Meet the Chef

Chef Amanda Freitag

Chef Amanda Freitag is a vibrant and talented chef and cookbook author who has graced our TV screens and kitchens with her culinary expertise and infectious energy. She is best known for her frequent appearances on the Food Network and her role as a judge on various cooking competitions. Based in New York City, she brings a touch of the Big Apple’s magic to everything she does.

Amanda’s impressive restaurant career includes co-founding the Upper West Side hotspot Cesca Enoteca & Trattoria in 2003 and serving as executive chef at The Harrison and Empire Diner in Manhattan. In 2020, she expanded her culinary footprint to Dallas, Texas, with the opening of Rise & Thyme, a delightful bistro in collaboration with Kevin Lillis’ Hospitality Alliance.

Since 2009, Amanda has been a beloved judge on the culinary reality show Chopped, where her sharp palate and warm personality have won her many fans. She’s also taken on culinary titans like Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America and competed in The Next Iron Chef. Alongside Ty Pennington, she co-hosted American Diner Revival, breathing new life into classic diners across America.

Amanda’s passion for making gourmet cooking accessible shines through in her cookbook, “The Chef Next Door: A Pro Chef’s Recipes for Fun, Fearless Home Cooking.” With her infectious enthusiasm and expert guidance, Amanda Freitag continues to inspire and delight food lovers everywhere.

We are so happy to welcome her as our new Chef for Bon Appétit 2025! Come hungry!