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The legends of gastronomy come together in a new culinary show in which 12 talented chefs will face different challenges as they overcome a series of personal obstacles. Martha Stewart and José Andrés will guide them as they compete for glory in the kitchen and their own personal growth.
The series combining drama with culinary artistry, airing on NBC, will ‘reshape tempers, egos and attitudes in the heat of the kitchen’ and ‘mix the thrill of a cooking competition with the raw emotion of personal transformation as it delves into the powerful personalities drawn to the chaotic culinary lifestyle,’ according to the official press release.
On 28 April, the first episode of Yes, Chef! will premiere, and finally, we have information about the 12 contestants who will compete for the final prize of $250,000. Here’s everything we know about some of them, thanks to bios provided by NBC.
The cast of Yes, Chef!
Christopher Morales – As the current executive chef at Gregory’s Steakhouse in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Christopher Morales specializes in cooking fresh fish, steaks and homemade pasta. Although he does not have a culinary degree, Morales has experience working in high-end kitchens across the country. Morales’ former kitchen assistant nominated him for the show because of his militant style of running a kitchen and his harsh criticism of his staff.
Emily Brubaker – Classically trained in French, Emily Brubaker is the executive chef at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. In addition to French cuisine, she also dabbles in Italian and American cuisine, and is passionate about sourcing quality ingredients to create exceptional dishes. Brubaker’s tendency to be impatient and stubborn with her staff, coupled with her self-confidence issues, have created a glass ceiling in her career.
Jake Lawler – Jake is responsible for the menus of several restaurants as executive chef at Vintage Brewing Co. in Madison, Wisconsin. He specialises in French and Italian cuisine and has experience in Michelin-starred kitchens, and his head chef has witnessed Lawler’s defensive attitude and temper negatively affect those around him, earning him a role on Yes, Chef!
Julia Chebotar – This isn’t Julia Chebotar’s first foray into cooking competition, as she won an episode of Chopped in 2019 and the second season of Kitchen Crash in 2021. She currently works as a private chef in New York, with a focus on dishes that feature organic and nutritious ingredients. Chebotar was nominated because of her competitive nature and her blunt way of communicating, which make it difficult for her to work with others.
Katsuji Tanabe is an experienced restaurateur with establishments across the United States that showcase a diversity of cuisines, often highlighting his dual Mexican and Japanese heritage. Known for his competitive spirit, he has become a familiar face on culinary showdowns, appearing on shows such as Top Chef, Top Chef Mexico and Chopped. In the kitchen, Tanabe has a reputation for getting on other people’s nerves, prompting his partner to nominate him for his latest cooking competition.
Lee Frank – At Otis in Exeter, New Hampshire, the executive chef is James Beard Award nominee Lee Frank. He has participated in Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, where he was victorious. Lee resents having been overlooked in the past, and his sous chef believes this resentment may be hindering his growth in the industry.
