By now, you probably know that the next season of “Top Chef” will be set in Wisconsin. Emmy Award Winner Cooking competition show He spent about six weeks late last summer filming on locations split between Milwaukee and Madison, pushing hopeful chefs to the limit while showcasing the state's fresh produce, world-class dairy products and exceptional culinary scene.
But aside from tuning in to see our state shine on the small screen, there's a new reason to get even more excited: A Milwaukee chef will be competing on his home turf for the title of Top Chef, a $250,000 cash prize, and a $250,000 cash prize. A feature in Food & Wine and an appearance at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen.
Dan Jacobs, chef and co-owner of Milwaukee Dandan, 360e. Erie Street, W Esterive (soon to open in its new space in Bay View), is among 15 “Cheftestants” from across the country competing on Season 21 of “Top Chef,” which premieres March 20.
Bravo released trailer The new season's premiere date and full contestant lineup were announced on Wednesday morning.
“It's amazing to see Milwaukee represented in such an amazing way,” Jacobs said in a statement. Where am I today?”
Jacobs, a Chicago native, moved to Milwaukee in 2011 and worked in the kitchens at Roots, Wolf Peach And Strange duck before opening Chinese-American restaurant DanDan with chef and co-owner Dan Van Rite in 2016. That year, the duo also opened the fine-dining menu restaurant EsterEv, located inside DanDan.
Jacobs and Van Wright recently received their sixth James Beard Semifinalist nomination for their work on EsterEv.
“Top Chef” is an extremely grueling competition, with challenges that require contestants to prepare perfect dishes in less-than-ideal conditions and under limited time constraints. As if the pressure wasn't enough, Jacobs competed while battling the effects of Kennedy's disease, a neuromuscular condition he was diagnosed with in 2016 that causes muscle atrophy and the slowly deteriorating ability to swallow, speak, walk, and use the hands for everyday tasks.
“The main reason I wanted to compete on Top Chef was to inspire people with disabilities,” Jacobs said. “I hope this platform will allow me to inspire people with different abilities to follow their passions, especially in the culinary world where physical limitations can be a huge barrier.”
On March 3, before his first appearance on “Top Chef,” Jacobs will host Dim Sum and Give Some, a culinary event to raise money for research and awareness of Kennedy's disease. “Top Chef” Season 4 winner Stephanie Izard and “Top Chef” Season 15 winner Joe Flamm will be in attendance, as will Jacobs’ fellow “Top Chef” Season 21 competitor Kalina Bliss of Cindy’s Rooftop restaurant in Chicago.
Challenges throughout the season will highlight Wisconsin traditions and staples, including a cheese festival competition, a Door County fish boil, creating a club dinner menu and showcasing the diversity of Wisconsin-grown cranberries and Door County cherries. Even the Milwaukee Brewers' famous racing hot dogs will be in on the action.
Here's the full cast list for Season 21 of “Top Chef”:
- Kalina Place – Chicago, Illinois
- Kevin D'Andrea – Austin, Texas
- Alisha Ellens – Chicago, Illinois
- Danny Garcia – New York, New York
- Valentine Howell Jr. – Boston, Massachusetts
- Dan Jacobs – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Manny Barilla Lopez – Denver, CO
- Savannah Miller – Durham, North Carolina
- David Murphy – San Francisco, California
- Kenny Nguyen – Athens, Georgia
- Laura Ozelmaz – San Francisco, California
- Charlie Pierre – New Orleans, LA
- Amanda Turner – Austin, Texas
- Rasika Venkatesa – San Francisco, California
- Michelle Wallace – Houston, Texas
Season 21 will be the first hosted by “Top Chef” Season 10 winner Kristin Kish, who took over after longtime host Padma Lakshmi resigned last year. Judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons will return to the show.
Top Chef Wisconsin: Kristin Kish, Gail Simmons, and Tom Colicchio talk about the things they enjoyed while filming here
This season will include some fun twists in the competition. First, each episode will be 75 minutes long (more time for a Wisconsin show!). Additionally, contestants will have a chance to win cash in each Quickfire Challenge, and immunity will be up for grabs in Elimination Challenges, meaning the winner will automatically be safe in the next episode.
Throughout the competition, “Top Chef” winners, finalists and favorites return to offer their guidance and expertise, including Sarah Bradley, Joe Flamm, Jeremy Ford, Gregory Gourdet, Stephanie Izard, Carla Hall, Ed Lee, Mei Lin, Buddha Lu and Kwame. Onwuachi, Shota Nagikama, Amar Santana, Justin Sutherland and Brian Voltaggio.
An elite group of rotating judges and panelists will also appear throughout the season, including an appearance by Milwaukee native Dane Baldwin, chef and co-owner of the Milwaukee restaurant. Diplomat; com. restauranteur Paul Bartolotta; Adam Siegel, Executive Chef and Owner Lupe and Iris; Madison tori miller, executive chef and co-owner of L'Etoile; Itaru Nagano and Andrew Krueger, chefs and owners of Madison Fairchild restaurant; Joe and Sheena Babach, co-owners of Madison Harvey House; Elena Terry, Executive Chef and Founder of Wisconsin Dells Wild bears; Wisconsin native and comedian Charlie Berens; and former Milwaukee Brewer Ryan Braun.
Other panelists include Dominique Crane, Curtis Duffy, Clea Duvall, Emeril Lagasse, Hunter Lewis, Brescia Lopez, Kari Nahabian, Justin Piccitronsi, Sophia Rowe, Sean Sherman, Helmie Smulders, Art Smith, Brittany Snow, Christina Tosi, Eric Williams, And David. Zilber.
Although most of the challenges are taped in Wisconsin, the season finale will take place on a Holland America cruise ship, where the finalists must prepare a four-course meal for the judges.
“Top Chef” Season 21 will premiere on Bravo at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Episodes will be available the next day on the streaming service Peacock.
Watch the full trailer below for a sneak peek at Season 21 of “Top Chef.”
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