Stephanie Cmar facts for kids

Stephanie Cmar is an American private chef and television personality best known for competing on three seasons of Top Chef. Cmar was a finalist in Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.

Early life and education

Cmar's first restaurant job was at age 15 at the Muffin Shop in Marblehead, Massachusetts. In 2007, she graduated Johnson & Wales University.

Career

Cmar has worked at several restaurants including B&G Oysters, Stir, and at Barbara Lynch’s flagship restaurant, No.9 Park, as a sous-chef. Cmar left No.9 Park in 2014 to operate the pop-up donut shop, Stacked Donuts. Cmar and Justin Burke-Samson operated a catering company and pop-up called Party of Two. Party of Two toured the US in 2014. In 2015, Cmar became the executive chef at Fairsted Kitchen in Boston. June 2015 to February 2016, Cmar was the executive chef of Fairsted Kitchen in Boston. Cmar Left Fairsted to return to being a private chef.

Cmar originally participated in the qualifying rounds on the first episode of Top Chef: Seattle, alongside her close friend from culinary school Kristen Kish, who ultimately won the season. Cmar was not chosen to move on into the competition proper. Cmar was invited back to compete in Top Chef: New Orleans and placed seventh after a controversial elimination in which the worst-performing chef of the challenge was unable to be eliminated due to his immunity. Cmar was invited to return again for Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. and was often described as the underdog of the season. Cmar advanced to the finals in All-Stars L.A., but ultimately lost to Melissa King. She served as a guest judge on Top Chef Amateurs and culinary producer for Top Chef: World All-Stars.

In 2020, Cmar launched a mini online cooking show on her Instagram called, "My ... Little Kitchen", produced by Brian Pu Ruiz.

Personal life

Cmar has two brothers, Colton and Wyatt. In 2018, Cmar's brother Colton died. In December 2020, Cmar and her husband, David Cavilla, moved from Boston to Maine.