Kristen Kish

Early Life and Education

Kristen Kish at Floriditas

Kristen Kish was born on December 1, 1983, in Seoul, South Korea. She was adopted at the age of four months by a family in Kentwood, Michigan. Kish developed an interest in cooking at a young age, inspired by her mother’s home-cooked meals. She pursued her passion for culinary arts by attending the Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago, where she honed her skills and graduated with a degree in culinary arts.

Career

Kish began her professional career working in various restaurants, gaining experience and refining her culinary techniques. She moved to Boston, where she worked under renowned chef Barbara Lynch at Stir, a demonstration kitchen. Kish's talent and dedication quickly earned her the position of chef de cuisine at Menton, one of Lynch's fine dining establishments.

Top Chef

Kristen Kish gained national recognition as a contestant on the tenth season of the reality television show Top Chef. Her innovative dishes and calm demeanor impressed the judges and viewers alike. Kish ultimately won the competition, becoming the second female chef to win the title.

Post-Top Chef Career

After her success on Top Chef, Kish continued to build her culinary career. She co-hosted the television show "36 Hours" on the Travel Channel, where she explored various cities and their culinary offerings. In 2017, Kish opened her first restaurant, Arlo Grey, in Austin, Texas, where she serves a menu that reflects her diverse culinary influences.

Personal Life

Kish is openly gay and has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights within the culinary industry. She has spoken about the importance of representation and diversity in the kitchen.

Related Pages

• Top Chef
• Le Cordon Bleu
• Barbara Lynch