef Tom Colicchio.
“‘Top Chef’ was the beginning of my journey. First as a competitive chef, then as a guest judge, and now as a host, I am honored to continue to help build this brand.” Kish said in a statement. “I feel like I’ve come home.”
Kish, Adopted from South Korea and raised in Kentwood, Michigan, attended Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago.After that, she worked in a restaurant in Boston for ten years, working her way up the ranks. Head Chef at Barbara Lynch’s Finest Restaurant, Menton.
As The New York Times reported in 2014, Lynch encouraged Kish and another young chef in her restaurant group to compete in “Top Chef.”
Kish won Season 10 and has become a familiar face on the show in recent years as a guest judge.she also opened her first restauranthas released a cookbook and has hosted or starred in several shows, including .36 hours, a Travel Channel show in collaboration with The Times. “Iron Chef: In Search of Iron Legends,” and “End of the world restaurant.“
In a statement, NBCUniversal senior vice president Ryan Flynn said Kish was “the perfect host for the next chapter of Top Chef as we venture into new regions of the country we’ve never explored before.” rice field.
“She is an excellent chef, brings a world-class perspective, and most importantly, she has been a contestant and judge in the past, so she knows what it takes to win.” @bravotopchef‘ writes Colicchio.
“Having her sit on the jury was beyond words,” Simmons said.
In a statement to The Times on Tuesday, Kish added that he has already been “overwhelmed by the amazing outpouring of support from ‘Top Chef’ fans who have embraced this new chapter.”
“I would love to start!” she said.
Maya Salam contributed to the report.
