COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With its nationally recognized restaurants and renowned chefs, central Ohio is continually building its reputation as a hub of culinary excellence.
Beyond awards and mentions on premier dining lists, the Columbus area also gains the attention of foodies with its celebrity chefs competing on TV.
The list below includes some of the most well-known chefs who have worked locally and their notable television appearances.
Columbus native, Ohio State alum and the chef and owner of restaurants Agni and Joya’s Cafe, Barua’s broadcast experience puts him at the top of Columbus’s celebrity chef list.
He has gained nationwide exposure through multiple appearances on Food Network and Bravo shows:
• 2025 Food Network, “Bobby’s Triple Threat:” Barua’s most recent TV appearance was in October on “Bobby’s Triple Threat.” The Season 4 episode, titled “Titans vs Avishar Barua,” put the “Beat Bobby Flay” winner up against Bobby Flay’s Titans for a chance to win $25,000.
• 2023 Food Network, “Beat Bobby Flay:” Barua appeared on the Food Network in May 2023, winning two rounds on the “Beat Bobby Flay” Season 33 episode, “This Is How We (Kati) Roll.” In the first round, Barua defeated New York City chef Romain Paumeir, the operator of a Michelin-starred restaurant. When Barua faced off against Flay, he was again victorious, making a lamb kati roll with a salsa guasacac and a maple chaat yogurt.
• 2024 Food Network, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives:” Barua’s Asian-inspired café, Joya’s, appeared on Season 40 of “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Hosted by another Columbus native, Guy Fieri, the show highlighted the café’s Bengali-American dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options.
• 2021 Bravo TV, “Top Chef:” Barua was a contestant on Season 18 of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef: Portland.” At the time, he was the executive chef and general manager of Service Bar in Columbus. Barua performed strongly, lasting through Episode 7 before his elimination.
• 2020 Food Network, “Guy’s Grocery Games:” Barua’s first television appearance was in March 2020 on Fieri’s “Guy’s Grocery Games.” The episode “Guy’s Trivia Games” quizzed contestants on their knowledge of international food. The ultimate prize was a cart worth up to $20,000.
• 2024 Food Network, “Chopped:” The former executive chef and culinary director at Littleton’s Market in Upper Arlington won Season 56, Episode 13 of “Chopped.” On the episode titled “Claws Out!,” Orsburn made what she described as an Asian-style stone crab salad in the first round. In the second round, she made a stir-fry with bison with a “strange mint dip,” which was part of the entrée challenge. In the third round, she made a French toast.
• 2022 HBO Max, “The Big Brunch:” Randazzo, who operated Ambrose and Eve as well as the Challah! food truck in Columbus, appeared on two episodes of the streamer’s cooking competition. Created by Dan Levy, the show pitted 10 chefs against each other to win a $300,000 prize. Randazzo was on the premiere episode, “Today’s Brunch is You,” and the second installment, “The Day After Brunch,” according to her IMDb.
• 2021 Food Network Canada “The Big Bake Canada:” Recent culinary director and executive pastry chef at Littleton’s Market, Clouse, now a digital creator, made an international appearance on “The Big Bake Canada.” Contestants on the show are tasked with making giant cakes in just five hours.
• 2020 Food Network “Halloween Baking Championship:” Clouse competed for seven episodes on “Halloween Baking Championship.” He made it to the final four bakers on Season 6 of the Food Network show, in which contestants create Halloween treats for costumed judges in hopes of winning a $25,000 prize.
• 2018 Food Network, “Guy’s Grocery Games:” Clouse previously appeared on the Season 16 episode, “Sweet and Savory Duos.”
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