Excellent chef found its new host — and it didn’t have to go far to do so.
Kristen Kish, who won the 10th season of Bravo’s cooking contest and has been a guest judge several times since, will succeed Padma Lakshmi in season 21. Excellent chef will set up its kitchen in Wisconsin for the upcoming season, focusing on Milwaukee and Madison. Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons will once again sit at the judges’ table.
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Lakshmi, who hosted Excellent chef since its second season in 2006-07, announced on June 2 that she was leaving the series. “Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am immensely proud to have been a part of building such a successful show and the impact it has had in the world of television and food,” she said. “After 17 years, many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly.”
Sources say the search for a new host has focused on the past Excellent chef competitors who also have other experience in front of the camera. Kish quickly became a favorite for the job.
“Excellent chef This is where I began my journey – first as a competitive chef, then as a guest judge. Now, as host, I have the honor to help continue to build this brand,” Kish said in a statement. “I am delighted to sit alongside Gail and Tom as we get to know some amazing new chefs and see what they are up to. It feels like coming home.
Casey Kriley and Jo Sharon, co-CEO of series producer Magical Elves, said: “Kristen is a beloved part of the Excellent chef family, and we are thrilled to have her join and bring her unique, fresh and global culinary perspective, as well as her genuine passion for food, to the competition. We look forward to Season 21 and know our future chefs will be inspired by the burgeoning culinary scene in Milwaukee and Madison, known for blending tradition with innovation and using farm-fresh ingredients.
In addition to his time on Excellent chef, Kish, owner of Arlo Gray at Austin’s Line Hotel, has presented several other food and travel shows across multiple platforms. She is a host and producer of Nat Geo’s Restaurants at the end of the world and co-host Netflix Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend and TruTV fast food. She also previously hosted Travel Channel’s 36 hoursbased on New York Times column of the same title.
Executive Product of Kriley and Sharon Excellent chef with Doneen Arquines, Hillary Olsen and Tracy Tong.
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