Food Network's 2023 Hot List: One Year Later

These six superstar chefs were among Food Network's second annual Hot List in 2023. Now we're following up with them to see what they've been up to and what's next for them in 2024.

If you love all things Italy, chances are you know (and love) Gabe. He broke out on the scene in April as a co-host and judge on Ciao House alongside Alex Guarnaschelli. Now getting ready for its second season, Ciao House brings together talented chefs to compete and live in a gorgeous Italian villa for the chance to score a coveted culinary education in Italy. The first season was set in the gorgeous rolling hills of Tuscany. But this year, Gabe and Alex are heading to the shore for a truly Pugliese adventure with tons of seafood and handmade pasta.

Let's start with this: Esther has been BUSY! We first met her in late 2022, fresh off her win against Bobby Flay. Since then, she's been an integral part of Food Network's lineup, both as a competing chef and a judge. This year she joined Bobby Flay again, not to battle him again but rather to face off against his three titans on Bobby's Triple Threat... and she won! With that supreme victory, she earned a nice chunk of cash and a standing invite to Club 3 in the future. She also joined Michael Symon's elite team at the Memphis in May barbecue competition on BBQ USA. Stay tuned for more news soon about what else she's cooking up this year.

Give it up for Paola: She announced last year that she's writing her first-ever cookbook, Life Is a Bodega: A Baking Book, With Love from the Bronx, which will include tons of her droolworthy recipes for Dominican pastries. She's also showcasing her Caribbean Latino dishes on our Served Family Style series. From tostones and cheese empanadas to sweet cookies like Mantecaditos, Paola's favorites are sure to be your new cravings.

Shota is no stranger to culinary competitions, so it's no surprise that this year he entered the most-esteemed contests out there. After a stellar run on Tournament of Champions, Shota entered the All-Star Tournament on Guy’s Grocery Games. Then he tried his hand at Bobby’s Triple Threat, where he battled not one, not two, but three of his friends and culinary mentors, and claimed victory over Team Titan! He’s a force to be reckoned with, and we know we’ll be seeing more of him as times goes on.

You're likely seeing Fariyal everywhere since she landed on the Hot List last year. She's judging some of our biggest shows, like Chopped, Alex vs. America and Beat Bobby Flay, and overseeing the kitchen at one of New York City's most-beloved restaurants, Hav & Mar. She's the executive chef at this seafood-focused eatery, which was named one of New York's Best 12 New Restaurants of 2023 by the New York Times.