Yes, Chef!is NBC’s newest cooking competition show, and here are the 12 contestants competing for the grand prize. The series follows these chefs as they battle it out in the kitchen to prove their culinary skills and overcome personal challenges holding them back. Like manyreality cooking competitions,the show promises unexpected twists and challengesthat will turn up the heat. Whether they are ready or not, the experience will test their determination—not only to win the $250,000 prize, but to also unlock their full potential.
NBC revealedin an article that Emmy Award winners Martha Stewart and José Andrés will be hosting and judging the competition. Thesetwo culinary legends will guide the chefs through each challenge, offering advice to help them sharpen their skills and confront their personal challenges. The contestant who achieves personal growth while excelling in the kitchen will take home the cash prize. Here are the 12 participants ready to prove themselves and earn their spot at the top.
Christopher Morales
An Executive Chef
Christopher Morales is the executive chef atGregory’s Steakhouse,in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Though he didn’t attend culinary school, hehas a lot of experience working for many high-end kitchensacross the country. His specialties include fish, steaks and homemade pasta.
Christopher was nominated by his former Sous Chef, Zach, who hopes the series will help him become a better leader in the kitchen.
After working closely with Christopher, Zach experienced his belligerent management and harsh critiques in the kitchen—traits that may be holding him back from becoming the mentor his team needs. Audiences can most likely expect to see Christopher’s words ruffling a few feathers with other contestants onNBC’sYes, Chef!
Emily Brubaker
A Resort Executive Chef
Emily Brubaker is the Executive Chef atOmni La Costa Resort and Spa, located in Carlsbad, California. She was classically French-trained with a concentration in American, Italian and French fine dining. Though Emily has worked with renowned chefs, her husband Jake nominated her in hopes of furthering her career. While she’s a strong leader, her impatience and stubbornness with others have created professional roadblocks. As a result, her confidence has suffered—something she hopes to rebuild throughthe cooking competition.
Jake Lawler
Jake Lawler serves as the Executive Chef atVintage Brewing Co.in Maddison, Wisconsin. His culinary journey includesworking in Michelin-starred kitchens, and specializing in French and Italian cuisine. He was nominated by his front-of-house manager and friend, Brandon, who hopes the show will help him take the next step in his career. However, he’s also seen Jake become defensive and lose his temper in the kitchen. Viewers can likely expect Jake to butt heads with other contestants as the tension rises. Nonetheless, Vintage has already shared their excitement about his appearance on their Instagram(@vintagebrewingco).
Julia Chebotar
A Private Chef
Julia Chebotar is a Private Chef based in New York, specializing in organic and nutritious cuisines. However, she is no stranger to the spotlight, having woncooking competitions like Choppedin 2019, and season 2 ofKitchen Crashin 2021. While she thrives in competitive environments,Julia struggles to collaborate with others.Her friend Lauren nominated her forYes, Chef!in hopes that Julia could overcome this challenge and learn to work as part of a team—an essential skill she’ll need if she hopes to take home the grand prize.
Katsuji Tanabe
A Seasoned Restaurateur
Katsuji Tanabe is a seasoned Restaurateur with over 13 restaurants nationwide, each offering a variety of cuisines. Like Julia, he’s no stranger to television, having appeared on shows likeTop Chef,Bobby’s Triple Threat, Chopped,and many others. Known for hiscompetitive spirit and habit of challenging othersin the kitchen, Katsuji was nominated by his business partner, Esther. She hopes the experience will help him shift his approach and attitude, so he will continue to grow both personally and professionally.
Lee Frank
Lee Frank is the Executive Chef atOtisin Exeter, New Hampshire. During his culinary journey, Lee has developed a strong skill set in American “farm-to-table” cuisine, and has even been a James Beard Award nominee. Lee has also competed inChoppedandBeat Bobby Flay, winning against Bobby in his episode titled,“A Little Bit Country”.However, despite his achievements,Lee has struggled with resentmentfrom feeling overlooked throughout his career.
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Therefore, his Sous Chef,Jonathan, nominated him in hopes that he will let go of that pastand move forward. If not, it might get in the way of Lee reaching his full potential and his goal of starting his very own restaurant group. With that in mind, Lee also hopes to prove to his community that he can overcome his self-doubt onYes, Chef!He’s even shared on his Instagram(@chefleefrank)his excitement as the premiere nears.
Michelle Francis
A Sous Chef
Perhaps the most experienced of all the contestants, Michelle Francis is the Sous Chef atJarin Los Angeles, a notably recognized restaurant that’s appeared in feature films. With over 27 years of experience in the culinary world, she has held many different positions in fine dining and specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. However,her perfectionist nature has affected how she collaborateswith others. Her daughter, Sophie, nominated her in hopes that the show will help Michelle regain respect for her peers and adjust her approach—ultimately helping her achieve her dream of becoming a traveling chef.
Peter Richardson
At 23 years old, Peter Richardson is a Private Chef based in Long Island, New York with a specialty in kosher cuisine. Often considered the youngest in the kitchen,Peter has faced disrespect from fellow chefs, which has fueled his short temper. His boss, Dov, nominated him not only for his talent but out of concern for his attitude. In fact, in the teaser trailer(@nbc), Peter is seen screaming inside an industrial fridge and later shouting"Is anybody listening? Hello!,“giving viewers a taste of the tension and potential outburst we might see from him this season.
Petrina Peart
Petrina Peart serves as the Executive Chef at the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion. Her talents have been recognized in publications likeCheyenne LivingandCowboy State Daily, especially after her apperance onBeat Bobby. Flay. With such high-level recognition and high standards,Petrina struggles with perfectionism. Her sous chef and brother, Hubert, nominated her in hopes that she will learn to embrace her mistakes, and overcome her self-doubt. ThroughYes, Chef!,Petrina aims to let go of her fear of making mistakes, and start trusting her own abilities.
Ronny Miranda
Based in Napa, California, Ronny Miranda is the Conference Lead Chef at theCulinary Institute of America (CIA)campus. According toIndie Chefs, he’s spent most of his life cooking in kitchens across the Oakland Bay Area—from ice cream shops to Michelin-level restaurants. Influenced by his Portuguese heritage, his dishes blend cultural tradition with modern California cuisine. However, Ronny struggles with confidence in his identity as a chef and often clashes with his coworkers. His boss, Courtney, hopesYes, Chef!will help him embrace his identity and grow.
Torrece “Chef T” Gregoire
Owner and Chef
Torrece Gregoire, also known as “Chef T,” is the Owner and Chef atUnion 41in Bristol, Virginia. Her career includes headlining festivals, and appearing in twoseasons of Hell’s Kitchen. However, during her time on the show,her unapologetic, unfiltered personality led to her elimination both times. If she continues with her current temper, she may struggle to grow in her career. Her nomination came from line cook, Alex, who hopes the series will help Chef T become a better communicator, especially as she dreams of winning a James Beard Award.
Zain Ismail
Executive Sous Chef
Zain Ismail is the Executive Sous Chef ofFork n' Filmlocated in Los Angeles, California, where she creates an immersive dining experience. Her dishes are heavily inspired by her roots on the islands of Mauritius. However, her fiery passion for cooking has sometimes led to unfiltered and blunt communication, which she recognizes needs improvement. Zain’s executive chef, Cole, nominated her forYes, Chef!in hopes of helping her refine her communication style, especially if she dreams of opening her very own restaurant one day.
Yes, Chef!premieres on Monday, April 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
Yes, Chef!
Cast
NBC’s upcoming cooking competition series,Yes, Chef!, brings together culinary icons Martha Stewart and José Andrés to mentor 12 chefs renowned for their skills but hindered by personal challenges such as egos and tempers.
