Top Chef Junior: Where Are They Now? 7 Young Culinary Stars Who Grew Up And Became Authors, Models, And College Students In 2025

It has been years since the high-energy, high-stakes kitchen of Top Chef Junior last graced our screens on Universal Kids, leaving millions to wonder what became of the talented young chefs who competed for the $50,000 grand prize. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the lives of these kid chefs have taken fascinating and diverse paths, moving far beyond the Quickfire and Elimination Challenges.

The show, hosted by Vanessa Lachey and judged by culinary icon Curtis Stone, launched the careers of a dozen young culinary stars, proving that passion for food has no age limit. From publishing a celebrated cookbook while attending an Ivy League university to pursuing a life as a multi-talented athlete and chef, the post-show journeys of the Top Chef Junior contestants are a powerful testament to their initial talent and enduring drive.

The Culinary Phenoms: Top Chef Junior Winners' Current Status

The ultimate question for any reality competition fan is always: did the winners stick with their chosen career? For the two champions of Top Chef Junior, the answer is a resounding yes, though their paths have diverged significantly as they’ve grown into young adults.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Owen Pereira (Season 1 Winner)

Owen Pereira, a then-13-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland, was crowned the first-ever Top Chef Junior champion, taking home the coveted title and the $50,000 prize.

• Winning Age: 13 years old.
• Hometown: Baltimore, MD.
• Post-Show Focus: After his big win, Owen continued to develop his culinary skills, often showcasing his love for hearty, well-executed dishes.
• Current Status (2025): While Owen has maintained a relatively private life compared to some of his co-stars, his victory cemented his status as a young culinary prodigy. He is now a young adult, likely focusing on his college education or beginning his professional career, continuing to cook and inspire from behind the scenes.

Nikki Bidun (Season 2 Winner)

The Season 2 finale saw 12-year-old Nikki Bidun from New York City take the crown, showcasing a remarkable blend of technical skill and creative flair.

• Winning Age: 12 years old.
• Hometown: New York City, NY.
• Dual Passions: Nikki's journey highlights a fascinating balance between her culinary talent and her passion for sports. She is known to run a blog called "Hungry Footballer," which perfectly encapsulates her dual interests in cooking and soccer.
• Media Appearances: Following her win, Nikki made appearances on national television, demonstrating her skills with recipes like a savory breakfast pizza and a sweet Swiss roll on the TODAY show.
• Current Status (2025): Now a young adult, Nikki continues to be a multi-talented individual, blending her high-level cooking expertise with her athletic pursuits, proving that young chefs can successfully pursue a wide range of interests.

From TV Kitchen to Published Author: Rahanna Bisseret Martinez's Journey

Perhaps the most publicly successful and established post-show career belongs to Season 1 finalist, Rahanna Bisseret Martinez. Her journey is a true inspiration for aspiring young culinary professionals.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

Rahanna Bisseret Martinez, who competed on the first season, has transformed her television exposure into a serious academic and professional career.

She is currently a sophomore at Cornell University, where she is part of the Class of 2026.

Her academic pursuits have not slowed her culinary momentum; she has already published her debut cookbook, Flavor+Us: Cooking for Everyone.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

The cookbook is a celebration of her heritage, featuring recipes that honor her Black and Mexican roots, and is published under Bryant Terry's 4 Color Books imprint at Ten Speed Press.

Before college and her book launch, Rahanna gained valuable experience working in the kitchens of prestigious establishments, including the legendary Chez Panisse.

Her ability to honor her multicultural cuisine while pursuing an elite education makes her one of the most successful and exciting young chefs to emerge from the competition.

The Lasting Legacy of a Young Star: Remembering Fuller Goldsmith

The Top Chef Junior family suffered a heartbreaking loss with the passing of Season 1 contestant, Fuller Goldsmith, who died at the age of 17.

Fuller was not only a competitor on Top Chef Junior but was also the winner of another major food competition, Food Network's Chopped Junior.

Throughout his life, Fuller bravely battled a rare form of cancer, a fight that garnered him immense support from the culinary community and his fellow contestants.

His infectious spirit and passion for cooking left a lasting impression on the show's judges and hosts, including Vanessa Lachey, who shared a touching tribute to the young chef.

Fuller’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the incredible talent and resilience of all the young chefs who appeared on the show, and his culinary legacy continues to be honored by those who knew him.

What Happened to the Other Fan-Favorite Kid Chefs?

The show's cast was packed with incredible talent, and many of the other young chefs have also continued their culinary and personal growth, albeit with less public fanfare than the winners.

• Londyn Green (Season 2 Runner-Up): Londyn, the spirited young chef from Atlanta, Georgia, was the runner-up in the second season. Her journey was marked by consistent performance and a fiery passion for cooking, which she continues to cultivate in her home city.
• Milo Fleming (Season 1 Contestant): Milo was noted for his enduring love for cooking, a passion he continues to pursue outside of the television spotlight.
• Maxine Sutton (Season 1 Contestant): Maxine’s career has taken an interesting turn, with reports indicating she has branched out into the modeling world while still maintaining her connection to the food industry.

The Enduring Impact of Top Chef Junior

The two-season run of Top Chef Junior may have been brief, but its impact on the lives of its young contestants is undeniable.

The competition served as a powerful launchpad, giving these young individuals the confidence and platform to pursue their dreams, whether that meant publishing a cookbook, attending an elite university, exploring a career in modeling, or simply continuing to cook amazing food for their families and communities.

The show successfully highlighted the incredible skill and maturity of kid chefs, inspiring a new generation of young cooks across the globe. As the winners and finalists continue to grow, the culinary world eagerly awaits their next big achievements, confirming that the title of Top Chef Junior is a badge of honor that lasts a lifetime.