Michele Ragussis facts for kids
| Born | November 26, 1969 Derby, Connecticut, United States |
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| Cooking style | New England–style seafood |
| Education | Johnson & Wales University |
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Current restaurant(s)
Pearl Seafood Restaurant & Raw Bar
Rockland, Maine |
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Michele Ragussis is an American chef, born on November 26, 1969, in Derby, Connecticut. She is well-known for being a finalist on the eighth season of the popular Food Network show Food Network Star. She specializes in New England-style seafood dishes.
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Michele Ragussis: A Chef's Journey
Michele Ragussis has appeared on several cooking shows on the Food Network. These appearances helped her become a recognized name in the culinary world. She has shown her skills in different cooking challenges.
Early TV Appearances
In 2010, Chef Ragussis was a contestant on the TV show Chopped. On this show, chefs must create dishes using mystery ingredients. She was eliminated after the main course round.
In 2011, she won an episode of 24 Hour Restaurant Battle. She teamed up with her partner, Davina Thomasula, for this competition. Their idea for a restaurant, called Avery Point, did not open. At that time, Ragussis and Thomasula owned a catering business named Stuft Catering in Brooklyn, New York.
Becoming a Food Network Star
In 2012, Michele Ragussis joined the eighth season of Food Network Star. This show searches for the next big TV chef. She made it to the final four contestants. As part of the show, she filmed a pilot episode for her own potential series. It was going to be called My New England. However, she did not win the competition. The winner that season was Justin Warner.
In March 2016, it was announced that Ragussis would return to the Food Network. She appeared on a spin-off show called Comeback Kitchen. This show gave past contestants another chance to compete. The winner of Comeback Kitchen could re-enter the main Food Network Star competition for its twelfth season. Comeback Kitchen first aired on May 8, 2016. Michele Ragussis was eliminated from this competition on May 22, 2016.
Chef Ragussis's Life and Career
Michele Ragussis was born into a family with Italian and Greek heritage. She grew up in Derby, Connecticut. Later, she moved to Bristol, Rhode Island, to attend college. After finishing college, she moved to Brooklyn, New York. She has two sisters. At one point, she lived in Rockland, Maine.
Currently, Michele Ragussis works as the Executive Chef at Central House at The Crown. This restaurant is located in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on Commercial Street. She continues to share her passion for cooking.
