Meet the Competing Chefs From '24 in 24: Last Chef Standing' Season 2

While 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing doesn’t technically include the term “all-stars” in its title, it’s all but inferred with a roster like this one. From James Beard Award winners and esteemed Food Network hosts to innovative restaurateurs and up-and-coming culinary stars, this season is brimming with incomparable talent and competitive spirit guaranteed to leave you glued to your seat. Will veteran chefs with decades overseeing bustling kitchens give them an edge over the competition or will the newer generation bring fresh flavor and determination to the kitchen? Read on to learn more about the pros entering the 24 in 24 kitchen and make your winner prediction before tuning in for the season premiere hosted by Esther Choi and Michael Symon on April 27 at 8|7c.

First up? Chef Elia Aboumrad. The esteemed chef is wielding her Lebanese roots, Mexican upbringing and classical French techniques to serve dishes as layered and dynamic as her background. Elia attended the renowned L’Ecole Lenôtre for culinary training and earned a Grand Diplôme before spending years working in high-pressure Parisian kitchens. Her shining talent and commitment to excellence led her to be named the first female sous chef for the late "chef of the century" Joël Robuchon. Now, Elia is the chef and owner of Boom Bang Fine Foods & Cocktails, an American brasserie in Henderson, Nevada, and she’s ready to outcook her competition until the clock runs out.

Brittanny Anderson is based in Richmond, Virginia, and when she isn’t hunting, fishing or boating, she spends her time pouring into her four successful restaurants around the area: Metzger Bar & Butchery, Brenner Pass, Black Lodge and Pink Room. Dynamic and determined, Brittanny feels confident her German and Alpine flavors and unwavering focus will translate into taking home the cash at the end of this high-pressure competition.

Sì, capo! Firenze-born Gabriele Bertaccini is taking a break from running his four Los Angeles-based catering companies, judging culinary competitions and hosting Ciao House to bring his signature flavors to the 24 in 24 kitchen. The Italian cuisine expert is eager to step outside his role as a judge and get a taste of the other side as he races against the best — and the clock.

Between earning first place on Beachside Brawl to being named Chopped champion, one thing’s for sure: Chef Sam Cruz has what it takes to win a cooking competition. The high-achieving Miami chef is back and ready to add to her trophy case using her signature determination and South Florida flavors.

Chef Leslie Daniel is entering the cutthroat 24 in 24 kitchen fresh off his winning appearance on Guy’s Grocery Games. Leslie is the executive chef at Kuro, a contemporary Japanese kitchen in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The fearless chef feels confident in his techniques and is eager to compete against the culinary world’s crème de la crème to solidify his status as one of the industry’s best talents.

Mad scientist or culinary genius? Goggles-clad Richie Farina happens to be both. Richie is the executive chef at Adorn Bar & Restaurant in the iconic Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, offering elevated, ingredient-driven dishes. He’s throwing on his apron, securing his eyewear and tapping into his alter ego, Richie Dish, to test his inventive techniques against his peers in the 24 in 24 kitchen.

Ilan Hall is no stranger to cooking competitions. The seasoned chef graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked in celebrated kitchens in New York City before winning the second season of Top Chef. Now, Ilan is the chef and co-owner of Ramen Hood, a vegan ramen restaurant in Los Angeles. Despite his talent and title, Ilan has not gotten past the second round of eliminations on Food Network competitions like Guy’s Grocery Games: All-Star Invitational. He’s back in the kitchen and more determined than ever to prove himself a champion by getting through Round 3 and beyond on 24 in 24.

When we said this competition tests the best of the best, we meant it. Allow us to introduce a chef who needs no introduction: Stephanie Izard. Stephanie is an acclaimed culinary star named Best Chef: Great Lakes by the James Beard Foundation and Best New Chef by Food & Wine. Stephanie is the executive chef and owner of several Chicago- and Los Angeles-based restaurants, including Girl & the Goat, Little Goat, Duck Duck Goat, Cabra and her latest, Valley Goat, recently opened in Silicon Valley. Beyond her restaurant career, Stephanie earned the sought-after title of Iron Chef, won the fourth season of Top Chef and has competed in and hosted many Food Network shows. Now, she’s sharpening her knives and heading into the 24 in 24 kitchen to prove she’s still got the chops to win first place.

Kevin Lee is a regular Food Network competitor — and winner — who’s showcased his unparalleled talent, deftness and adaptability on shows including Guy's Grocery Games, Alex vs. America and Tournament of Champions. When he’s not throwing on his apron to face off against his culinary peers on FN, he keeps himself busy as the chef and owner of the modern Korean steakhouse Birdies by Chef Kevin Lee in Oklahoma City. Kevin feels confident that his ability to think on his feet and adjust quickly to new situations makes him a natural fit (and future winner) in this fast-paced competition.

Memphis, Tennessee-based Arturo Leighton is a skilled chef and Food Network competitor you may recognize from his time on Guy’s Grocery Games. His restaurant, Good Fortune Co., was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and celebrated for its Asian fusion flavors and handmade ramen, dumplings and rice dishes. Arturo is heading back into the competition kitchen to bring his unique flavors to the table and compete against industry titans.

Cooking on little to no sleep is nothing new for Boston-bred Chef Laurence Louie. Along with being named Season 58 Chopped Champion and a James Beard Semifinalist in 2024, Laurence has recently earned a new title he believes will give him a leg up on his competition: dad. The new father grinds daily and has grown accustomed to churning out mouthwatering dishes on (very) limited shut-eye as the owner and chef of Rubato, a modern Hong Kong cafe, located in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Alabama native Star Maye holds many impressive titles: chef, mother, author, Chopped champion and Navy veteran. Star is known for creating layered, one-of-a-kind dishes that blend the best of Southern and Creole flavors to yield a soulful dining experience. She’s stepping into the 24 in 24 kitchen confident that her singular Southern recipes and Navy training will see her through the grueling 24 hours of competition without a hitch.

Indianapolis-based Kelsey Murphy is a force in the kitchen, with the title of MasterChef winner under her belt (or, in this case, apron) to prove it. Along with being a self-taught private chef, a podcast co-host and the owner of Inspo by Chef Kelsey Murphy in Lucas Oil Stadium, Kelsey is a mother of three and feels at home in the heart of chaos. She believes her ability to juggle many hats daily will give her the competitive edge necessary to remain focused and deliver winning bites that will see her through the 24-hour competition.

If there is one chef in this competition capable of shaking their competitor’s confidence, it’s Marc Murphy. Marc is a Food Network legend you may recognize as a regular judge on Chopped or from one of his countless appearances on shows like Chopped Junior, Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America and more. His impressive career began by learning and working alongside premier chefs in France, Italy and New York City. Marc served as the executive chef of a few NYC restaurants before opening his own establishment, Landmarc, in 2004. Although Landmarc closed its doors after 12 years, Marc revived his beloved Tribeca bistro with Marc179, a pop-up prix fixe dining concept open three days a month. Today, the celebrated chef and restaurateur is eager to dip his toes into the other side of the food competition world and showcase the expertise he's amassed throughout his extensive career.

New Orleans native Nini Nguyen is prepared to sweep the competition in the 24 in 24 kitchen using her signature mix of Vietnamese and Creole flavors. You may recognize her as the first winner of Last Bite Hotel or from competing in Tournament of Champions. Nini added author to her résumé with the release of Đặc Biệt: An Extra-Special Vietnamese Cookbook and was recently named one of the 10 rising stars to watch on the Food Network Hot List 2025. She may be entering the kitchen all smiles, but Nini is a fierce competitor ready to prove herself against her most formidable peers.

Chopped champion Kathleen O’Brien-Price is back in our kitchen and ready to put her private chef skills to work against her fiercest competitors yet. She’s a devoted wife, mother and founder of Harlem Homemade, a weekly food delivery service, and KinHaven House, an innovative family social club set to open its doors in 2026. Kathleen is entering this grueling cook-off to win for herself and plans to put her winnings toward achieving her personal goals as a chef and entrepreneur.

It’s always nice to see a familiar face — especially when it belongs to Kentucky's finest: Damaris Phillips! Damaris is a chef, creator and Food Network regular who captivated judges and audiences alike when she won Food Network Star Season 9 with her signature Southern flavors. Since then, she's hosted the show Southern at Heart for five seasons and appeared on various Food Network favorites, including Guy’s Grocery Games, Cooks vs. Cons, Bakers vs. Fakers, Celebrity Food Fight and more. Damaris co-owns Bluegrass Supper Club Catering + Picnics, offering bespoke picnic baskets and chef-prepared meals to lucky Louisville locals. She's entering the high-pressure competition to remind everyone it took more than her sunny disposition to get her to where she is today. She is a formally trained chef with the technical skills and flavor instincts that shine in any kitchen.

Connecticut-born Michele Ragussis is known for her New England cuisine and appreciation of farm-to-table fare. You may remember her as a worthy finalist on Food Network Star Season 8, her many appearances on Guy’s Grocery Games or when she bested Bobby on Beat Bobby Flay. Michele is the executive chef at Gedney Kitchen in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, where she serves a small but meticulously executed menu built around locally focused ingredients. Now in her 50s, Michele is reentering the competition kitchen to challenge herself and prove to everyone that she still has the chops to win it all.

Jonathon Sawyer is an acclaimed chef and cookbook author with years of experience under his belt. The Chicago-born culinary expert has earned recognition as the James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes and was named Food & Wine’s Best New Chef in 2010. Now, Jonathon is the chef partner at Kindling Downtown Cookout and Cocktails inside the Willis Tower in Chicago, where he serves internationally inspired wood-fired plates and cocktails. Jonathon has competed on several shows, including Tournament of Champions, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Bobby Flay’s Triple Threat and now he’s diving headfirst into the high-pressure 24 in 24 kitchen with a mission to prove that he can be the best version of himself.

From being named Chopped champion, winning Supermarket Stakeout and earning first place in Guy’s Grocery Games, it’s not too difficult to imagine chef Zuri Resendiz adding the blue ribbon for this competition to his accolades at the end of the 24 hours. Zuri owns Luchador Food Truck by Chef Z and brick-and-mortar restaurant Luchador Taco & More, serving traditional Mexican fare to lucky locals in Denver. He’s used to working long hours on his food truck with limited space and resources and is bringing his resilient, ready-for-anything attitude to the kitchen to win the money and take his wife of 17 years on a much-deserved vacation.

Chef Ashleigh Shanti doesn’t intend on leaving the 24 in 24 kitchen without being named our winner. The James Beard Finalist, cookbook author and chef owns Good Hot Fish in Asheville, North Carolina. The seafood eatery offers elevated Southern comforts (read: flaky fish sticks) and an evolving seasonal menu to ensure exceptional flavors every time. Good Hot Fish was named one of the Best Restaurants in America by The New York Times, but shortly after this honor, Hurricane Helene forced Ashleigh to close its doors. Now, she’s throwing her hat in the ring to win $75,000 in hopes of reopening her establishment and helping her Asheville community.

Lawrence “LT” Smith III has spent most of his life playing football, and now he’s channeling his competitive spirit and drive for excellence into forging a name for himself in the culinary world. LT is the owner and chef of Chilte in Phoenix, where he serves experimental Mexican cuisine. He was a James Beard Semifinalist for Best Emerging Chef and part of Food & Wine’s Best New Chef Class of 2024. LT’s tackling 24 in 24 like a game day and feels confident his decisiveness, inventive flavors and ability to think on his feet will lead to another W in the end.

Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s history competing on cooking shows can be summed up with one common idiom: Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Bryan came in second place on three seasons of Top Chef, and the talented food-smith and restaurateur is determined to finally earn a well-deserved win on 24 in 24. Bryan has appeared on Tournament of Champions and even hosted his own Food Network competition show, Battle of the Brothers. Bryan is a James Beard Award Semifinalist known for his premier mid-Atlantic cuisine, and together with his brother, celebrity chef Michael Voltaggio, he oversees two establishments: Voltaggio Brothers Steak House and Wye Oak Tavern.

As the youngest champion of MasterChef, Dara Yu has already proven she has creativity, grit and raw talent that far exceeds her 23 years. The chef, educator and culinary consultant recently battled in Season 6 of Tournament of Champions, and now she’s back in the competition kitchen. She’s eager to showcase her skills and is hopeful her youthful stamina will give her an edge against her peers to come out on top after 24 hours.