Amanda Freitag Biography: Age, Net Worth, Height, Restaurants, Chopped, Career, Awards, Books

Amanda Freitag is an American chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality who gained widespread recognition as a longtime judge on Food Network’s Chopped and as the revitalizing executive chef of Manhattan’s iconic Empire Diner.

Raised in New Jersey and schooled at the Culinary Institute of America, her mastery of seasonal, accessible cooking and her warm, constructive critiques have made her a trusted voice for home cooks and professionals alike.

Profile

• Full name: Amanda Freitag
• Date of birth: May 11, 1970
• Age: 55 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Cedar Grove, New Jersey, U.S.
• State of origin: New Jersey
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef, restaurateur, author, television personality
• Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
• Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
• Eye color: Dark brown
• Hair color: Light brown
• Parents: Kathleen and Paul Freitag
• Siblings: Two brothers, Justin and Jason Freitag
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: White
• Net worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Amanda Freitag (55 years old) was born on May 11, 1970 in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.

She grew up in a tight-knit family as one of three children, alongside her two brothers, Justin and Jason Freitag.

Her parents, Kathleen and Paul Freitag, supported her culinary interests from a young age.

Encouraged by her high school home economics teacher, Joan Levine, Freitag applied to and attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York, graduating in 1989.

Personal Life

Amanda Freitag has chosen to keep details of her personal relationships and family life out of the public eye; no spouse or children have been publicly disclosed.

She practices Christianity.

Career

Following her CIA graduation, Amanda Freitag worked at Vong (1989–1994) under Jean-Georges Vongerichten, then at Verbena before a stint at L’Arpège in Paris under Alain Passard in 1999.

In 2003, she co-opened Cesca Enoteca & Trattoria, later led The Harrison until 2010, reimagined the Empire Diner (2014–2015), and in 2020 launched Rise & Thyme in Dallas.

On television, she has judged Chopped since 2009, competed on Iron Chef America and The Next Iron Chef, co-hosted American Diner Revival (2015–2016), and placed second on Tournament of Champions in 2020.

Net Worth

Amanda Freitag’s estimated net worth is around $5 million, derived from her restaurant ventures, television work, and book sales.

Social Media

• Instagram: @chefamandaf
• Twitter/X: @amandafreitag

Filmography

• Chopped (judge)
• Iron Chef America (contestant/judge)
• The Next Iron Chef (contestant)
• Unique Eats (guest)
• American Diner Revival (co-host)
• Tournament of Champions (competitor)
• Guy’s Grocery Games (guest judge)

Publications

• Amanda Freitag & Carrie King, The Chef Next Door: A Pro Chef’s Recipes for Fun, Fearless Home Cooking (William Morrow, 2016)