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13 Things You Didn't Know About Amanda Freitag

Discover everything you wanted to know about Food Network’s Chopped judge and American Diner Revival star.

Photo: Susan Magnano

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Get the Scoop

How much do you know about Amanda Freitag when she's not behind the chopping block or revitalizing diner menus? Read on to discover her guilty-pleasure food, kitchen must-have and ideal last supper.

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Most-Hated Ingredient to Work With: Sea Urchin

Beautifully decorated table with white plates, crystal glasses, cutlery and flowers on luxurious tablecloths

Photo: Tatiana Epifanova ©

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Most-Memorable Meal: First Meal at NYC’s Bouley

Chopped: After Hours host Aaron Sanchez talks to chef Geoffrey Zakarian while he and chefs Amanda Freitag and Alex Guarnaschelli work on their entrees that must include: deep dish pizza dough, rabbit escabeche, swiss chard and pineapple cheese spread, as seen on Food Network's Chopped: After Hours.

Photo: David Lang ©

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Least Favorite Food: Monkfish Liver Terrine

Closeup of paella with seafood on a wooden table, selective focus.

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One Dish to Always Order Out: Paella

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Guilty-Pleasure Food: A Juicy Burger

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Must-Have Kitchen Tool: Vitamix Blender

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Favorite Food Cities: San Francisco and Portland (Oregon)

Rival Chef Amanda Freitag hugs fellow safe Rival Chef Elizabeth Falkner after the for the "White Bread" as seen on Food Network's Season 5.

Photo: Eddy Chen / Creel Films ©

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Dream Career (Besides Food): Artist/Performer

Chefs: Aaron Sanchez jokes with Amanda Freitag and Scott Conant after finishing their dishes that must have included: cherry drink soaked pickles, lamb chops, kale chips and ricotta salata, as seen on Food Network's Chopped After Hours, season 21.

Photo: David Lang ©

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Last Supper: Scott Conant’s Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil

Photo: Piotr Tomicki

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Favorite Cooking Partners: Her Nieces, Lizzie and Megan

Mashed potato with gravy poured over.

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Must-Have Comfort Food: Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

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First Job in the Industry: Busgirl

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Late-Night Snack of Choice: Cookies and Milk or Chips and Guac

Amanda Freitag and Ted Allen during a grandma theme webisode with special ingredients, meatloaf, sweet potatoes, green beans, and an old fashioned, as seen on Food Network’s Chopped After Hours, Season 24.

Photo: Todd Plitt ©

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Want More Amanda Freitag?

Head over to Food Network’s Chopped page to see her in action and learn more about the other judges.

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