"I’ve just been a Zen person" - Yes, Chef! star Peter Richardson reflects on lessons from the show

Chef Peter Richardson is the latest contestant to leave NBC’s Yes, Chef!, exiting the kitchen in the May 26 episode after a tough elimination cookoff. Despite the emotional send-off, Richardson left with no regrets and a renewed approach to life and cooking.

“There’s definitely tons of things that I’ve learned just as a chef that I instill in my cooking now, just even being more calm,” he told NBC Insider. “I’ve just been a Zen person ever since I got back.”

The Long Island-based private chef was eliminated after a 30-minute egg challenge, where he served deviled eggs that judges Martha Stewart and José Andrés found uneven in presentation and flavor. While the competition ended for Richardson in episode 5, his experience on Yes, Chef! reshaped his culinary mindset and personal growth.

Chef Peter on growth, friendship, and what’s next after Yes, Chef!

Though his time on Yes, Chef! ended earlier than he hoped, Chef Peter Richardson said he walked away with lasting friendships and a clearer sense of professional purpose. During his interview with NBC Insider, Richardson emphasized the emotional intensity of the competition and how close bonds with fellow contestants helped him navigate the pressure-filled environment.

“Throughout the couple of weeks I was in this competition, we really learned to lean on each other,” he said. “It does make it tougher for being a competitor, but it’s friendships that I’ll have for the rest of my life, and I will cherish.”

One of the strongest connections he formed on Yes, Chef! was with fellow contestant Chef Jake Lawler. Their bond extended beyond the screen. Chef Jake refused to vote for Richardson in the elimination round, an act of loyalty that resonated deeply with him.

“That just really means I could trust him and he’s really a true friend. When someone gives you a word like that, you never go back on it,” he said.

Richardson expressed strong support for Chef Jake, saying they connected from the start. He praised Jake’s cooking skills and appreciated how Jake encouraged and calmed him during tough moments in the kitchen.

Following the conclusion of Yes, Chef! filming, the two chefs have continued their culinary partnership. On June 13, they will co-host a pop-up dining event in Wisconsin, showcasing a complex, multi-course menu that includes dishes like beef tartare, oxtail croquette, crispy octopus, venison loin, and strawberry panna cotta.

“We’re actually doing a very intense menu,” Richardson said. “It’s gonna take about, I would say almost two days…of prep time and it’s not even for that many people.”

Richardson shared that he is growing his private chef business by moving beyond kosher cuisine to include upscale fine dining. He mentioned traveling across the U.S., working with private clients, and hosting pop-up events as part of this new phase.

How was Chef Peter eliminated from the show?

Chef Peter Richardson’s elimination on the May 26 episode of Yes, Chef! occurred during the show’s first individual challenge. After Chef Katsuji Tanabe left the competition unexpectedly, seven chefs competed solo in a family-style dish round where they had to serve and critique each other’s food.

Richardson, who attempted a duck confit pasta with kohlrabi and asparagus, failed to impress the group and received no gold stars. As a result, he was one of the two chefs selected for elimination, alongside Chef Chris Morales.

The final cookoff required both chefs to prepare an egg-based dish in 30 minutes. Chef Richardson made deviled eggs seasoned with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, paprika, and caviar.

While Judge José Andrés appreciated the taste and even ate an extra portion, Judge Martha Stewart pointed out several flaws, noting the eggs were “very rough,” “messy,” and too salty. The overly lemony yolks and broken egg whites ultimately led to his elimination. This marked the end of Richardson’s journey on Yes, Chef!

Trending

New episodes of Yes, Chef! air every Monday at 10 pm EST on NBC and are available to stream the next day on Peacock.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback