New ‘Top Chef’ Host Kristen Kish: 5 Things to Know

Top Chef has discovered its new host — former champion Kristen Kish — after Padma Lakshmi exited the collection after 20 seasons.

“Top Chef is where I started my journey — first as a competing chef, then a guest judge and now as host, I have the honor of helping to continue to build this brand,” Kish, 39, mentioned in a press launch on Tuesday, July 11. “I’m thrilled to sit alongside Gail [Simmons] and Tom [Colicchio] as we get to know new incredible chefs and see what they cook up. It feels like coming home.”

Kish has come a good distance since she acquired her begin within the culinary world, preserve studying for every part you want to know:

What Did Kristen Kish Do Before Becoming a Chef?

The South Korea native was adopted by her household in Michigan when she was 4 months previous. Before discovering her ardour for cooking, Kish labored as a mannequin whereas she was a youngster.

Where Did Kristen Kish Learn How to Cook?

Once Kish found her love of making ready meals, she enrolled in Chicago’s Le Cordon Bleu and earned her A.A. in culinary arts. After gaining expertise within the discipline, Kish turned an teacher at a culinary demonstration kitchen known as Stir in Boston. She later was promoted to chef de delicacies by Stir’s proprietor Barbara Lynch.

When Did Kristen Kish Compete on ‘Top Chef’?

While working at Stir, Kish determined to audition for the Bravo competitors collection in 2012 alongside her former classmate Stephanie Cmar for season 10. In the qualifying spherical, Kish created a signature soup that earned her a spot on the present.

She received 4 challenges however was eradicated within the eleventh episode. However, she ended up coming again into the competitors after incomes 5 consecutive victories within the “Last Chance Kitchen.” Following her redemption, Kish discovered herself within the finale and beat out Brooke Williamson to be topped the winner. Kish made historical past because the second feminine winner in Top Chef historical past.

Has Kristen Kish Hosted Any Other Shows?

After her look on the cooking present, Kish went on to host a number of different food-related reveals, together with Travel Channel’s 36 Hours, TruTV’s Fast Foodies, Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend and National Geographic’s Restaurants on the End of the World.

Is Kristen Kish Married?

In 2014, Kish publicly got here out as a lesbian. In September 2019, she introduced she was engaged to Bianca Dusic — who’s VP of Food & Beverage for Standard Hotels. The couple tied the knot in April 2021.