Amar Santana

Amar Santana
Born1982/1983
Dominican Republic
Culinary career
Current restaurant(s)
  • Broadway by Amar Santana
    Vaca
Previous restaurant(s)
  • The Hall Global Eatery
Television show(s)

Amar Santana (born 1982/1983)[1] is a Dominican-American chef and television personality. He is known as being a two-time contestant on the reality television show Top Chef.

Early life

Santana was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to the United States at age 13. He lived in East Elmhurst, Queens. After taking part in the Careers through Culinary Arts Program at Long Island City High School, he earned a scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America.[2]

Career

Santana studied and worked under chef Charlie Palmer for 10 years. Santana opened the restaurant Broadway By Amar Santana in 2011 in Laguna Beach, followed by Vaca in Costa Mesa in 2015.[3]

In 2013, Santana defeated chef Mirko Pademo in an episode of Knife Fight.[4] In 2015, he was featured on Top Chef: California. He came in second place behind Jeremy Ford.[3] In January 2020, Santana opened The Hall Global Eatery at the South Coast Plaza. It had closed by the end of 2021.[5]

Santana was invited to be a guest judge on Top Chef: Portland.[6] In 2023, he returned as a contestant on Top Chef: World All-Stars.[1] He was eliminated in episode 11 alongside Sara Bradley.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Mosqueda, Sarah (9 March 2023). "It's round three on 'Top Chef' for Amar Santana". Daily Pilot. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  2. ^ Matua, Angela (7 January 2016). "Watch this East Elmhurst native on the current season of 'Top Chef'". QNS. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Luna, Nancy (18 March 2016). "How Amar Santana went from an impoverished childhood to 'Top Chef' contender". Orange County Register. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  4. ^ Luna, Nancy (20 October 2015). "Orange County chef Amar Santana will appear on 'Top Chef'". Orange County Register. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  5. ^ Valdespino, Anne (8 December 2021). "Amar Santana's The Hall Global Eatery is closing at South Coast Plaza". Orange County Register. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  6. ^ Cook, B. W. (21 May 2021). "The Crowd: Local celebrity chef Amar Santana returns to Bravo's 'Top Chef'". Daily Pilot. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  7. ^ Montgomery, Daniel (19 May 2023). "'Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen' finale: Which of these three eliminated chefs will return to the competition?". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 28 May 2023.