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CHOPPED ALL-STARS
Season One Chef Bios
Episode 1
Brad Sorenson (Austin, Texas), a season six finalist on The Next Food Network Star, graduated from the Culinary
Institute of America. Brad opened Black Creek Bistro as executive chef at the age of 22 and now works at ASTI
Trattoria in Austin.
Debbie Lee (West Hollywood, Calif.), a season five finalist on The Next Food Network Star and a former Hollywood
caterer, shares her branding and menu-planning expertise as a restaurant consultant. Debbie is in the process of
opening up her own restaurant, a Korean-inspired pub, and writing her first cookbook.
Lisa Garza (Dallas, Texas), a season four finalist on The Next Food Network Star, co-owns Suze Restaurant &
Catering in Dallas. In October 2010, she opened Lisa Garza Taste Studio, which provides event planning services
and food productions for off-site catering.
Michael Proietti (City Island, N.Y.), a season five finalist on The Next Food Network Star, serves as the Food &
Beverage Director at the Radisson Hotel in New Rochelle, N.Y. A New York Restaurant School graduate and native
New Yorker, Michael teaches in-home cooking classes and group demos.
Episode 2
Anne Burrell (New York, N.Y.) hosts Food Network’s Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America.
After training at the Culinary Institute of America and Italy’s Culinary Institute for Foreigners, Anne worked at several
notable New York restaurants, taught culinary school, and battled on Iron Chef America alongside Mario Batali.
Claire Robinson (New York, N.Y.) hosts Food Network’s 5 Ingredient Fix and Food Network Challenge. After
graduating from The French Culinary Institute, Claire worked as a private chef and on culinary production teams for
Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello and PBS’ Everyday Baking for Everyday Food.
Duff Goldman (Baltimore, Md.) stars in Food Network’s Ace of Cakes. After studying at the Culinary Institute of
America in Napa Valley, Calif., he worked as the executive pastry chef at Vail Cascade Hotel and Resort in Vail,
Colo., executive chef at the Borgata of Atlantic City, and baked bread for Todd English’s Olives in Washington, D.C.
Robert Irvine (Hilton Head, S.C.) hosts Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, Dinner: Impossible and Worst
Cooks in America. Robert began cooking at age 15 on the Royal Yacht Britannia for the Royal Navy in England. His
accomplishments include cooking at the White House and planning an Academy Awards after-party menu.
Episode 3
Anita Lo (New York, N.Y.) serves as chef and owner of Annisa and consulting chef for Rickshaw Dumpling Bar. She
received her degree at Ecole Ritz-Escoffier. In New York, Anita worked her way through all the stations at David
Waltuck’s Chanterelle and became known as a contemporary American chef during her time at Mirezi.
Aarón Sánchez (New York, N.Y.) owns and serves as executive chef of Centrico. Aarón appears on Food Network’s
Chefs vs. City, Chopped, and appeared as a season one contestant on The Next Iron Chef. Among the country’s
leading contemporary Latin Chefs, Aarón makes international appearances conducting Latin cooking demos.
Beau MacMillan (Phoenix, Ariz.) serves as the executive chef of Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. A season one
Worst Cooks in America team leader, Beau graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. Beau
appeared on Iron Chef America and conducts cooking classes at Sanctuary.
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Chopped All-Stars – Season 1 Chef Bios; Page 2
Jacques Torres (New York, N.Y.) serves as dean of pastry studies at the French Culinary Institute. In 1986,
Jacques became the youngest chef to earn the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France medal. Jacques opened
Jacques Torres Chocolates, which now has six locations throughout New York City.
Episode 4
Nate Appleman (New York, N.Y.), a season two contestant on The Next Iron Chef, graduated from the Culinary
Institute of America. Nate served as a butcher’s apprentice in Italy and became one of few American pizzaiolos
certified by the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. Nate worked at A16 in San Francisco, SPQR, and Pulino’s Bar
and Pizzeria on the Bowery.
Maneet Chauhan (New York, N.Y.), a season three contestant on The Next Iron Chef, serves as executive chef at
Vermilion in Chicago and New York. Maneet received her culinary education at India’s Welcome Group Graduate
School of Hotel Administration and the Culinary Institute of America.
Amanda Freitag (New York, N.Y.), Chopped judge and season two contestant on The Next Iron Chef, graduated
from the Culinary Institute of America. Amanda battled Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America and appears on the new
Cooking Channel series Unique Eats.
Geoffrey Zakarian (New York, N.Y.), 24 Hour Restaurant Battle and Chopped judge, worked all over the world
including Arpège in Paris and the Dorchester in London. In New York City, Geoffrey opened Country in the Carlton
Hotel, the National Bar and Dining Rooms in The Benjamin, and serves as executive chef at The Lambs Club.
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