Tiffani Faison

Tiffani Faison is a chef, restaurateur, and television personality recognized for her influence on Boston's culinary scene. Faison began her restaurant career at age 14, progressing from busser to chef and owner. She trained at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts in Massachusetts, establishing a foundation for her professional cooking career. Faison has cooked for Todd English in Boston and worked with chefs including Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse, and Tony Maws. Early in her career, she appeared on the first season of Bravo's "Top Chef," finishing as runner-up. She has worked in kitchens in Nantucket, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and San Francisco before returning to Boston as executive chef of Southern Italian restaurant Rocca Kitchen & Bar.

Through her Boston-based restaurant group, Big Heart Hospitality, Faison has opened several restaurants, including Sweet Cheeks Q, known for Texas-style barbecue; Fool's Errand, featuring a snack-forward menu; Dive Bar, offering Southern and New England seafood; Tenderoni's Pizza, serving pizza and grinders; and Bubble Bath, pairing champagne with hot dogs and popcorn. Sweet Cheeks Q has received national recognition, with Forbes highlighting its biscuits and Southern Living including it on the "Great American Barbecue Bucket List."

Faison gained national attention on Bravo's "Top Chef" and has become a regular on Food Network, winning Season 3 of "Tournament of Champions." She serves as a judge on "Chopped" and "Guy's Grocery Games" and has co-hosted "Beat Bobby Flay." Faison has appeared on NBC's TODAY, CBS This Morning, and PBS's Simply Ming, and has hosted "Tiffani's Taste" and "Food Truck Friday" on New England Cable News.

The James Beard Foundation has nominated Faison for "Best Chef: Northeast" multiple times, and Boston magazine awarded her "Best Chef: General Excellence." The Boston Business Journal has included her on its "Power 50" list, The Boston Globe named Big Heart Hospitality "Restaurateurs of the Year," and Eater recognized Faison as "Empire Builder of the Year." She serves on the board of directors for Women Chefs and Restaurateurs and BAGLY (Boston Alliance of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Youth), and was appointed to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Restaurant Promotion Commission. Faison is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and the restaurant industry, continuing to influence American cuisine and hospitality.