Twenty-four superfans were selected to compete in the new series. They will be paired off so there will be 12 episodes and each of the amateurs will be assigned a Top Chef All Star to be their sous chef to aid them in their bid for a win. “Their excitement was really infectious,” Top Chef Amateurs executive producer and Magical Elves’ SVP of Current Production Hillary Olsen tells Parade.com in this exclusive interview. “Frankly, it’s really surprising to see what these amateurs’ skill level is. They can really pull some of these challenges off and create really great food and dishes. Actually, I don’t think that was a surprise but that was the joy.” Longtime Top Chef judge Gail Simmons will oversee all the action in the kitchen, serving as both the host and head judge of the newest addition to the cooking series. “Gail has been a part of the franchise since day one,” Olsen said. “She’s a big piece of the puzzle for Top Chef and in general. It felt like it was a great fit for her to be in this role. She’s hosted Top Chef Just Desserts for us as well and it just seemed like it was an organic choice.” Following is everything we know so far about Top Chef Amateurs, including when it premieres, where it filmed, the prize money, the unique way Top Chef All Stars are being employed, and more.
When does Top Chef Amateurs start in 2021?
Top Chef Amateurs will premiere on Thursday, July 1 with two back-to-back episodes beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
Who will host Top Chef Amateurs?
Longtime Top Chef judge Gail Simmons is the host.
Where did Top Chef Amateurs film?
Top Chef Amateurs took over the kitchen used for season 18 of Top Chef Portland.
What is the format of Top Chef Amateurs?
In each 30-minute episode, you have two brand-new amateur chefs coming in who will go head-to-head to put their culinary skills to the test with help from one of the All Stars as they compete for the prize money and bragging rights.
Who are the contestants (cast) on Top Chef Amateurs?
The cast consists of 24 superfans who think they know their way around the kitchen and who come from all walks of life—from someone who formerly worked for the CIA to someone currently serving lunch in a school cafeteria.
Amirah Islam
Austin, Texas
Tamara Johnson
Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Bettina Applewhite
Owings Mills, Md.
David Johnson
Carmel, Ind.
Simon Suh
North Begen, N.J.
Gina Mustoe
Westford, Mass.
Rodney Faraon
Arlington, Va.
Zuliya Khawaja
San Diego, Calif.
Basil MaqboolWinchester, Calif.
Karine Ceyhan
Altadena, Calif.
Derek Finocchiaro
Edgewater, N.J.
Ryan Dishman
Denver, Col.
Josh “Marvin” Solomon
Van Nuys, Calif.
Farah Momen
Medford, Mass.
Lorenzo Beronilla
Saugerties, N.Y.
Bree Medley
Bremerton, Wash.
Nick Souksavat
Romeoville, Ill.
Brett Bankson
Bellevue, Wash.
Steven Decarlo
New York, N.Y.
Danie Baker
Seattle, Wash.
Kayla Hardin
Montgomery, Ala.
Antwan Jones
Los Angeles, Calif.
Sharila Stewart
Jersey City, N.J.
Kolby Chandler
Houston, Texas
Which Top Chef All Stars will participate in Top Chef Amateurs?
The fan favorites appearing this season include Eric Adjepong, Richard Blais, Jennifer Carroll, Shirley Chung, Stephanie Cmar, Tiffany Derry, Joe Flamm, Gregory Gourdet, Melissa King, Kwame Onwuachi, Dale Talde and Isaac Toups.
Who are the judges for Top Chef Amateurs?
The All Stars will be doing double duty. When they aren’t cooking, they will also serve as judges.
How much help can the All Stars provide?
“Their role really is to talk through a lot of things with the amateur chefs, but they are under the direction of the amateur, so you won’t see them taking over a dish,” Olsen says. “They’ll help suggest and guide and help point our amateurs in the direction, but it’s really the amateurs who are driving the culinary.”
How were the All Stars paired with the amateurs?
“We always try to have some sort of connection,” Olsen says. “If the amateur is a fan of a particular chef and we were able to give them that experience of meeting someone they are a huge fan of, or if it was a challenge that made sense for that chef to work with that amateur in that episode, it helps the culinary story.”
What types of challenges will take place in Top Chef Amateurs?
The amateurs will be tasked with challenges similar to those on Top Chef, such as creating a dish inspired by one of the seven deadly sins, the risotto challenge, the chocolate challenge, the mise-en-place race and the blind taste test.
What does the Top Chef Amateurs winner get?
There isn’t just one winner for Top Chef Amateurs like there is for the regular season. Rather, each week’s competition between two amateurs produces one winner—and one prize. The amateur who wows the Judges’ Table will go home with “the ultimate culinary bragging rights,” as well as $5,000 furnished by season-long prizing sponsor Wells Fargo.
How did Top Chef Amateurs handle filming during the coronavirus?
Since it was filmed on the Top Chef Portland stage last October, it was filmed under the same COVID-19 guidelines as season 18.
Watch a trailer for Top Chef Amateurs
What day does Top Chef Amateurscome on?
Top Chef airs on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
What time is Top Chef Amateurson?
Top Chef airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT Thursdays on Bravo.
Where can I watch Top Chef Amateursonline?
Episodes will then be available the next day on the Bravo website and On Demand. Next, Top Chef Alum Gregory Gourdet’s Pretty Tomato Salad Will Perk Up Your Picnics
