Aug. 10—Preeti Mistry, executive chef at Google’s Charlie’s Café in Mountain View, Calif., a Bon Appétit account, will compete on the 6th season of Bravo’s Top Chef.
According to a Bon Appétit press release, Mistry will be the first “cheftestant” on the show to come from a corporate foodservice background. Born in London and raised in the United States, Mistry worked in film before making the switch to cooking. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu London and worked at several London restaurants including The Sugar Club and Moro. She also launched a San Francisco-based catering and event firm before joining Bon Appeitit’s team at Google, where she helps prepare more than 2,000 made-from-scratch meals per day.
“[While working at Bon Appétit,] my commitment to cooking sustainably has been pushed so much further,” Mistry said in a press release. “I have always believed in cooking seasonally and using local ingredients, and with programs like the Low Carbon Diet, Eat Local Challenge and Circle of Responsibility, my commitment to how I source my ingredients and, more importantly, why have been reinforced in such a way that I don't think I could cook any other way."
According to the release, Mistry’s personal approach to cooking is often a blend of her Indian heritage, international travels and a California sensibility.
"Preeti has pitch perfect taste and incredible instincts. She creates memorable dishes that balance layers of bold flavors with a subtlety that lets the ingredients speak," Fedele Bauccio, CEO of Bon Appétit, said in a press release. "She's proven her mettle in our fast-paced cafes, while catering to diners with grace and humility. Personal experience tells me that her cassoulet alone could win her the title and that the Top Chef judges are sure to be wowed."
The new season of Top Chef premiers Aug. 19.