Top Chef VIP takes the basic premise of Top Chef, and adds the twist of global celebrities as the culinary contestants - and these are the featured cooks for season 3. Premiering on Telemundo, the show features a grand prize of $200,000, adding high stakes to the already intense kitchen battles. Hosted by the popular Colombian actress Carmen Villalobos, the show also includes expert judges like Antonio de Livier, who ensure the celebrities are judged on their cooking abilities, not just their star power.
The third season of Top Chef VIP, which debuted in May 2024, features a wide range of contestants, from veteran actors to musicians and content creators. The competition format is both exciting and rigorous, pushing the celebrity contestants beyond their comfort zones. As they compete in a series of challenges that test their creativity, technical skills, and ability to handle pressure, the audience sees new sides of their favorite stars. The mix of culinary expertise and celebrity appeal has helped make Top Chef VIP a fan-favorite in the realm of cooking shows.
Name |
Role |
Age |
Hometown |
Claim to Fame |
---|---|---|---|---|
Carmen Villalobos |
Host |
40 |
Barranquilla, Colombia |
Actress |
Antonio de Livier |
Judge |
N/A |
Mexico |
Chef |
Carolina Tejera |
Contestant |
47 |
Venezuela |
Telenovela Actress |
Daniela Castro |
Contestant |
54 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
Actress and Singer |
Danka Castro |
Contestant |
29 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
Content Creator |
Gary Centeno |
Contestant |
36 |
Mexico |
Actor |
Jason Romo |
Contestant |
28 |
Mexico |
Telenovela Actor |
José María Galeano |
Contestant |
44 |
Spain |
Actor |
Mariana Botas |
Contestant |
34 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
Actress |
Mark Tacher |
Contestant |
46 |
Mexico City, Mexico |
Actor and TV Host |
Natalia Juárez |
Contestant |
28 |
Mexico |
Actress and Digital Creator |
Polo Morín |
Contestant |
32 |
Celaya, Mexico |
Actor |
José Luis "El Puma" Rodríguez |
Contestant |
81 |
Venezuela |
Musician and Actor |
Patricia Navidad |
Contestant |
50 |
Mexico |
Actress and Singer |
Diana Reyes |
Contestant |
43 |
Mexico |
Singer |
Carmen Villalobos (40)
Actress
Carmen Villalobos, a Colombian actress best known for her roles in Sin Senos Sí Hay Paraíso and El Señor de los Cielos, serves as the host for Top Chef VIP Season 3. Her presence adds charm and professionalism to the series, guiding the celebrity contestants through their culinary challenges.
Antonio de Livier
Chef
Antonio de Livier returns as a judge for Top Chef VIP. Known for his culinary expertise and being a prominent figure in Mexican gastronomy, de Livier brings a critical eye to the contestants’ dishes, ensuring that they meet high culinary standards.

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Carolina Tejera (47)
Telenovela Actress
Carolina Tejera, a Venezuelan actress, is known for her roles in popular telenovelas like Carissima and Fearless Heart. On Top Chef VIP, Carolina takes on a different kind of challenge, trading in her scripts for cooking utensils.
Daniela Castro (54)
Actress and Singer
Mexican actress and singer Daniela Castro is known for her roles in Burden of Guilt and Cadenas de Amargura. On Top Chef VIP, Daniela shows off her cooking abilities, proving that her talents go beyond the screen.
Danka Castro (29)
Content Creator
Danka Castro, a digital content creator and actress, gained popularity through her role in What Happens to My Family? She s the competition with over 220,000 Instagram followers, bringing her online influence to the kitchen.
Gary Centeno (36)
Actor
Gary Centeno, known for his appearances in Survivor Mexico and telenovelas like The House of Flowers, adds another reality show to his resume with Top Chef VIP. Centeno is no stranger to competition and brings his determination to the culinary stage.
Jason Romo (28)
Telenovela Actor
Jason Romo is best known for his role in Los Elegidos. The 28-year-old telenovela star is ready to prove his skills in the kitchen, competing fiercely to be crowned the winner of Top Chef VIP.
José María Galeano (44)
Actor
José María Galeano, a Spanish actor best known for his role in Que te perdone Dios, brings his dramatic flair to Top Chef VIP. With his acting career spanning both Spain and Latin America, José is eager to take on culinary challenges.
Mariana Botas (34)
Actress
Mexican actress Mariana Botas, famous for her roles in Una Familia de Diez and Diablero, trades in the spotlight for the kitchen on Top Chef VIP. Known for her bubbly personality, Mariana is determined to make a name for herself in the culinary world.
Mark Tacher (46)
Actor and TV Host
Mark Tacher is a well-known actor and television host from Mexico. With appearances in El Señor de los Cielos and as a former host of Nintendomanía, Tacher steps into the kitchen to test his culinary prowess.