Gay chefs

Now that the show has just recently begun its 19th season, taking place in Houston, we're taking a look back at 32 of the LGBTQ+ chefs that have appeared on the show. Scroll through to meet.

From the person who made history as the Food Network’s first openly queer show host, to out and proud chefs using their time on the juggernaut reality competition series Top Chef as a springboard to international fame, here are seven iconic queer food personalities who have been born out of culinary television.

We spoke with five members of the LGBTQIA+ community in New York to discover how their personal challenges yielded professional triumphs: Chef Mary Attea of One MICHELIN Star The Musket Room and Raf’s; Chef Telly Justice and sommelier Camille Lindsley of HAGS; Chef Jeremy Salamon of MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Agi’s Counter; and sommelier Brendan.

From Top Chef Queen Melissa King to up-and-coming chefs like Ashleigh Shanti, this list of queer chefs you need to know about will introduce you to great cuisiniers, delicious food, and maybe even your new culinary crush.