Premiering on Bravo in March of 2006, most popular reality cooking competition series on television. Hosted by Tom Colicchio, Pa Lakshmi, and Gail Simmons, the series is currently in the middle of its 18th season, which is set in Portland, Oregon.
In addition to spawning several spinoff series, Top Chef has featured a humongous cast of celebrity chefs, many of whom were not as famous when they competed as they are today. Some even became so famous after competing that they went on to serve as a guest judge on the show.
Tiffany Faison
Current fans of the Food Network will recognize the ubiquitous face of Tiffany Faison, a celebrity judge on Chopped, as well as a contestant on various shows such as Tournament of Champions. However, they may not her stint on Top Chef.
Nicknamed "Sweet T," Faison first competed on Top Chef during the show's inaugural season in 2006, where she finished as a runner-up to winner Harold Dieterle. Faison would continue to compete on the show an additional 10 times or so until she became a guest judge in 2014. Faison has also appeared on such culinary shows as Simply Ming and Fire Masters.
Spike Mendelsohn
Worldly chef Spike Mendelsohn parlayed his 5th place finish in Top Chef season 4 into high-profile celebrity status by appearing in several seasons and spinoff shows.
After competing on Top Chef nearly 30 times over three seasons, Mendelsohn appeared in Life After Top Chef, and Top Chef: All-Stars before branching out to such shows as Bar Rescue, Iron Chef America, and Rachel Ray. Mendelsohn is poised to make his acting debut as an optometrist in the film, American Criminals.
Candice Kumai
When Candice Kumai competed as the youngest cook on Top Chef season 1, she was not as much of a household name as she is nowadays. After competing on four episodes, Kumai was eliminated from the competition with a ninth-place finish.
Since her time on the show, Kumai's celebrity has increased dramatically. The Pretty Delicious author has appeared on several culinary shows, talk shows, and most recently appeared as a guest chef on Today. In 2021, Kumai wrote and directed her first documentary film, Kintsugi Wellness.
Michael Voltaggio
While both he and his brother Bryan competed on the show, Michael Voltaggio's Hollywood filmography bests his sibling's celebrity status. After competing on Top Chef a dozen times or so, Michael Voltaggio was named winner of season 6.
Voltaggio has since become a visible mainstay on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel, appearing on everything from Suburgatory.
Nyesha Arrington
After competing on eight episodes of Top Chef season 9 from 2011 t0 2012, Los Angeles chef Nyesha Arrington finished in a tie for 11th/12th place. Since then, she's become a Food Network stalwart, appearing on such shows as The Kitchen, Guy's Grocery Games, and most recently, Tournament of Champions.
In addition to competing and guest judging on various culinary shows such as The Taste in 2014-2015, Arrington has also logged an acting credit in the 2018 series, Grade A Kitchen.
Richard Blais
Since finishing in 3rd place on Top Chef season 4, Richard Blais has not only become one of the show's most famous celebrity judges, he's also remained a near-permanent fixture as a judge on The Food Network's Guy's Grocery Games. He's also appeared on such non-cooking shows as Today and Good Morning America.
Blais cemented his celebrity chef status by appearing as himself in the 2016 comedy starring Bryan Cranston, Zoe Deutsch, and James Franco.
Antonia Lafaso
Richard Blais barely bested celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso in Top Chef Season 4, who finished in 4th place in the competition before becoming a guest judge on the show in 2016. Since her time on the show, Lofaso's celebrity has skyrocketed.
In addition to appearing on a slew of Food Network shows, Lofaso has branched out by appearing on Good Morning America, The Talk, FabLife, The Real O'Neals, and more.
Marcel Vigneron
Unless you caught his brief return in 2018, it's hard to Marcel Vigneron's 2nd place finish back on Top Chef season 2 in 2006. However, Vigneron capitalized on his time on the show by hosting his own molecular gastronomy series, Marcel's Quantum Kitchen, in 2011. In 2012, he competed on The Next Iron Chef.
In recent years, Vigneron has appeared on Iron Chef America, Home & Family, Tournament of Champions, and Guy's Grocery Games.
Brooke Williamson
Given her status as a Top Chef judge as recently as 2020 and a Top Chef Jr. judge since 2017, it's easy to forget that the ultra-talented Brooke Williamson began competing on the series back in 2012. She finished in 2nd place before returning to take home the top prize four years later.
Williamson won Food Network's inaugural Tournament of Champions and finished second to Maneet Chauhan in the second season. While Williamson is widely credited as playing a ballet dancer in the 2016 TV movie, Center Stage: On Pointe, it's apparently a Top Chef myth.
Carla Hall
Like the rest of the competitors on the list, Carla Hall has become a familiar face since her time on Top Chef. Before becoming a guest judge on a variety of cooking shows, Hall placed third in season 5.
It's easy to forget Hall's time on the show due to her diverse resume, including appearances in Girls Trip, Nashville, General Hospital, BoJack Horseman, and more. Hall is also set to star in the animated film, Mall Santa.