Top Chef Kaleena Bliss Takes the Jackpot: Winner Of Chopped: Casino Royale
Kaleena Bliss, a Pacific Northwest native, won the famous cooking show “Beachside Brawl” and “Chopped: Casino Royale” because of her excellent cooking skills.
Kaleena Bliss is an upcoming contestant on “Top Chef,” which will air on Food Network on March 20, 2024.
Bliss is a renowned chef from Chicago, Illinois, United States. Her birth date is not disclosed, but she was born in 1988. She is 36 years old as of 2024.
In 2009, Bliss graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts Management from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.
Bliss is identified in media materials as hailing from Chicago, although she has recently relocated there.
She came into the spotlight after winning the grand title of cook show “Chopped: Casino Royale,” putting all the great chefs behind.
Kaleena Bliss Appointed As Executive Chef At Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
Becoming the Executive Chef at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel was the turning point of her cooking career.
She officially joined the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel on March 1, 2023. For that, she moved from Seattle to Chicago.
The Hotel has been serving its guests since 1893, designed by a famous architect, Henry Ives Cobb.
Chef Bliss joined the culinary leadership team at the previously male-oriented club.
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The team now includes Sasha Suboc as chef de cuisine, Yami Mercado as a pastry chef, and Juan Hernandez as banquet chef.
The club has transformed into a boutique hotel typically led by women.
Chef Bliss planned to interpret her Pacific Northwest influences within the context of Chicago.
Her special menu included local wild produce, spring vegetables, and fresh seafood. She balanced familiarity while making the dishes and adding her twist.
Kaleena worked as a chef de cuisine for Seattle’s Mistral Kitchen until 2016. Afterward, she served as a sous chef at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle.
In 2022, Bliss was chosen as one of the recipients of The Puget Sound Business Journal’s ’40 under 40′ Award for her community work and outreach efforts.
Kaleena Bliss Is Also A Mental Health Advocate
The executive chef also serves as a mental health advocate. She has always been transparent regarding her struggles with anxiety.
The struggle inspired her to adopt a forward-thinking approach to promoting positive changes and shifts in the kitchen among her cooking team.
Bliss is a true inspiration for young people struggling in the cooking field.
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Her parents were also there for her while she was battling and struggling with anxiety.
However, Bliss has not revealed her parents and family background to social media; she has family support in every step of her life.
With 16 years of experience, Bliss also implements measures to prioritize mental well-being among her kitchen team, where support is available.
Currently, Kaleena is out of the anxiety and is ready to compete in the show “Top Chef” in March 2024.
Altogether, being appointed as executive chef of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel emphasizes her dedication to culinary excellence and mental health advocacy.
FAQ’s
1. What Is Kaleena Bliss’s Net Worth?
A Pacific Northwest native, Kaleena Bliss has a net worth of around $2 million as of 2024.
2. Who has the most wins on Chopped?
Adam Greenberg has five wins on Chopped. He beat Bobby Flay and earned the title of what he calls the “all-time winningest Food Network competitor.”
3. What happens if you win Chopped?
The winner receives a $10,000 cash prize. However, some special tournaments have featured larger cash prizes.
4. Are Chopped winnings Taxed?
Yes, it is the winner’s responsibility to pay all federal, state, and local taxes. They will be issued a 1099 tax form for the actual value of the respective prize.
