Meet the Chefs Competing on Chopped: All-American Showdown

Chopped host Ted Allen and the judges are ready to welcome 16 talented chefs from across the country.

Sara is the chef and owner of Tiny Fish Company in Oregon. She has received a lot of recognition throughout her career, such as being a James Beard Award semi-finalist, and was listed in Zagat’s 30 Under 30. Sara is ready to give it her all and win this tournament!

Rashida is the chef and owner of Bridgetown Roti in Los Angeles, and she makes Caribbean food inspired by her roots in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. In her restaurant, they incorporate techniques that she has learned from working in both Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning restaurants. Rashida has won various awards and feels like LA has embraced her as a person and chef, so she is proud to represent the West.

Min is the executive chef of Mizumi in Las Vegas, and he has guided the restaurant to earn several awards and features. He specializes in a lot of Asian cuisines, especially Japanese, and he appreciates the diversity of people, cultures, and flavors found in the West. As always, Min strives for perfection, and he is here to win!

Hosea was born and raised in the West. He is the chef and owner of restaurants Black Belly and Santo in Boulder, CO and his restaurants are all about good quality and fresh ingredients. Throughout his career, Hosea has won a lot of competitions and awards, and he is very honored to represent the West in this tournament.

Omar is a chef and owner of Saffron De Twah in Detroit. Growing up, he ate a lot of Moroccan food, and those flavors are now reflected in the food that he makes. Both Omar and his restaurant have had huge successes, like being semi-finalists for James Beard Awards. Omar loves Detroit and its melting pot of cuisines and people, so he is determined to bring back a win for his city.

Andy is a chef and co-owner of Cobble Hill restaurant in Iowa. The North is known for meat and potatoes, and Andy takes that classic food combo and elevates it. Throughout the years, Andy has been nominated for a James Beard Award, and his restaurant was nominated as one of the best in Iowa. For this tournament, he is ready to battle and show that Iowa brings amazing cuisine.

Karyn is a chef and owner of Myriel in Minnesota. Her restaurant was featured as one of the Best New Restaurants in America by Esquire Magazine. By using highly localized ingredients, she represents the landscape of the North in her food. Overall, Karyn doesn't easily get intimidated, and she hopes to be the chef representing the North in the finale.

Jill is the executive chef and co-owner of Salt in Ohio. She has been in the restaurant business for several years, and she loves the intensity of it. Throughout her career, she has been nominated for James Beard Awards and was listed as one of the top chefs in Cleveland. Jill is ready to give it her all in this tournament and cook her way to victory.

Javier is a chef and owner of Degust in Houston. He grew up in Mexico City, so he is bringing in a new concept of what Southern food is. His restaurant is known for its 14-course tasting menu, and it was named one of the Best New Restaurants in America by Esquire magazine. In this tournament, he wants to show the judges that there's a lot of diversity in the South, and he knows that his flavors will blow them away.

Sara is a chef from Kentucky, and she claims that nobody knows Southern food more than she does. She describes her food as soulful, new, and interesting. Throughout her career, she has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants and cooked at the James Beard House. Entering this tournament, she is excited to both cook and win!

Scotley was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in Jamaica. But it was after he moved to Atlanta that he made his name as a chef. Atlanta embraced him and his talents, and he was even featured in Atlanta Magazine as one of the best rising-star chefs. Now here to represent Atlanta, Scotley is ready to give it his all and win this tournament.

Austin was born and raised in Mississippi, and he likes to cook Southern coastal cuisine. He attended the Culinary Institute of America and has received a lot of recognition, such as being nominated for a James Beard Award. Austin comes from a long line of chefs, and he wants to prove that he is the best chef from the South.

Lee is the chef and owner of four restaurants throughout Lehigh Valley, PA. He has been nominated for three James Beard Awards and was featured in Condé Nast’s Best Restaurants in the World. Growing up, Lee played football, which is how he got his competitive spirit. So now, he is ready to crush this competition!

Shenarri is one of the most recognized vegan chefs in the entire country. She is the executive chef at Cadence in New York City, which is known for its vegan soul food. Cadence was named one of the New York Times’ Top 50 Restaurants, and Shenarri has been named the Rising Chef Star of the Year by Esquire. The East Coast food scene is very competitive, but she is ready to be at the top.

Elijah is an executive chef from Philadelphia, and since his early 20s, he’s been considered one of the best chefs in the city. At only 22, he was the executive chef at Stateside, which was listed in Philadelphia Magazine’s Top 50 Restaurants. He has received a lot of recognition throughout his career and is proud to represent the East Coast in this competition.