Kelsey Barnard Clark is a chef, entrepreneur, lifestyle tastemaker, and co-star of Netflix’s newest culinary competition, Next Gen Chef.  Her Modern Southern voice is redefining what it means to gather with purpose and style. Born and raised in Dothan, Alabama, Kelsey blends her culinary expertise, love of design, passion for hospitality, and deep Southern roots into a brand that’s as inspiring as it is approachable.

She rose to national recognition as the first Southerner and fifth woman to win Bravo’s Top Chef, where she was also named the season’s sole fan favorite. In 2024, she was nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Chef: South and continues to appear regularly on Food Network hits like Tournament of Champions, Chopped, Bobby’s Triple Threat, and Guy’s Grocery Games.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America and honing her skills at Michelin-starred kitchens in New York—including Café Boulud under Gavin Kaysen and Dovetail under John Fraser—Kelsey returned home in 2012 to launch Kelsey Barnard Catering and open her restaurant KBC in downtown Dothan. Her signature Southern-French cuisine, inspired by heirloom family recipes and classical technique, remains at the heart of everything she does.

But Kelsey’s talents extend far beyond the kitchen. She’s a devoted gardener, floral designer, home entertainer, and self-taught interior stylist, known for her innate ability to make everyday moments beautiful and meaningful. Whether she’s setting a table, harvesting vegetables from her backyard, or arranging flowers for her restaurant and home, Kelsey inspires others to live well and gather often.

Her passion for community and connection runs deep: Kelsey is a dedicated mentor and advocate for underrepresented voices in the hospitality industry and proudly hires and supports formerly incarcerated individuals as part of her commitment to second chances and equitable opportunity.

She is the author of two cookbooks—Southern Grit (2021) and Southern Get-Togethers (2024)—and a third, Flavor of Fire, due to hit bookshelves in the Spring of 2026.

When she’s not running her business, Kelsey may be found running after her two young children, Monroe and Evelyn June—along with their two dogs, a cat, and 15 chickens—often hosting friends, cooking barefoot in her kitchen, or throwing an impromptu party in their lovingly restored 1940s home.

Kelsey shares her world—equal parts food, family, florals, and fun—on Instagram at @kelseybarnardclark.