Richard Blais

Richard Blais is a chef, restaurateur and television personality best known for winning Top Chef: All-Stars and appearing as a judge on Top Chef and Next Level Chef. Blais was raised in Long Island, New York, and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. He later trained at prestigious restaurants including The French Laundry and El Bulli.

Blais began his career working under acclaimed chefs such as Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud. He gained national attention as a contestant on Top Chef season 4 in 2008, finishing as the runner-up. He returned to win Top Chef: All-Stars in 2011. His creative take on modern American cuisine and use of molecular gastronomy became his signature.

In addition to frequent appearances as a judge and guest chef on Top Chef, Blais has hosted and appeared on several food series including Next Level Chef, MasterChef, Iron Chef America and Guy’s Grocery Games. He opened several restaurants including Juniper & Ivy and The Crack Shack in Southern California. He is also the author of cookbooks Try This at Home (2013) and So Good (2017).

Richard married Jazmin Blais in 2006. The couple share two daughters: Riley (born in 2008) and Embry (born in 2011).