Premiering April 28, 2025, on NBC, Yes, Chef! serves up high-stakes drama and heartfelt redemption as 12 chefs battle for culinary glory under the mentorship of icons Martha Stewart and José Andrés. Beyond the sizzling pans and plated masterpieces, the show digs into the competitors’ personal struggles, from overcoming adversity to redefining success. Meet the hosts and chefs bringing heat to the kitchen—and depth to the drama.
Hosts
1- Martha Stewart as Self – Host
Born August 3, 1941, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Martha Stewart built a lifestyle empire from her passion for cooking, gardening, and entertaining. Her 1982 cookbook Entertaining launched her into stardom, followed by Martha Stewart Living magazine and Emmy-winning TV shows. A trailblazer turned cultural institution, Stewart’s exacting standards and business savvy make her the ultimate mentor for chefs aiming to balance creativity with perfection.
Stewart’s recent ventures—CBD gummies, a TikTok resurgence, and her Las Vegas residency “Martha’s Kitchen”—prove she’s still rewriting the rules at 83. On Yes, Chef!, she blends tough love with wisdom earned from her own comeback after a 2004 prison stint. “Cooking,” she says, “is about transforming mistakes into miracles”—a mantra that fuels the competition.
2- José Andrés as Self – Host
José Andrés (born July 13, 1969, in Mieres, Spain) is a culinary titan and humanitarian. After training under Ferran Adrià, he popularized Spanish tapas in the U.S. with restaurants like Jaleo and minibar. His nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, has served over 350 million meals in disaster zones, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Andrés’ warmth and relentless optimism counterbalance Stewart’s precision, creating a dynamic duo of tough-but-fair guidance.
Andrés’ role on Yes, Chef! mirrors his life’s work: nurturing talent while addressing systemic issues like food insecurity. Fresh off his Emmy-winning documentary We Feed People (2022), he pushes contestants to see cooking as both art and activism. “A great chef feeds the soul,” he says—a philosophy that defines the season’s most emotional moments.
Competing Chefs
– Emily Brubaker — Carlsbad, CA
Emily Brubaker, 34, is a farm-to-table pioneer who left a corporate law career to open Seeds & Salt, a zero-waste San Diego eatery. Her hyper-local dishes—think foraged kelp tacos and rooftop honey-glazed quail—earned her a James Beard semifinalist nod in 2023. But her journey hasn’t been smooth: Brubaker’s sobriety battle and divorce from her business partner nearly shuttered her restaurant.
On Yes, Chef!, Brubaker aims to prove that sustainability and fine dining can coexist. Off-duty, she mentors women in recovery and advocates for climate-conscious kitchens. Her signature grit and sunlit flavors make her a frontrunner—if she can keep her nerves in check.
– Julia Chebotar — New York City, NY
Julia Chebotar, 29, is a Ukrainian-born pastry prodigy who fled Kyiv in 2022 amid the Russian invasion. Now the executive sous chef at NYC’s Michelin-starred Le Coucou, she’s famed for reimagining Eastern European desserts (think beetroot macarons and vodka-spiked babka). Her viral TikTok series, Sweetness in War, documents her journey from refugee to rising star.
Chebotar’s trauma fuels her creativity but haunts her confidence. On the show, she battles imposter syndrome while honoring her heritage. “Pastry isn’t pretty—it’s survival,” she says. Her delicate yet daring style could clinch the title—or crumble under pressure.
– Michelle Francis — Santa Monica, CA
Michelle Francis, 42, is a vegan chef and single mom who turned her food truck, Plant Daddy, into a Los Angeles sensation. Her jackfruit “carnitas” and cashew queso even won over Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. But Francis’ path was rocky: she lost her home during the 2008 recession and rebuilt her career while raising twins.
Francis’ mission? Prove plant-based food can be bold, not bland. Her fiery personality and knack for comfort food make her a fan favorite, but clashes with meat-centric challenges test her adaptability. Either way, she’s already won: her twins cheer her on from the sidelines.
– Lee Frank — South Berwick, ME
Lee Frank, 50, is a lobster fisherman turned seafood savant. His coastal Maine restaurant, The Hungry Tide, is a pilgrimage site for its miso-lobster rolls and seaweed-infused clam chowder. A self-taught cook, Frank’s rustic elegance earned him a Food & Wine Best New Chef nod in 2024—but his refusal to leave Maine’s shores has limited his fame.
Frank’s quiet intensity masks a fear of failure: his father’s fishing business sank, leaving debt he’s still repaying. On Yes, Chef!, he steps far from his comfort zone (and coastline). Can this saltwater poet conquer urban ingredients? His broths say yes; his self-doubt whispers maybe.
– Torrece “Chef T” Gregoire — Bristol, VA
Torrece Gregoire, 38, is a Nashville hot chicken queen turned Southern fusion maestro. Her Bristol gastropub, Smoke & Soul, merges Appalachian ingredients with global flair (goat cheese grits with harissa, anyone?). A Top Chef: Charleston alum, Chef T’s blunt critiques and neon-bright locs made her a standout—but her temper led to an early exit.
Gregoire returns to TV with a Zen mindset after therapy and a lupus diagnosis. “I’m here to cook, not fight,” she insists. Her bold flavors and newfound calm could redeem her—or spark new fires.
– Zain Ismail — Los Angeles, CA
Zain Ismail, 27, is a Pakistani-American wunderkind blending street food with haute cuisine. As chef de cuisine at L.A.’s Spice Route, he’s known for deconstructed chaat and saffron-laced lamb sliders. A social media darling, Ismail’s Instagram reels mix knife skills with stand-up comedy.
But his rapid rise hides a secret: Ismail’s family disowned him for pursuing cooking over medicine. On the show, he confronts their rejection while cooking his mother’s recipes. His technical brilliance is undeniable, but emotional stakes could burn him.
– Jake Lawler — Madison, WI
Jake Lawler, 31, is a Midwest meat-and-potatoes guy with a molecular gastronomy twist. His Madison bistro, The Alchemist, wows with nitro-frozen cheese curds and beer foam brats. A former college linebacker, Lawler swapped tackles for truffles after a career-ending injury.
Lawler’s dad jokes and bear hugs mask grief: his brother’s overdose in 2020 nearly broke him. On Yes, Chef!, he channels pain into playful plates. Can this gentle giant balance innovation with comfort? His deep-fried liquid nitrogen says “hell yes.”
– Ronny Miranda — Oakland, CA
Ronny Miranda, 45, is a Peruvian-Japanese fusion trailblazer and ex-con turned community hero. After serving time for gang-related charges, he launched Callejero, a food truck mentoring at-risk youth. His lomo saltado dumplings and anticucho tacos earned him a 2024 Beard Award nomination.
Miranda’s tattoos tell his story; his dishes scream second chances. On the show, he battles stereotypes and his own fear of relapse. “I cook for the kids who think they’re stuck,” he says. Win or lose, his legacy is already written.
– Christopher Morales — Melbourne, FL
Christopher Morales, 25, is a Cuban-American prodigy and youngest chef to helm Orlando’s Sabor del Mar. His modernist take on Cuban classics—vacuum-sealed ropa vieja, liquid plantain spheres—has purists scowling and critics raving. Morales’ cocky streak hides insecurity: his immigrant parents mortgaged their home to fund his culinary school.
On Yes, Chef!, Morales aims to validate their sacrifice. His avant-garde techniques dazzle, but can he connect with judges emotionally? Either way, he’s a lightning rod—and maybe a legend in the making.
– Petrina Peart — Cheyenne, WY
Petrina Peart, 57, is a Jamaican-born grandma and late-blooming sensation. Her Cheyenne supper club, Island Heat, serves jerk elk and rum cake to Wyoming cowboys. A former nurse, Peart started cooking professionally at 50 after her husband’s death. Her story—a CBS Sunday Morning feature—inspired thousands to chase dreams at any age.
Peart’s warmth and spice-heavy plates charm the judges, but her resistance to formal techniques could cost her. Still, as she says, “Flavor don’t need a diploma.”
– Peter Richardson — Islip Terrace, NY
Peter Richardson, 41, is a firehouse chef with a cult following. His Long Island comfort food—buffalo chicken lasagna, bourbon bacon baked beans—fuels local heroes and foodies alike. A 9/11 first responder’s son, Richardson’s gruff exterior softens when cooking for his “fire fam.”
Richardson’s lack of fine-dining experience shows in shaky sauces, but his heart and hustle win allies. “I’m here to prove blue-collar food belongs on white tablecloths,” he says.
– Katsuji Tanabe — Raleigh, NC
Katsuji Tanabe, 45, is a Top Chef alum and Mexican-Japanese fusion rebel. After a public feud with Gordon Ramsay and a restaurant bankruptcy, he rebuilt his career in Raleigh with Bar Tanaka, a mezcal-and-sushi hotspot. Tanabe’s brash persona hides a doting dad: he competes to fund his daughter’s medical school.
Tanabe’s ceviche tacos and tempura tamales thrill, but his mouth might be his worst enemy. Can this redeemed villain finally win? “Watch me,” he smirks.
