Chicago has a healthy track record on culinary competition shows. Here are some notable reality show favorites and what they are up to now.
Chef: Brenda and Mary Maher, aka the Cakegirls
Show: ” Food Network Challenge” and We TV’s “Amazing Wedding Cakes”
Update: The Cakegirls are trying to salvage their business after a fire tore through their Lakeview storefront March 29. The third season of “Amazing Wedding Cakes,” the reality show the Cakegirls appear on, premieres Aug. 29 and was filmed inside the bakery last October, before the fire. “It will be bittersweet watching it,” co-owner Brenda Maher said. “It will almost be like watching a home video.”
Chef: Stephanie Izard
Show: “Top Chef,” Season 4 winner
Update: Izard is in the process of opening a new restaurant, Girl & The Goat, at 809 W. Randolph St. According to her Web site, she was looking for servers and goat decorations last week, which could mean the restaurant will be opening soon.
Chef: Dale Levitski
Show: “Top Chef,” Season 3
Update: Levitski is the executive chef of Sprout at 1417 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chef: Connie ‘Lovely’ Jackson
Show: “Hell’s Kitchen,” Season 6
Update: Jackson is the owner of “Lovely Eats,” a catering company in Chicago, but she has spent a lot of her time working on her album, “Hip Hop Glam,” which was released in October.
Chef: Radhika Desai
Show: “Top Chef,” Season 5
Update: Desai is the chef at gastropub English in the River North neighborhood, 444 N. LaSalle St.