“Top Chef” returns Monday, March 9, on Bravo with a new season and a familiar face leading the competition.
Kristen Kish, who won the series in 2013, now serves as host for season 23. The new installment features chefs from across the Midwest, including Chicago and Detroit, competing in the long-running culinary competition.
Ahead of the season premiere, Kish spoke with EntertainmentNow about hosting the show she once won, reflecting on her time on “The Traitors,” and discussing her chef-inspired beverage brand, Kish Apéritif.
Kristen Kish Launches Soju-Based Kish Apéritif Brand
EntertainmentNowKish first launched Kish Apéritif in 2022, creating a line of chef-inspired beverages rooted in Korean tradition.
The collection includes four expressions—Shine, Bliss, Seoul, and Earth—and is produced in California using natural ingredients. The brand is also the only soju-based apéritif currently on the market.
Kish said the project grew from a personal desire to explore her cultural background.
“For me, it was less about entering the spirits space and more about exploring my Korean heritage in a way that felt authentic to who I am,” Kish told EntertainmentNow. “I always entertain projects that allow me to learn more about that part of my identity and define what it means for me personally.”
The chef explained that soju felt like the right starting point for the brand.
“Soju felt like the natural place to start because it’s the Korean drinking spirit, so it grounded the project in something authentic to the culture,” Kish said. “At the same time, it has a clean, neutral profile, which I love as a chef because it gives you freedom to build flavor.”
Kish said each expression reflects a different creative element of her personality.
“Right now I’d say Seoul,” she said. “It has this tea-like quality to it, and my wife Bianca and I have a nightly tea ritual when we’re home together. I travel so much that those quiet moments in the evening feel really grounding.”
The ‘Top Chef’ Winner Shares Watch Party Cocktail Ideas
Kish said her apéritif line works especially well for simple cocktails, including drinks fans can serve during watch parties for “Top Chef” or “The Traitors.”
“I really love mixing Seoul with a tart lemonade; whether it’s a favorite craft brand or homemade,” Kish said. “It’s bright, easy, and perfect for sipping.”
She also suggested a few other combinations that require only two ingredients.
“Two-ingredient cocktails are perfect because they’re easy and flexible,” Kish said. “Shine with tonic, Bliss with an artisanal cola, or Earth with soda all work beautifully. It makes entertaining simple but still thoughtful.”
Kristen Kish Reflects on ‘The Traitors’ Season 4
Kish recently wrapped filming on season 4 of “The Traitors,” the Peacock competition series known for its strategic gameplay and social dynamics.
Despite the show’s intense nature, Kish said the experience led to unexpected friendships.
“What surprised me most was that I walked away with so many friends from such different corners of television,” Kish said. “The game is rooted in deception and strategy, so the fact that I could form real connections in that environment felt kind of crazy and really rewarding.”
Kish also explained that her background as a chef did not necessarily translate to the show’s strategic gameplay.
“My experience as a chef helped me relate to all kinds of people,” Kish said. “But kitchen instincts didn’t exactly translate to castle murder-mystery instincts. It was a whole new kind of strategy.”
The ‘Top Chef’ Host Says the Bravo Hit Can ‘Truly Change Someone’s Life’
As host of “Top Chef” season 23, Kish now experiences the competition from the other side of the table.
She said the new role has deepened her appreciation for what the show represents for contestants.
“Hosting has given me a greater appreciation for what Top Chef really is,” Kish said. “A competition that can truly change someone’s life, because it certainly changed mine.”
Kish explained that the stakes for contestants facing elimination challenges remain high.
“Surviving a ‘Top Chef’ elimination challenge is harder for me,” Kish said. “Top Chef is a competition that can literally change your life. It’s all on skill, technique, and performance under pressure.”
The new season also begins outside of the traditional kitchen setting, offering a fresh perspective for viewers.
“This season starts off outside of the Top Chef kitchen,” Kish said. “The new group of 15 chefs really sets the tone, and every episode feels like you’re discovering someone new.”
“Top Chef” season 23 premieres Monday, March 9 at 9/8c on Bravo.
