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Eric Adjepong

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Eric Adjepong
Born
New York City, New York, U.S.
EducationJohnson & Wales University,
University of Westminster
Known forCelebrity chef, television personality, author
SpouseJanell Mack (divorced)
Children1
Websitechefadjepong.com

Eric Adjepong is an American chef, television personality, and author. He was a finalist on the television series Top Chef: Kentucky season 16.[1][2][3] He has appeared on multiple Food Network television shows, including as host of Alex vs. America.[1][4]

Early life and education

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Eric Adjepong was born and raised in the Bronx neighborhood in New York City and is of Ghanaian descent.[5][6][7] He was the first member of his family to be born outside of Ghana, his parents immigrated to the United States in the 1980s.[8][9]

He has a degree in culinary arts and nutrition from Johnson & Wales University, and a master’s of public health degree in international public health nutrition from the University of Westminster.[10]

Adjepong married Janell Mack in 2016, and together they have a daughter.[11][12]

Career

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Adjepong's culinary interest are in the American South, West African, Caribbean, and South American cuisines.[6][13] He co-owns with his wife Janell, "Pinch and Plate" in Washington, D.C., a catering company which also hosts pop-up meals.[8][13]

In 2018, Adjepong made it to the Top Chef: Kentucky finale, where he competed against two other chefs: Kelsey Barnard Clark of Alabama, and Sara Bradley of Kentucky.[13] He ambitiously announced his meal for the series finale would, “tell the story of the transatlantic slave trade and how those flavors migrated to the South”, which highlighted both underrepresented cuisine and history.[13][14]

After becoming a finalist on season 16 of Top Chef: Kentucky, Adjepong competed on season 17 of Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.[15] and several other Food Network shows, like Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions.[5] He has been a food competition judge on the television series, the Great Soul Food Cook-Off, Supermarket Stakeout, Guy's Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, and Chopped.[5]

In 2020, he had plans to open a counter service restaurant called "On the Double" in the Union Market food hall,[16] however it was greatly delayed.[17]

Since January 2022, Adjepong is the host of Alex vs. America, a Food Network show on its third season starring chef Alex Guarnaschelli competing against a series of guest chefs with a focus on a single culinary genre.[4][18]

Publications

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  • Adjepong, Eric (2023). Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging. Lala Watkins (illustrator). Penguin. ISBN 9780593661727.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Food Network's Chef Eric Adjepong Brings African Cuisine into the Spotlight". The Root. 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  2. ^ Gomez, Patrick (October 18, 2018). "'Top Chef' heads to Kentucky! Here's a sneak peek at season 16 of the Bravo reality series". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  3. ^ Anderson, Brett (2023-03-10). "Inside the 'Top Chef' Industrial Complex". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  4. ^ a b Maas, Jennifer (2022-09-21). "'Alex vs America' Renewed for Season 3 at Food Network (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  5. ^ a b c Weiss, Sabrina (September 23, 2022). "Inside Eric Adjepong's Favorite Sunday Tradition of Going to Church and Baking with His Daughter". People. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  6. ^ a b c Taylor, DeAnna (2023-04-13). "Toast & Taste: Chef Eric Adjepong Brings West Africa to the Big Apple Through Cuisine". Ebony. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  7. ^ "The Dish: Eric Adjepong talks bringing international flavors to American audiences". MSN. 2023-03-11. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  8. ^ a b "The Untold Truth Of Chef Eric Adjepong". Mashed. 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  9. ^ "My Story: Eric Adjepong". Washington Business Journal. September 24, 2020. Retrieved 2023-06-09. first person in my immediate family to be born outside of Ghana. My parents arrived in New York City in the late 1980s
  10. ^ "Episode 54: Eat with an Open Mind with Eric Adjepong". Ellie Krieger. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  11. ^ "Bridal Bliss: Eric And Janell's Philly Wedding Style Deserves Applause". Essence. 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  12. ^ "Eric Adjepong Knew His Wife Janell Mack Was The One While Watching a Movie". Distractify. 2023-04-16. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  13. ^ a b c d Judkis, Maura (2021-10-28). "The 'Top Chef' judges never ate Eric Adjepong's finale meal. So he made it for us instead". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  14. ^ Wilson, Korsha (2019-05-17). "A Chef Tells the Story of the Slave Trade Through Dinner". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  15. ^ "Chef Eric Adjepong brought a powerful conversation to Top Chef". FoodSided. 2020-05-28. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  16. ^ Chapin, Adele (2020-03-05). "'Top Chef' Star Eric Adjepong's First Public Restaurant Will Be a Fry Bread Counter". Eater DC. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  17. ^ Medora, Sabrina (June 11, 2020). "Eric Adjepong is Staying Optimistic Amid COVID Delays to Open His First Restaurant". Plate. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  18. ^ "Eric Adjepong Is Building Up His Own Poker Skills Hosting 'Wildcard Kitchen' [Interview]". Collider. 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
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