Paul Joseph
Haitian-born Chef Paul Joseph moved to America and initially studied and worked in accounting. While crunching numbers by day, he took a part-time job as a line cook by night and discovered a passion for food. This led Chef Paul back to school for a culinary arts degree, after which he worked in restaurants in the New York City/New Jersey metro area. His first executive chef role was at FireBird Russian Restaurant, followed by Central Kitchen, and the Warwick New York Hotel. Currently, Chef Joseph is a culinary instructor, and also does catering, events, and hospitality research and development.
Salvatore Lima
Italian-born Chef Salvatore Lima moved to America at age 18. He worked and learned the art of his homeland's authentic Neapolitan cuisine in the kitchens of Little Italy at friends’ and family’s restaurants Caffe Napoli and La Tarantella. At the time he competed on Chopped, Chef Salvatore was the executive chef at Giovanna's Restaurant, which has since closed. Just before the start of the pandemic in 2020, Chef Lima opened the doors of his own restaurant, Donna Margherita Italian Trattoria & Wine Bar. Thankfully it survived the early hardship.
Steve Eakins
Chef Steve Eakins spent around a decade in New York City, NY, working in Chopped Judge Marc Murphy’s Benchmarc restaurants' kitchens. He served as executive chef at Ditch Plains, Landmarc at the Time Warner Center, Kingside in the Viceroy Hotel, and Landmarc in Tribeca. Eventually, he left NYC to return to his hometown, Rochester, NY, where he became the executive chef of entertainment, dining, and events venue Radio Social. While there, a specialty menu item – charred duck wings – developed by Chef Eakins was featured on season 12, episode 9 of Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Since then, he’s moved on to other roles reshaping the culinary direction at The Lake House in Canandaigua and the famed Oak Hill Country Club.
Palak Patel
Indian-born Chef Palak Patel moved to Atlanta, GA when she was 12 years old. She spent over a decade in a corporate marketing career before changing paths and becoming a chef. Focused on being a private chef, she worked in New York City, NY, and Southern France. Appearances on multiple Food Network shows, beginning with Chopped, helped build her personal brand and partnerships with high-profile brands like Clif Bar, BOU, Whole Foods, and Hello Fresh. Rewatch Chef Patel on season two, episode 12 of Beat Bobby Flay; season two, episode two of Rewrapped; and season 14 of Food Network Star (eliminated in week seven). During the pandemic, she moved back to Atlanta and opened Dash & Chutney, a vegan Indian stall located in the Chattahoochee Food Works. Unfortunately, the business lasted less than two years. Since then, Chef Patel has been working on a food and lifestyle blog The Chutney Life, and releasing her debut cookbook The Chutney Life: 100 Easy-to-Make Indian-Inspired Recipes.