Tiffani Faison Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Restaurants, Height, Weight, TV Shows

Tiffani Faison is an American chef and restaurateur who first gained national attention as the runner-up on Bravo’s inaugural season of Top Chef.

Her bold flavors and candid on-screen presence endeared her to viewers, and she parlayed that visibility into a thriving restaurant group, Big Heart Hospitality, which operates acclaimed Boston venues like Sweet Cheeks Q and Fool’s Errand.

Alongside her restaurant ventures, she has become a familiar judge on Food Network’s Chopped and a two-time competitor and champion on Tournament of Champions.

Profile

• Full name: Tiffani Faison
• Date of birth: 20 August 1977
• Age: 48 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Bremerhaven, Germany
• State of origin: California (settled in Santa Rosa, California during high school)
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef; restaurateur; television personality
• Height: 5′7″ (170 cm)
• Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
• Eye color: Dark brown
• Hair color: Blonde
• Parents: Her father was a U.S. military serviceman who later struggled with alcoholism, and her parents divorced during her high school years
• Siblings: One half-brother on her father’s side
• Spouse: Kelly Walsh (divorced 2020)
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Divorced
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: White
• Net worth: US $1.9 million

Early Life and education

Tiffani Faison (48 years old) was born on 20 August 1977 in Bremerhaven, Germany, where her American parents were stationed with the U.S. military. The family moved frequently before settling in Santa Rosa, California, by the time she attended high school.

After graduating, she enrolled at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, completing its intensive program in 2003 before moving to New York City to begin her professional culinary career.

Personal Life

Tiffani Faison was married to Kelly Walsh until their divorce in 2020. She formerly identified as bisexual and, as of 2019, publicly identifies as lesbian.

She maintains a relatively private life outside her culinary and television pursuits.

Career

After culinary school, Tiffani Faison honed her skills under Daniel Boulud at the Michelin-starred restaurant in Wynn Las Vegas and at Tao Asian Bistro in The Venetian. In 2006, she competed on Season 1 of Top Chef, finishing second.

She then served as executive chef at Rocca Kitchen & Bar in Boston until 2010.

In late 2011, Faison opened Sweet Cheeks Q, a Texas-style barbecue spot in Boston’s Fenway District, winning praise for its brisket and biscuits. She went on to launch Tiger Mama (2015–2021), Fool’s Errand (2018–present), and a cluster of concepts inside High Street Place: Bubble Bath, Tenderoni’s, and Dive Bar (all 2022–present).

On television, she is a recurring judge on Chopped and was the winner of Food Network’s Tournament of Champions Season 3 in 2022, after placing runner-up on Season 1.

She has guest-judged on Rachael Ray and The TODAY Show and is often featured on Good Morning America.

Awards

• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2018)
• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2019)
• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2020)
• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2022)
• Boston Magazine, Best Chef: Boston (2016)

Net worth

Tiffani Faison’s net worth is estimated at approximately US $1.9 million, derived from earnings as a chef and restaurateur, television appearances, and her restaurant group Big Heart Hospitality.

Controversy

In June 2023, investor Robert Weintraub filed a lawsuit alleging Faison misused COVID-era relief funds and breached fiduciary duties at her Fenway restaurants; Faison has denied the claims.

Social Media

• Instagram: @cheftiffani
• Twitter (X): @tiffanifaison

Filmography

• Beachside Brawl (2022)
• Tournament of Champions (2020)
• Hitch (cameo appearance) (2005)

Books

• SHARE – Delicious and Surprising Recipes to Pass Around Your Table (2017)