Brooke Williamson (born August 15, 1978, Los Angeles, California)[1] is an American chef, television personality and restaurateur. She is a Top Chef television series alum and co-owns Playa Provisions and Company for Dinner with her chef husband Nick Roberts.[2]
In 2001 Williamson was hired by Chris and Chantal Schaefer as executive chef of Zax where she met her husband who was her sous chef.[3] Two years later she opened a restaurant with Roberts – Amuse Café. The couple thereafter opened Hudson House (which she left in December 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic)[4] the Tripel,[5] Playa Provisions,[6] Tripli-Kit, and Da Kikokiko.[7]
Williamson has participated on Bravo's, Top Chef Duels, Esquire network's Knife Fight (where she took home the win) and Food Network's Guy's Grocery Games.[8] On BBQ Brawl she was a judge and she was host and mentor for MTV's House of Food.[9] She worked with Eko and Walmart on Cook Together, which was the first 'real time' cooking show in which viewers can cook with the hosts while they cook.[10]
Williamson regularly participates in philanthropic efforts, oftentimes with Roberts.[11] Examples of this include: her place on the Leadership Council of No Kid Hungry and[12] a supporter[13] of the James Beard Foundation.[14] During the coronavirus pandemic she has been active in 'Help Feed the Frontline LA'[15] and World Central Kitchen.[16]
Williamson won Season 14 of Top Chef[17] as well as three consecutive challenges in Last Chance Kitchen.[18] She is the youngest female chef to cook at the James Beard House[19] and at aged 21 she became the youngest sous chef at Michael's.[20] To date she has won and has been an all-star judge for Top Chef.[21] Williamson and Roberts were awarded the title of "Rising Star Chefs" from StarChefs in 2004.[22] Padma Lakshmi dubbed her the "Quickfire Queen."[23] Williamson was the winner of the inaugural Food Network Tournament of Champions in April, 2020, and the runner-up in 2021 and 2022.[24]