BravoTop Chef is heading to Kentucky for its season 16. Back for the food and fun are host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio, and judges Graham Elliot, Nilou Motamed and Gail Simmons.
This season, 15 chefs from across the United States compete for the title across Kentucky, touching down in Louisville, Lexington and Lake Cumberland. For the finale showdown, the Bravo reality series is heading to Macau, China. Because it's season 16 of a reality show, expect some twists, like double eliminations and the earliest and first-ever three-team Restaurant Wars battle. The cheftestants will also head to Kentucky's face racetracks, Churchill Downs and Keeneland, cook for Lalia Ali at the Muhammad Ali Center, celebrate classic dishes at the Maker's Mark bourbon distillery and more.
Guests this season include Lena Waithe, Below Deck's Captain Lee Rosbach and Captain Sandy Yawn, Emeril Lagassé, Eric Ripert, Jonathan Waxman, Art Smith, Nancy Silverton, Richard Blais, Brooke Williamson, Nina Compton, Karen Akunowicz, Annie Pettry, Caroline Styne, Sean Brock, Tandy Wilson, Dario Cecchini, Ken Oringer and Abraham Conlon.
Meet the contestants below.
David is the executive chef and partner at Heirloom Kitchen in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He's worked for the likes of Bobby Flay, Anthony Bucco and Michael White.
Adrienne is the executive chef for Boston Urban Hospitality, managing teams of chefs and cooks at Deuxave, Boston Chops Downtown, Boston Chops South End and dbar, all located in Boston, Massachusetts.
Kevin is the chef and owner of Brazen Open Kitchen and Bar in Dubuque, Iowa where he works closely with small farms in the area.
Pablo grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina and began traveling the world to explore his culinary dreams at the age of 23. Currently living in Miami Beach, Florida, he's the chef de cuisine at 27 Restaurant and Bar.
A Philadelphia native, Eddie is the chef de cuisine at Laurel, a French-inspired new American restaurant from former Top Chef winner Nicholas Elmi.
Born in Monterey, California, Natalie eventually moved around the world, calling Indonesia, Hawaii and more home at various points. Now based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she's the executive chef and owner of Underground Concepts.
Justin is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota and the executive chef of Handsome Hog. He's also a former contestant on Iron Chef America.
Caitlin, a native of Cincinnati, is the executive chef and owner of CWC, The Restaurant, after traveling with pop up events.
Kelsey is the executive chef and owner of her own catering business, KBC, in Dothan, Alabama.
Eric, a New York City native, currently resides in Washington, DC, where he's a personal chef, a caterer and public health & nutrition professional, as well as the chef/owner of pop-up Pinch & Plate.
Nini, a New Orleans native, is currently the executive chef and culinary director of Cook Space in Brooklyn, New York.
Brandon is a private chef currently living in California. Growing up, his family owned and operated their own chocolate factory.
Kentucky native Sara is the chef and proprietor of freight house, a bourbon bar and Southern-inspired restaurant in Paducah, Kentucky.
Formerly the executive chef at Barzotto in San Francisco, Michelle grew up in a small town in California.
Brian was born in New Hampshire, raised in Nashville and now calls Boston home. He's currently the chef de cuisine at Cultivar.
Top Chef premieres Thursday, Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. on Bravo.
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