Timothy Dean, 39, is taking on 16 fellow chefs in a kitchen throwdown. The executive chef and owner of Prime Steakhouse in Baltimore, he has years of experience working alongside some of the world’s best. These include the late master chef Jean-Louis Palladin (at his restaurants Jean-Louis and Palladin), Alain Ducasse, and the late Patrick Clark, the first black executive chef at Tavern on the Green. Get to Know TimothyHis lobster mac and cheese with black truffles
Captions by Frank McCoy
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Tiffany Derry has been the executive chef at the Go Fish Ocean Club in Dallas since 2008. A year later, the restaurant, which specializes in the fruit of the sea, won a spot on OpenTable.com Diners’ Choice list. Trained at the Art Institute of Houston, Derry later taught there. Her favorite ingredients are Creole mustard and seasoning, champagne vinegar, Dijon, and kosher salt. Follow her on Facebook as Chef Tiffany Derry.Get to know TiffanyChef Tiffany Derry dishes up pan-seared scallops
Kevin Sbraga wants to win big like another notable black Italian-American, former NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris. Sbraga, 31, executive chef at Rat’s Restaurant at Grounds for Sculpture, in Hamilton, N.J., plans to win his own Super Bowl title: Top Chef. In 2010, Rat’s, named after a character in the children’s novel The Wind in the Willows, won an OpenTable.com Diners’ Choice award. Two years ago, Sbraga won Best Meat Presentation at Bocuse d’Or USA.Get to know Kevin
Tamesha Warren earned her culinary education at the Art Institute of New York City. As sous chef at the Oval Room in Washington, D.C., the 24-year-old directs kitchen traffic in a restaurant that Forbes magazine says is among the “World’s Top Power Dining Spots.” Her specialty is combining French and Asian flavors with American cooking. Find her on Facebook as Chef Tamesha WarrenGet to know Tamesha
Kenny Gilbert says he made his first omelet at age 3. Thirty-three years later, as executive chef of the PGA National Resort and Spa, he's serving up gourmet dishes to some serious players. Gilbert, who trained at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, dreams of creating his own restaurant group to spread his food gospel. Get to know Kenny
Top Chef: Las Vegas, Season 6Ron Duprat has a big heart. At his day job, he is the executive chef at Latitudes, at the Marriott Hollywood Beach. Off the clock, Duprat is involved in humanitarian efforts to alleviate hunger and raise funds for earthquake relief in Haiti. He also works with the Pan American Development Fund and Food for the Poor. Follow him on Facebook as Chef Ron Duprat.Ron Duprat’s exit interviewChef Duprat gives back
Top Chef: New York, Season 5Carla Hall is special and almost won the prize toque. Her laugh, mad dessert skills and infectious enthusiasm mesmerized us. The French-trained, Southern-influenced chef continues as owner of Alchemy Caterers, in Washington, D.C. And you gotta root for someone who loves butter, chocolate and pies. Follow her on Facebook as Chef Carla Hall.Carla being carla – a tributeCarla shares the love Carla cooks up holiday treats Carla’s gracious, insightful exit interview
Top Chef: Chicago, Season 4Nimma Osman was gone almost before we knew she was there. But no worries. The graduate of the renowned Culinary Institute of America is now sous chef at Atlanta’s Sun in My Belly. It's a triple threat of a business, with a catering company, a neighborhood café and a garden café.
Top Chef: Miami, Season 3Tre Wilcox was one of the most popular contestants, and his elimination shocked many. He is now executive chef at Loft 610 Urban Restaurant and Lounge in Plano, Texas. Follow his fan page on Facebook.Tre Wilcox prepares a tuna dishTre Chats with Chef Tom ColicchioTre Wilcox prepares southwestern chicken
Top Chef: Los Angeles Season 2Cliff Crooks is now a line cook at Danny Meyer’s Gramercy Tavern, in New York City. Get to know Cliff Crooks
Top Chef: Los Angeles, Season 2Mia Gaines-Alt is working as a chef at Paddlers’ Inn, in the city of Kaunakakai, on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. Find her on Facebook as Mia Gaines-Alt. Get to know MiaHer audition for Everyday Simple, Part 1Everyday Simple, Part 2Everyday Simple, Part 3
Top Chef: San Francisco, Season 1Brian Hill took his cooking to the road. The former celebrity chef for Mary J. Blige created the Comfort Truck. Hill now travels throughout the Los Angeles area serving up his unique blend of American, European and Caribbean cuisine. He is also a featured chef on the Food Network’s Private Chefs of Beverly Hills. Follow the Comfort Truck on Twitter Find Hill on Facebook as Chef BrianGet to know Brian HillHis paradise salad and peach BBQ salmon (Part 1) His beer-marinated chargrilled chicken
Top Chef: San Francisco, Season 1Lisa Parks is a cooking instructor and private chef. Maybe. But it’s private, and we can’t find her.Get to know Lisa SparksPassion in the kitchen with Lisa Parks
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