5 Things in Kristen Kish’s Fridge

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With a second season as host of Bravo’s Top Chef under her belt, Kristen Kish has settled into her role on the other side of the judge’s table. Her journey with the award-winning reality show began in 2012 as a contestant on Season 10. Her elimination and following redemption as she won her way back to the top on Last Chance Kitchen earned her the title of Top Chef. Since then, she’s opened a restaurant, Arlo Grey, in Austin, written a cookbook, and most recently, published a memoir, Accidentally on Purpose (Little, Brown and Company, 2025). Now, she’s putting all her experiences to good use, judging crops of chef contestants whose talent levels have risen each season. Given Kish’s relentless travel schedule, it’s sometimes hard to predict what might be in her fridge, but the chef says she makes sure to have comfort food waiting for her when she gets home. —Ellen Fort

When I come home from a trip, I always make a point to have something homemade already in the refrigerator. Usually some form of chicken soup: warm and comforting and delicious.”

Kristen Kish Shares Her 5 Fridge Mainstays

1. Kewpie Mayo

Though there are many fine mayos, Kish says Kewpie is her number one. “Always Kewpie,” she notes.

2. Sunflower Seed Butter

Move aside, peanut butter—toasty, mellow sunflower seed butter is the new spread in town. “I’m obsessed,” says Kish. “Recently I’m putting it on everything.”

3. Hot Sauce

As for which kind, “it depends on what I’m eating,” says Kish. “I think my natural go-to is Crystal. It can go on anything.”

4. Pickled Peppers

Kish keeps jars of spicy, tangy pickled condiments on hand at all times, whether it’s hot giardiniera, pickled jalapeño, banana peppers, or all three.

5. Something Expired

“Like a wilty piece of carrot that just kind of got forgotten about,” says Kish, proving that no one—not even a Top Chef—is exempt from the tyranny of expiration dates.