Filipino-Am Makes it to ‘Top Chef’ Finals

Filipino-American contestant Sheldon Simeon has reached the final leg of the American reality cooking television show Top Chef.

Simeon, a son of Filipino immigrants, has consistently impressed the judging panel — comprised of Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and Graham Elliot — with dishes that embody his Filipino and Hawaiian heritage, reported The National.

Simeon — who was raised in Maui, Hawaii, where he currently owns a restaurant with his wife Janice — has often told his fellow chefs on the show that his cooking is inspired by recipes from his Filipino grandmother, the report said.

After 12 weeks of competition, only three of 16 contestants remain in the competition: Simeon, Californian chef Brooke Williamson and Chinese-American Shirley Chung.

During the show’s final episode, which will air in the US on February 23, the remaining chefs will reportedly battle it out by cooking a multi-course meal for the panel.

“I am so stoked to showcase my Hawaiian cuisine and Filipino roots at the Top Chef finale,” Simeon was quoted as saying.

Simeon previously appeared on the program’s 10th season in 2012, finishing in third place among 18 chefs and winning the “Fan Favorite” audience award, reported The National.

The current 14th season features eight returning contestants from previous editions competing against eight new chefs.

(Source: FilipinoTimes.ae)