Meet the Chefs of the Cutthroat Kitchen: Evilicious Tournament

Get to know the 16 competitors returning to the Cutthroat arena for a second dose of sabotage.

In Their Own Words

Hear from all 16 contenders as they reflect on their past Cutthroat battles and look ahead at their evilicious expectations for the tournament.

Heat 1: Matthew Grunwald

"I am Chef Matthew Grunwald from Scottsdale, Ariz. Last time you might remember #yolo. Well, I'm going to be adding a #justkidding because I'm here for a second time. This is my redemption. I am here to win."

Heat 1: Morgan Bonazzola

"I'm Chef Morgan from Portland, Ore. Last time I wore an egg on my head and didn't drop it once, but the salsa bar sent me home. This time I need to redeem myself as a chef and a game player."

Heat 1: Robert Burmeister

"I'm Chef Robert from Staten Island, N.Y. I may have been known as a little bit of a bully 'cause of my deep voice and my stature. There's a finale up for grabs; I want that stop to be King of Cutthroat Kitchen."

Heat 1: Tom Lin

"I'm Chef Tom; you might remember me as the dancing samurai chef. Last time I was here, I had to cook with a torch — and I still won. And I'm here to do it again. Hiya!"

Heat 2: Jason Febres

"I'm Chef Jason from Wichita, Kan. When I was in Cutthroat Kitchen last time, they gave me pulverized bananas, and I also had to make ice cream in a freaking ball. I want to get first place so badly because I felt it should have been mine last time. So this time, it is going to be mine."

Heat 2: Kori Rayburn

"I'm Chef Kori, owner and chef of an amazing food truck here in Los Angeles. Last time I was here I put a Latin spin on all of my dishes, and I flew right through and won the entire thing. My Latin flavors totally helped me, so I'm definitely doing it again."

Heat 2: Leelee Wiginton

"I'm Chef Wiginton, a Season 2 winner. Last time I was here I was very underestimated, but I proved my strength in the end. The curls and the pearls are here to stay."

Heat 2: Sam "Sammy" Monsour

"I'm Chef Sammy. I lost in the final round — I got stuck by a huge block of ice. I'm like the Titanic of chefs."

Heat 3: Alexis Hernandez

"I’m Chef Alexis, and I’m a restaurant owner and an executive chef in Atlanta. Last time in Cutthroat Kitchen I really didn’t win [since I tied!]. I’m here today because I want to win this competition and have only my name attached to it."

Heat 3: Frances

"I’m Chef Frances from New York City. Last time I was here I chopped my opponent's steak into pieces. This time the stakes are even higher. I’m not here to win the money; I’m here to prove that I’m the best of the best."

Heat 3: Jernard Wells

"I’m Chef Jernard, and I’m an executive chef from Chattanooga, Tenn. Also known as the love chef, I sent my opponents on dates. I sent 'em wondering around on boxes — and then I sent 'em all home. I eat, sleep and breathe love all at the same time. You can’t stop the love train; you either get on board or get run over."

Heat 3: Tommy Stevens

"I’m Chef Tommy, and I’m a chef from Brewster, N.Y. Last time I was on Cutthroat Kitchen, I had to pick pasta off a painting of Alton's face. Now I’m going to pick apart these chefs."

Heat 4: Aaron Crumbaugh

"I'm Chef Aaron from Spokane, Wash. You may remember me as the underwear model with the blowtorch between his legs. My friends, my family, my boss teases me nonstop, so I've got to redeem myself."

Heat 4: Carlos Anthony

"I'm Chef Carlos from San Diego. I'm back in here in Cutthroat Kitchen for one reason, and that's to win — again! Winning just once wasn't enough for me. I want the title. I want to be the best in Cutthroat Kitchen history."

Heat 4: Tregaye Fraser

"I'm Chef Tregaye from Atlanta. You just might remember me from my time with Sally the Cow. She's back! So, you know, I hope they were at home, in their books reading and practicing, and doing whatever it is that they need to do to try to beat me, because they're going to need every single thing that they got in them — everything!"

Heat 4: Yaku Moton-Spruill

"I'm Chef Yaku, and I'm here from San Francisco. And you might remember me as the big guy who was brought to his knees in the final round. This time, at the end when the smoke settles, I will be standing victorious!"

Want More Cutthroat Kitchen: Evilicious?

Check out Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen: Evilicious headquarters for more photos, plus insider videos and additional coverage of the tournament.

On Tonight

Cutthroat Kitchen