Chef Manda Palomino Talks Celiac Disease, Her Gluten-Free Bakeries & Being An All Star | FOX HELL'S KITCHEN ALL STARS
What's cooler than being on FOX's HELL'S KITCHEN once? Being on it, twice... but as an All Star! I met with the very sweet, insanely passionate and talented Chef Manda Palomino the other day to talk more about her exciting venture this fall: She's on Season 17 of FOX's HELL'S KITCHEN! She previously was on the show on Season 15 and took 5th place!
For the first time ever, 16 returning All Stars are willing again to face host, executive producer and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay on the Season 17 premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN airing Friday, Sept. 29 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The last contestant to withstand the pressure of HELL’S KITCHEN will claim the grand prize – a Head Chef position at the world’s first Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant at Caesars Palace Las Vegas and $250,000.
We chatted about her experience on HELL'S KITCHEN, how she manages to stay level-headed in a hellishly competitive environment, her thoughts on being considered an All Star, and her lifelong journey with Celiac Disease and how it effects her cooking and performance on the show.
Manda, a fellow Jersey girl now lives in San Diego and manages both locations of 2GOOD2BE Bakery & Cafe (a destination for all yummy and super legit gluten/soy/corn-free food and treats) in Rancho Bernardo and Encinitas. She gave me a tour and let me try one of the bakery's delicious dairy-free muffins, explaining why this cafe in particular is a total safe haven for good, real food that will never harm your body... I was sold, especially after trying the muffin - it was gone in 5 minutes!
Be sure to check out our videos to get a glimpse into the life of All Star Chef Manda Palomino, and don't forget to tune in every week for this incredible new season! As they say.... if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!
