Local chef to compete on "Top Chef" in March

Photo by Natalie Engel

“Top Chef” will return this spring, and there are a couple of locals participating in the popular cooking competition.

The contestant lineup is out, and Valentine Howell Jr. will be competing along with 14 other candidates for a chance at the $250,000 grand prize. The “Top Chef” competitor is best known from whipping up Greek eats at Krasi. He is also the owner of taco pop-up Black Cat + was a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast in 2023.

There’s a familiar face returning to the show too: Kristen Kish . When longtime host Padma Lakshmi left the show last year, Kish stepped up to fill the role. She was formerly chef de cuisine at Menton in Fort Point and won “Top Chef” in 2012.

The newest season premieres on Wednesday, March 20 at 9 p.m. on Bravo, with next-day streaming on Peacock.