Dallas Chef John Tesar Returns to Food Network for New Show

Season 14 of Top Chef put Dallas-based chef John Tesar on the back burner in 2016. This year, however, he is coming to Food Network for the premiere of House of Knives.

The new show will feature a roster of top-tier chefs competing for a culinary crown and $100,000 grand prize. According to a press release, the eight-episode competition "names a weekly ruler based on challenges that reflect the contenders' personal stories, food influences, and cultures, while the least successful chefs are banished. "

There are nine chefs on the roster for season one, including Tesar, but only six will compete at a time. In each episode, a chef is eliminated, and then there is a dramatic reveal: a new legendary chef entering the arena.

In the series premiere, host Scott Conant introduces six of the world's most prestigious chefs. The competition begins with each chef using a signature ingredient in hopes of impressing "Culinary Council" members Conant, Judy Joo and Marcus Samuelsson.

The winning chef will take a seat on the throne and the least successful chef will be banished. Following that round, an advantage is given to the chef who demonstrates the best mastery.

Given that our own chef, John Tesar, has multiple restaurants named after the show's titular kitchen tool — Knife, Knife Burger and Knife and Spoon — it was almost a given he'd be there to commemorate House of Knives' first season.

Chef Tesar's culinary career spans four decades and includes fine dining in New York City. There he worked alongside Anthony Bourdain at the Supper Club and many other iconic '90s NYC restaurants. After a pit stop in Vegas, he was drawn to Dallas' blossoming food scene in 2006.

Although he is classically trained in steak and seafood, Tesar is known for his reinvention of the steakhouse dining experience. This, along with his laundry list of awards, accolades and achievements, helped shape the food scene in Dallas today.

Knife and Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando was awarded a Michelin star in 2022, and Tesar hopes to earn a Michelin star in Texas with the opening of his new restaurant, Knife Steak and Seafood. But before that happens, he'll be competing for a chance to win $100,000.

We don't know if Tesar is starting the season or if he will be one of the chefs introduced after an elimination, but the best way to find out is to tune into the Food Network on Tuesday, March 18 at 9 p.m. CST. The series will run weekly and crown a winner on Tuesday, May 6.