Chef Eric Adjepong is a Food Network favorite. He most recently appears as the host of Wildcard Kitchen and Alex vs. America, but the New York native has been involved in food competition shows since 2018. He's judged; he's hosted; and, of course, he's competed. Ahead, learn more about Eric, his upbringing, cooking style and more.

History and Background

Eric grew up in the Bronx — one of the five boroughs of New York City — as a first-generation Ghanaian-American. His childhood home was rich with Ghanaian culture, passed down from his parents who grew up there. He credits the West African-style cuisine he's now famous for to the many West African dishes he grew up eating.

After graduating with degrees in Culinary Arts and Nutrition from Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island, Eric earned his Masters of Public Health in International Public Health and Nutrition from the University of Westminster in London. From there, he cooked in several Michelin-starred restaurants before taking his talents to Top Chef.

Was Eric on 'Top Chef'?

Eric rose to fame during Season 16 of Bravo's Top Chef. He made it to the Top Chef: Kentucky finale where he competed against Kelsey Barnard Clark of Alabama and Sara Bradley of Kentucky. Kelsey was named the overall winner, but the competition kick-started Eric's career.

Eric's Food Network Shows

Today, Eric hosts Food Network's Alex vs. America, a show in which talented chefs attempt to take down Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, the most feared and accomplished competition cook in America. He also hosts Wildcard Kitchen, a late-night culinary card game where all-star chefs bet, bluff and backstab for cash and bragging rights. He's also appeared in Selena + Chef and competed in Tournament of Champions, Chopped, Guy’s Grocery Games, Supermarket Stakeout and more.

African Influence in Eric's Cooking

"The mother sauce is made when you stir your culture into your craft," Eric writes on his website. He's famous for incorporating African flavors into the food he makes, a talent he fully credits, not to his culinary education, but to his parents.

"I spent most of my early career working the line in several Manhattan restaurants, preparing food that I didn’t connect with nearly as much as the food I was so deeply inspired by while living in the Bronx," Eric wrote in the Washington Business Journal.

"I think my career is just a culmination of wanting to know more and wanting to really hit all facets of this industry," he told People in 2022.

Fun Facts About Eric

• Birthday: August 5
• Zodiac sign: Leo
• Current residence: Baltimore, Maryland

What is Eric's Family History?

Eric's parents were born in Ghana and immigrated to the United States (settling in the Bronx) in the late 1980's. His father was a yellow taxi cab driver and his mother worked at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center.

Eric's daughter Lennox was born in September of 2018. "Aside from being the best boss I could ask for, I’ve lucked out and have the most amazing daughter too," Eric wrote in an Instagram post in 2024. "I’m so proud of this girl!"

In 2022, Eric told People his favorite type of Sunday is hanging out with and cooking for his daughter.

Eric's Restaurant

"Elmina is a contemporary Ghanaian restaurant celebrating the rich culture of the region and continent. A project that’s been in my heart since I was 10 years old all comes to life," Eric writes on an Instagram post. The menu at Eric's restaurant offers a variety of dishes boasting crispy plantains, crudo and tartar, beet salad, an entire section dedicated to chichinga and more. Follow @elmina.dc on Instagram. Visit Elmina at 2208 14th Street NW, Washington D.C.

Eric's Books

Eric has written two books. His first, a children’s book titled Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging, was published by Penguin Workshop in 2023.

His debut cookbook, Ghana to the World, is set to publish with Clarkson Potter in March of 2025. He describes Ghana to the World as "a love letter to West African cooking, and the influence it continues to have on the culinary landscape."

Eric's Partnerships

Eric has a longstanding commitment to Save the Children and will soon join the likes Jennifer Garner and Dakota Fanning as a global ambassador. In 2024 he traveled to Malawi with the organization on a mission trip.

In 2024, Eric announced his first-ever collection with home retailer Crate & Barrel. The collection — like Eric's cooking — was a vibrant array of tableware and kitchen tools influenced from his West African heritage and New York City roots. Eric visited Bolgatanga, Ghana to meet all of the skilled weavers who made the market baskets for the line, which is now almost sold out nationwide.

What’s Eric Doing Now?

Eric is currently the host of Food Network's Wildcard Kitchen and Alex vs. America. He owns and operates a restaurant called Elmina, which is located in Washington D.C.