Eliminated, walked out, or broken down, here’s everyone who has left Yes, Chef! so far

NBC’s Yes, Chef! isn't just another cooking competition, it's a culinary boot camp where 12 talented yet temperamental chefs, nominated by peers or family, are put through the wringer by culinary legends José Andrés and Martha Stewart. Since premiering on April 28, 2025, the show has pushed these chefs to do more than just cook amazing dishes. They’re also challenged to face personal struggles that have held them back in their careers.

With a big $250,000 prize on the line, the pressure in the kitchen is intense. As the competition heats up, a few chefs have already had to leave, whether they were sent home, chose to walk away, or faced unexpected situations. Let’s take a closer look at who has left Yes, Chef! so far.

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Petrina Peart sets the tone with the first elimination on Yes, Chef!

In the premiere episode, Chef Petrina Peart, an executive chef from Wyoming, became the first to be eliminated. Despite her impressive credentials, Petrina struggled with the show's intense environment but also acknowledged that the experience taught her to face her fears. Her early exit underscored the show's emphasis on personal growth alongside culinary excellence.

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Chef T's time mismanagement leads to departure

Episode 2 saw Chef Torrece “Chef T” Gregoire facing elimination after a team challenge that hinged on tight time management. She went over her allotted time while cooking, which ended up cutting into her teammate Michelle Francis’ prep window and threw off the overall kitchen rhythm.

The judges were very pleased with Chef T’s invention and use of flavors, but she couldn’t execute it quickly enough. In a surprise move, it was Michelle who had the ability to send someone home, and she picked Chef T. The move was surprising and with Chef T’s food being well-received, she was obviously caught off guard. This moment revealed the extreme personal dynamics and the performative nature of Yes, Chef! The show is not just about the cooking, it’s about the team, the timing and, sometimes, the tough decisions.

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Michelle Francis bows out in episode 3

In episode 3, Chef Michelle Francis was sent home after her dish didn’t meet the judges’ expectations. Throughout her time on Yes, Chef!, Michelle made a strong impression, not just for her cooking, but also for the memorable rivalry she had with fellow contestant Chef Katsuji Tanabe.

Their back-and-forth added some drama to the kitchen, keeping things interesting for viewers and competitors alike. However, when it came down to the challenge itself, it was Michelle’s overall performance that fell short, leading to her elimination. Despite the setback, Michelle demonstrated determination and resilience throughout the competition.

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Julia Chebotar's elimination in episode 4

Episode 4 featured a twist where contestants assigned ingredients to each other. Chef Julia Chebotar was given vanilla, which proved challenging.

Despite her efforts, the judges felt her dish didn't hit the mark, leading to her elimination. Julia later shared that the experience was a valuable lesson in adaptability and resilience.

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Peter Richardson's dramatic exit in episode 5

In Episode 5, pressure reached new levels as Chef Peter Richardson went head-to-head against Chef Chris Morales in a pressure-cooker elimination cook-off solely centred around egg-based dishes. Peter had put a lot of effort into his dish, but it did not reach the level of the other contestants, resulting in his leaving Yes, Chef!.

Kitchen tensions were high, and in a frustrated incident, Peter broke his hand, proof that the competition takes a massive emotional toll. This incident highlighted the immense pressure the chefs face, where every challenge tests not only their culinary skills but also their emotional resilience.

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Katsuji Tanabe's unexpected self-elimination

In a surprising turn of events, Chef Katsuji Tanabe chose to leave the competition voluntarily in episode 5 due to personal reasons.

Host Martha Stewart announced his departure without providing a specific reason. This unexpected exit reduced the contestant pool and left both viewers and fellow competitors shocked.

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With these departures, the competition narrows down. The remaining chefs

• Emily Brubaker
• Lee Frank
• Zain Ismail
• Jake Lawler
• Ronny Miranda

continue to battle it out for the title. As Yes, Chef! progresses, the kitchen heats up, and only the most adaptable and resilient chefs will survive the culinary gauntlet.

Stay tuned to Yes, Chef! on NBC and Peacock to see who rises to the top and who gets chopped next.