Tiffani Faison

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Tiffani Faison is a German–born chef and was one of two finalists on the first season of Bravo's reality show, Top Chef. She finished second place to Harold Dieterle. Faison is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

Early career[]

Faison worked briefly as a bartender at Lucky's Lounge in 2001 and had a brief and unsuccessful stint at the Ritz Carlton Boston Common as the Backlot's Food and Beverage Director later the same year. She attended the Cambridge Culinary Institute (2002-2003).^[1] Just prior to appearing on Top Chef, Faison was employed as chef de partie under Daniel Boulud at his signature, Michelin Star restaurant in the Wynn Las Vegas and also worked at the Tao restaurant at The Venetian in the same city.

Television appearances[]

After the airing of the final episode of Top Chef in May 2006, Faison took a summer position cooking at the Straight Wharf restaurant in Nantucket, Massachusetts, working under chefs Amanda Lydon and Gabriel Frasca.^[2] In 2007, she was executive chef at Todd English's brasserie, Riche, in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[3] In May 2007, Faison cohosted a Greek Isles culinary cruise for Olivia, a lesbian lifestyle and travel services company.^[4]

Faison took part in a single episode cooking competition called 4 Star All Stars which pitted four Top Chef season one contestants (Stephen Asprinio, Dieterle, Faison and David Martin) against four season two contestants (Elia Aboumrad, Ilan Hall, Sam Talbot and Marcel Vigneron). Faison's team scored the winning menu and received a $20,000 donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity. This episode aired on Bravo on June 6, 2007.^[5]

Faison also took part in the Top Chef Holiday Special that aired on December 7, 2007, winning the $20,000 prize.

Faison returned to Boston, and was Executive Chef at Rocca Kitchen & Bar (500 Harrison Avenue), a once popular neighborhood space on Friday nights, until it closed in December, 2010.^[6]

Faison returned as a contestant on season 8 of Top Chef, and was eliminated in the sixth episode.

Faison finished as runner-up in the Top Chef Duels 2014 competition.^[7] As of 2020, Faison is an occasional judge on Chopped and participated as the judge to beat on one of the beat the judge episodes.

In 2021, Faison participated in Food Network's Tournament of Champions.^[8]

Restaurant owner[]

Faison is currently owner and head chef of Sweet Cheeks Q, a Texas-style barbecue restaurant in Boston's Fenway District. Opened in the Fall of 2011, it is her first restaurant.^[9] In December 2015 she opened Tiger Mama, a restaurant in Fenway focusing on Southeast Asian cuisine.^[10] Faison closed Tiger Mama in late October 2021 in order to focus on a new restaurant that will be located in the same space in Fenway (coming in late 2022).^[11]

In February 2019, Faison opened up her third Fenway restaurant, the "Adult Snack Bar" Fool's Errand.^[12] Her newest venture Orfano, which serves Italian-American cuisine, opened in August 2019.^[13]

Personal life[]

Faison formerly identified as bisexual^[14] but now identifies as lesbian.^[15] She is married to her business partner Kelly Walsh, who serves as director of operations for Faison's restaurant group, Big Heart Hospitality.^[16]

Faison was born in Germany, where her Vietnam vet father was stationed. They moved around several times during her childhood and by the time she was in high school, settled in Santa Rosa, California. She has been described as a competitive cheerleader. She began volunteering for HIV/AIDS organizations and going into San Francisco.^[16]

References[]