Top Chef Season 12 Cast Includes FoodE Co-Owner

Bravo’s Top Chef is returning for a 12th season and the cast of contestants was announced Wednesday.

Among them: Joy Crump, executive chef and co-owner of the popular Fredericksburg restaurant Foodé.

See the full list of contestants for Top Chef Season 12 at BravoTV.com.

A message at the Foodé Facebook page reads: “Here’s a new fall drinking game: see how many times Joy can squeeze in the word “Fredericksburg” on national TV. Thanks for all your support over the years, Fredericksburg! The only reason we’re here is because of you.”

Top Chef Season 12 premieres at 10 p.m. Oct. 15.

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From Crump’s bio at BravoTV.com:

Joy Crump began her culinary career in Los Angeles where she worked as contract caterer for the president of Capitol Records and hosted large-scale functions for musicians and executives. While in Los Angeles, she also worked on private events for Warner Bros. Television and served as private chef for actors and executives on Warner’s television series and feature films. In 2005, Joy moved cross-country to Atlanta, Georgia where she enrolled at the Art Institute of Atlanta. While earning her degree, she studied under Chef Bradley Rouse, head chef for the Atlanta Hawks, and worked to develop specialized menus for NBA athletes and their families. Following graduation, Joy began an apprenticeship at Woodfire Grill under Chef Michael Tuohy -- an industry pioneer credited with bringing organic farm-to-table culinary practices to the Atlanta restaurant scene. During her tenure, Joy grew her skills in meat curing, butchery, fruit preservation, sauce-making and wine-pairing. When the Woodfire Grill’s ownership was turned over to Chef Kevin Gillespie in 2008 (Top Chef Season 6), Joy continued to work on his team for two years. In 2008, Joy founded FOODĒ as a home-based private event and catering company in Atlanta. In 2010, FOODĒ grew to a physical location on Caroline Street in Historic Downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia.