All About Britt Rescigno

South Jersey-born Britt Rescigno is an award-winning Food Network chef and restaurateur who believes “life's short, eat sexy food.” The LGBTQ+ chef (who is married to fellow chef Kinsey Leodler-Rescigno) is known for American classics, with an expertise in North Atlantic seafood, as well as Italian fare that celebrates her roots. She’s competed on Chopped, Chopped Champions, Beat Bobby Flay, Alex vs. America, Guy's Grocery Games, Tournament of Champions and Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas. Now, she’s back again, competing in the latest season of Tournament of Champions.

Read on to learn about the chef’s Italian roots, her appearances on your favorite shows and what she’s up to now.

History and Background

Britt graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2009 and said two lessons still stick with her to this day: “Mise en place is the key to success, and clean as you go!” After graduating, she completed an externship at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Massachusetts.

Then, Britt moved to California, where she launched a pop-up restaurant called Nox Farm to Table, which focused on American cuisine. While out West, she consulted and helped open several restaurants, such as Nom Burger and Tap’t Beer & Kitchen. In 2019, she came back to New Jersey and was the executive chef for Delaware Avenue Oyster House on Long Beach Island. She’s also traveled, serving as a consultant chef for various openings and culinary pop-ups.

In 2025, she opened Fiamma with her wife and fellow chef Kinsey Leodler-Rescigno. The two co-own the restaurant, which focuses on live-fire, swanky Italian fare.

Family Life

Long before the Culinary Institute of America, Britt was already immersed in the restaurant industry, as she grew up next door to the family business in New Gretna, New Jersey. “When I was a little kid, I got to work with my grandmother,” she recalled on Beat Bobby Flay. “She told me everything I know.”

Britt married fellow chef Kinsey Leodler-Rescigno in 2024 in Idaho, where they now live and work. However, according to Britt, “You can’t take the Jersey outta this girl!” The couple has two dogs: Hagrid, a German shepherd and Chihuahua mix, and Cannoli, a blue heeler and Siberian husky mix.

Britt’s Food Network Shows

Britt is competing in Season 7 of Tournament of Champions. She’s previously appeared in (and won) episodes of Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped and Guy's Grocery Games. She’s also competed in previous seasons of Tournament of Champions, was a finalist in Alex vs. America and has appeared in a couple of Food Network specials.

Chopped

One of Britt’s biggest Food Network accolades is her win from Season 42, Episode 2 of Chopped. “I still remember the overwhelming feeling of, ‘WTF just happened? How did this happen? And, oh gosh, I’m gonna cry,’” she joked.

Britt also competed in Season 44 of Chopped Champions. In Episode 10, she was hand-picked by the legendary Maneet Chauhan for her culinary team based on Britt’s “risk-taking” in Tournament of Champions. However, the team didn’t secure the win and advance to the finals.

Beat Bobby Flay

On Season 29, Episode 12, Britt did what few chefs can claim: she beat Bobby Flay. And she did it by staying true to her roots and even using some of her grandmother’s recipes, such as classic chicken and dumplings, along the way.

Alex vs. America

In the first episode of Season 2, Britt really flexed her Italian roots, competing against fellow chefs, as well as the celebrated Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli. She ultimately lost in the competition but considers her experience on the show a win.

“Losing Alex vs. America to only Alex was totally fine!” she recalled. “I was proud of the food I cooked. Alex just out-cooked me; she is the queen after all. I was just proud of myself for out-cooking two people who spoke Italian and also lived in Italy.”

Guy’s Grocery Games

After her Chopped success and beating Bobby Flay on his own turf, Britt entered the Flavortown universe on Season 32, Episode 2 of Guy's Grocery Games — and she did not hold back. With a seafood dish using squid snacks and banana leaves, she secured the win, thereby earning a Food Network trifecta of culinary titles. She's been back on the show several times and continues to impress Guy Fieri with her "gangster" flavors.

Tournament of Champions

Britt has competed on Tournament of Champions three times in Seasons 4, 5 and 6. And, in 2025, Britt appeared on the brand-new Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas special. She’s cooked her way to the show’s Final Four many times. However, the chef has never won the show.

But Britt is back again for another season in Tournament of Champions VII. “My strategy has always been the same," she told Food Network. “Stay calm. Let Randa tell me what I’m making and don’t pivot. Stick to cooking my food: sexy food!”

Britt’s Restaurant

In 2025, Britt and her wife opened their own restaurant, Fiamma, in Ketchum, Idaho. The elevated Italian-inspired restaurant focuses on live-fire cooking and features a dramatic hearth. The seasonal menu also emphasizes "fatta a mano,” or handmade, pasta and, according to the restaurant’s website, “a touch of culinary theater to the dining experience.”

Britt’s Philanthropic Work

Britt works with a couple of nonprofit organizations in Idaho, including raising student scholarships for the Sun Valley Culinary Institute, as well as the Sun Valley. In 2024, Britt and her wife started a Community Christmas Dinner for underserved kids in her hometown in New Jersey. “The event has continued annually to ensure local kids and their families all get a nice Christmas dinner and, of course, gifts,” said Britt.

Fun Facts

• Birthday: August 29
• Zodiac Sign: Virgo, of which the chef says she is "through and through"
• Favorite Hobby: “Don’t laugh at me!” she told Food Network. “But it’s definitely getting outside and grilling or making pizzas at home.”
• Favorite Food: “Cheeseburgers, they make me a better person!”
• Least Favorite Food: “I despise watermelon!”
• Fandoms: Pittsburgh sports, Harry Potter, Star Wars and horror movies