‘Top Chef’ Season 20 Cast Revealed: Meet the All-Star Chefs
Too many chefs in the kitchen! Top chef Season 20 will unite 16 alumni from around the world in a new competition to determine who is the best all-star.
The contestants, a mix of chefs from Bravo’s version of the show and 10 international editions, will compete across London and visit iconic locations such as Highclere Castle (where Downton Abbey was filmed) for the final, which will take place in Paris. This is the first time Top Chef has spent an entire season overseas, but as the series takes on new places, fans will see familiar faces. Host Padma Lakshmichief judge Tom Colicchio and judge Gail Simmons are all ready to return.
“Many of you have been asking when #TopChef returns and I’m happy to announce it premieres on @bravotv on Thursday March 9th ✨ and this time we’re international, baby!” Lakshimi, 52, captioned several photos via Instagram on Wednesday, January 25. “It’s a global All Stars season and I mean it when I say filming in London has been one of the highlights of my life. Top chef care. I can’t wait for you to see it!!”
The American public will recognize four of the chefs from Bravo’s Top Chef. Buddha Lowas the winner of season 19, while alum of season 13 Amara Santana season 16 Sarah Bradley and Dawn Burrell as of season 18, each were finalists in their respective years. Their competitors come from different iterations of the show set in France, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Thailand and the Middle East/North Africa.
None of the chefs are from the UK which will make their challenges a bit more difficult. The chefs will have their twist on iconic British staples, from Beef Wellington and biscuits to pub food and afternoon tea.
The cheftestants will have to submit their A-game for the fastest Elimination Challenge Top chef history and hit all the right notes by cooking Indian food for Lakshimi and the judges.
In addition to Colicchio, Lakshmi and Simmons, leading judges from the international editions will perform. Expect to see Aquiles Chavez (right, Top Chef Mexico), Helene Darroze (right, Chef France), Lorna Maseko (host, South Africa’s top chef),Martha Ortiz (right, Top Chef Mexico) and Dave Zilber(right, Canada’s top chef).
The cast should also impress a rotation of esteemed global culinary experts, including Gaggan Anand, Sam Bompas, Tom Brown, Jeremy Chan, Brett Graham, Max Halley, Adam Handling, Angela Hartnett, Graham Hornigold, Judy Joe, Asma Khan, Santiago Lastra, Gr Marchand, Claire Smith ,Kirk Westaway, Andrew WongandPaul A Young . ChiefAlan Ducassealso rarely appears in the season 20 finale.
The Top Chef all-stars aren’t just looking for approval; they play for a big prize. The winning chef is crowned Top Chef World All-Star, takes home $250,000, stars in a feature film in Food & Wine and make an appearance at the 40th annualFood & Wine Classic in Aspen.
To handle the epic showdown, the reality series needs super-sized episodes. Each episode lasts an hour and 15 minutes.
Top chef Season 20 premieres on Bravo Thursday, March 9. Episodes are available on Peacock the next day.
Scroll down to meet the cast ofTop chef season 20: