Chef Kenny Gilbert is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur best known for his standout appearance on Top Chef Season Seven. With more than three decades of global culinary experience, he has earned numerous wins on Food Network competitions, served as a judge on Chopped Junior, and appeared on major national TV platforms. In his Tournament of Champions Season 7 debut on Food Network, Gilbert won the D-Division and advanced to the Final Four, proving his place among the sport’s elite. In April 2026, he was named Headliner Chef for Southern Living Magazine’s 60th Anniversary celebration in Panama City, honoring the most iconic voices in Southern food and culture. His recipes and perspective have been featured in leading publications, and he has long been a trusted personal chef for Oprah Winfrey.
Gilbert is the creator of a successful spice and sauce line and the founder of House of Birds & Drop Biscuits. Throughout his career, he has opened and developed well over 44 restaurants, most recently expanding into airport concessions with 11-plus new locations—highlighted by the opening of Crawford’s Genuine at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which earned the prestigious Ace Award for Casual Dining.
Since joining Grove Bay Hospitality as VP of Culinary in 2022, he has helped take the group from $65M to just shy of $100M in annual sales. His debut cookbook, Southern Cooking, Global Flavors, was released in 2023, solidifying his voice as a modern leader in American cuisine.
