Richard Blais

Best known as a winner of Bravo's "Top Chef: All-Stars," Richard Blais has been a prominent figure in the hospitality industry for the past 15 years. He kicked off his culinary journey as a "poissonier" at McDonald's, where he explored deconstructed cuisine. From this humble beginning, he moved on to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He spent his time between semesters learning from renowned chef Thomas Keller at the French Laundry in Yountville, CA.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1998, Blais moved to New York to work with Chef Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel. He then traveled to Roses, Spain, for a short stint at El Bulli with culinary innovator Ferran Adria. In 2000, Blais relocated to Atlanta to manage a local seafood concept. His innovative approach to cooking led to the creation of Trail Blais, a forward-thinking culinary company that has consulted on, designed, and operated some of Atlanta's most popular eateries, including multiple outposts of Flip Burger Boutique. Besides this, Blais owns several successful restaurants, including Juniper & Ivy, The Crack Shack, and his latest venture, Four Flamingos, which opened in December 2021 at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida.

Blais's culinary prowess extends beyond just restaurants. He has authored several cookbooks, including "Try This at Home: Recipes From My Head to Your Plate," which was nominated for a James Beard Award, "So Good: 100 Recipes from My Kitchen to Yours," and the plant-based diet cookbook "Plant Forward: 100 Bold Recipes for a Mostly Healthy Lifestyle," released in 2023. He also hosts a weekly podcast called "Starving For Attention" and a game-show-style podcast called "Food Court with Richard Blais."

Blais has a notable presence on television, having been a contestant on shows like "Top Chef" and "Iron Chef America." He's also appeared as a regular judge on Bravo's "Top Chef" franchise and hosted shows like "Hungry Games" on Food Network and "Man vs. Master" on FYI. Apart from these, he's also featured on "Guy's Grocery Games," "Next Level Chef," and has made guest appearances in talk shows and even in the movie "Why Him?".

On a personal note, Blais is an accomplished runner, having completed five New York City marathons, with his first being the ING New York City marathon in November 2011, which he ran for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Jazmin, and their two daughters, Riley and Embry.