Have local chefs lured TV lights to Greenville

Greenville has local chefs who are not strangers to national TV lights.

Now that the TV show "Chopped" is televising its show right here in Greenville, it's time for others to step into the light.

But these chefs can thank those who went before them for their groundbreaking skill and their national reputations, which paved the way for them to now showcase their culinary talents.

The rise of Greenville's food and dining scene continues to gain popularity, as evidenced by Bravo Network's "Top Chef" announcing filming in the area for its upcoming Season 23.

Greenville's food and dining scene has been on the rise, thanks to events like Fall for Greenville, Euphoria, and the presence of fine dining spaces near downtown, which have helped shape the city's culture.

Over the past three decades, the market has seen an influx of quality and regional food options, corporate franchises, and James Beard nominees, paving the way for the next food phenomenon and cultural shift.

With the upcoming season of 'Top Chef Carolinas' being filmed in Greenville, here are five area chefs who have made network television appearances:

Chef Dayna Lee Marquez

• Show Appearance: Food Network's "Beat Bobby Flay," on May 30, 2025.

The South Texas native and Greenville enthusiast, Chef Dayna Lee Marquez, made her television debut on the Food Network against Bobby Flay in mid-2025. The owner of Comal 864 and Escorpion, who was also named as part of the 2025 USA Today Restaurants of the Year, made her mark by facing a fear of being up against a culinary legend and putting her best foot forward.

"It was my first time being in an environment like that, so my anxiety was through the roof," said Lee Marquez of her 2025 Food Network appearance. "But it was nice to meet people who were very different than me and to also represent South Carolina."

During the episode, Chef Lee Marquez created Texas-style breakfast tacos with carne asada and steamed flour tortillas — a dish she felt the most comfortable making due to her South Texan roots — receiving praise from show judges on her cooking methodology.

Although Chef Lee Marquez did not make it past the first round of "Chopped," her experience was an important moment in the pursuit of her culinary passions. In 2023, she was named a regional semifinalist for a James Beard Award.

Chef John Malik

• Show appearance: Food Network's "Sara Moulton: Cooking Live Primetime" for 10 appearances between 1999 and 2000; various other Food Network features.

Chef John Malik is a local legend known as being the first Greenville-based culinary nominee for a James Beard Award back in 2008. His culinary story developed as a native of New Orleans and was substantiated through his years of service as a restaurant consultant, culinary commentator, and owner of 33 Liberty Restaurant.

In 1999 and 2000, Chef John Malik appeared on "Sara Moulton Primetime" — a former Food Network show — while serving as a chef at Augusta Grill in Greenville.

During his network appearances, he would cook for Chip Ganassi's Indy Car team and even duo-chef alongside Rodney Friedank of Table 301, who were both in New York City at the time and had the opportunity to cook at the James Beard House.

Chef Jason Ellis

• Show appearance: "Gordon Ramsay's: Hell's Kitchen" for 13 episodes, which aired in 2010.

The Greenville Tech, Carolina Culinary Institute graduate and former chef at Ristorante Bergamo and Table 301, is well-traveled and experienced in the kitchen.

Chef Jason Ellis has made his most significant culinary mark over the past 20 years in Atlanta, providing private chef and catering services for stars such as Quincy Jones, Evander Holyfield, Usher, Julius Irving, and more.

Prior to opening two restaurants in the Atlanta metro area, and now his first in Greenville, Chef Jason Ellis' first national television appearance took place during 10 episodes of "Gordon Ramsey's: Hell's Kitchen" in 2010.

Chef Michael Sibert

• Show appearance: Food Network's "Chopped' on March 4, 2025; "Guy's Grocery Games" on July 19, 2023.

Owner of the White Wine and Butter brand, Chef Michael Sibert has continued his ascent into culinary stardom over the past three years. In 2023, the Greer-based Creole specialist appeared on a Guy Fieri game show and was then named the 2024 South Carolina Chef Ambassador in 2024.

Last year, Chef Sibert was invited back to Food Network Studios for a chance on "Chopped," where he walked away a winner with the grand prize of $10,000.

"Those television opportunities didn't just boost my career; they deepened my purpose," said Chef Sibert. "They reminded me that food is about family, legacy, and connection."

During his recent appearance on "Chopped," popular Food Network judge Alex Guarnaschelli commended Sibert's second-round performance, as he created a roasted teres major with coconut yogurt risotto.

"You ran a billion lights, and from me, you don't get a single ticket," said Guarnaschelli during the episode, further cementing the Greenville chef's creativity and expertise.

"Being on primetime television was a surreal and defining moment in my career. More than anything, it made me reflect on where I came from," said Chef Sibert. "I thought about my Granny in the kitchen, cooking from the heart with whatever she had, feeding people with love."

Chef Austyn McGroarty

• Show appearance: Food Network: "Chopped" on January 7, 2025.

A key cog in the service and dining experience established at Curean and Woodside Bistro, Chef Austyn McGroarty made his television debut in January 2025 by appearing on Food Network's "Chopped."

During the Season 61 episode, the Greenville-based chef took second place and prepared a balsamic-pickled shrimp poke bowl, fried ravioli and bolognese, and a Dubai-pistachio cinnamon roll with "marsh-capone" frosting.

Chef McGroarty now serves on the Executive Catering Team at Larkin's.