Top Chef World All-Stars Cooking Competition Includes South Coast Plaza Celeb Chef

by Stacey Leasca  |  Food & Wine

January 25, 2023

Bravo’s Top Chef is entering its 20th season in style, with World All-Stars in Lonon. 

On Wednesday, the show announced its milestone season will take place in the UK’s largest city, and will feature 16 of its greatest competitors, representing 11 different Top Chef versions around the world. The chefs will battle it out throughout London, before the grand finale in Paris. According to a statement provided to Food & Wine, the chefs will have access to all the best ingredients in the U.K., and will craft their culinary creations in destinations like Highclere Castle and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“This season’s Restaurant Wars also continues to up the ante when Michelin-starred Chef Clare Smyth hands over her restaurant and staff so that each team can deliver a meal worthy of a star,” the premiere date announcement explains. “The teams are in for a surprise, however, when they find out a secret critic will be joining the judging panel. To rise above the pack, the cheftestants will have to bring their A-game for the fastest Elimination Challenge in Top Chef history.”

Padma Lakshmi is back to host, alongside head judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, who will be joined by a rotating list of acclaimed international chefs and culinary experts as guest judges each week. Top Chef season 20 premieres Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Episodes will be available the following day on Peacock.)

The winning chef will take home the Grand Prize of $250,000 provided by the Saratoga Brand, a feature right here in Food & Wine, and will make an appearance at the 40th annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. 

Ready to see who’s competing? Check out all the chefs and their bios provided by Bravo below.

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Amar Santana

Hometown: Dominican Republic and Queens, NY
Current city: Santa Ana, CA, USA
Occupation: Executive Chef/Owner, Broadway by Amar Santana in Laguna Beach, California and Vaca Restaurant in Costa Mesa, California.
Last season: Finalist, Top Chef California, Season 13  

Amar Santana serves as the Executive Chef and owner at Broadway By Amar Santana in Laguna Beach, and Vaca in Costa Mesa, Calif. Born in the Dominican Republic, he immigrated to the US at 13 and began his culinary career at 16. He has been mentored by some of the world’s most renowned chefs, including Charlie Palmer, who helped him develop his skills of expressing his passion through food. By combining flavors and culinary traditions from all over the world, Amar provides a truly unforgettable gastronomical experience. He was the runner-up on Top Chef season 13 in California and has also competed internationally for the Korean culinary series Korean Food Battle, finishing as a finalist.

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