Amanda Freitag’s net worth, husband, personal life – Biography

• Brief information
• Early life, family, formation
• Career
• Private life
• Hobbies, favorite things and interesting facts
• Appearance
• Net Worth and Salary
• General informations
• Family
• Achievements
• Social profile links
• Facts
• Movies



Known for movies

Chopped (2009-2017)
as herself – judge / herself / executive chef / chef

Let’s Eat Unique (2010-2013)
as herself – Chef and TV personality / Herself

American Diner revival (2015–2016)
as herself – co-hostess

The Next Iron Chef (2009-2012)
as Herself – Contestant



Early life, family, formation

Amanda Freitag was born on May 11, 1972, in New Jersey, USA, to Paul and Kathleen Freitag; and she has two brothers, Jason and Justin. Paul and Kathleen were always very busy, so Amanda and her brothers either had to eat reheated pre-prepared frozen food or cook themselves. This is where Amanda’s passion for food and cooking began, eventually becoming a renowned chef and television celebrity.

Amanda enrolled in 1987 at Cedar Grove High School (then known as Memorial High School). While still in school, her home economics teacher, Joan Levine, advised Amanda to study at the Culinary Institute of America; from which Amanda graduated in 1989.

Career

Amanda then worked under the direction of Jean-Georges Vongerichten as Vong’s rotisserie and pantry, in New York. Jean-Georges taught Amanda how to combine Southeast Asian ingredients and flavors with French techniques.

In 1994 Amanda left Vong to cook under Diane Forley at Verbena and soon became the restaurant’s head chef. From Diane, Amanda learned the importance of cooking with organic ingredients, she also introduced Amanda to the Union Square Green Market. In 1999, Amanda decided to travel the world, primarily Italy and France, to learn more about the culinary industry by visiting restaurants and exploring markets.

Amanda worked under Chef Alain Passard at L’Arpège, in 1999 – there is no food overnight, this further fueled Amanda’s love for fresh ingredients, this also sparked his love of Mediterranean dishes.

In 2003, with restaurateur Godfrey Polistina, Amanda opened Cesca Enoteca & Trattoria on the Upper West Side, New York, but she has also worked in some of the most elite restaurants, including working alongside Tom Valenti at Cesca in as a chef – The New York Times gave Amanda two stars for her cooking. At Gusto in the West Village, Amanda was their executive chef, for which she received both praise and criticism for her work.

In late 2007, Jimmy Bradley was looking for a new chef and Amanda was looking for an opportunity to express her versatility in her cooking, so Jimmy hired Amanda to be the Harrison’s new chef. The two chefs shared an interest in simple yet daring cooking. Since Amanda joined The Harrison, the restaurant has received numerous accolades, both locally and nationally; these include being featured in “Time Out New York” and “Forbes Life” magazines, as well as receiving a two-star rating from the “New York Times.”

On October 16, 2009, Amanda was a guest on “The Martha Stewart Show”, on which she featured her recipes for Yogurt Panna Cotta and Celeriac Root Ginger Apple Soup.

On September 3, 2010, “The New York Times” reported that Amanda would leave The Harrison and owner Jimmy Bradley would return as chef. On the second season of “Iron Chef America”, in the episode “Battle: King Crab”, Amanda faced Bobby Flay who won with a score of 50 – Amanda only lost by one point in the category “taste”. Amanda continued to judge on “Chopped”.

On April 15, 2012, Amanda appeared on season four’s “Iron Chef American” in an episode called “Against the Tide”, alongside a “Chopped” champion, Madison Cowman. In “Battle: Kale”, Amanda served as Madison’s sous chef in the episode. On August 7, 2012, it was announced that Amanda would return as a contestant, in season five of “The Next Iron Chef”. In the December 23 final, Amanda lost to Alexandra Guarnaschelli.

In 2014, Amanda was named Executive Chef of the reopened Empire Diner restaurant, in Manhattan, New York. The restaurant was originally built in the mid-1940s and has become an artist’s nexus and a staple in the city.

The restaurant had closed in 2010, with another restaurant, The Highlander, opening in the same space later that year, however, it was unfortunately not popular and was soon forced to close. Amanda decided to reopen the Empire Diner restaurant in January 2014, but ended up leaving her position in July 2015.

In 2015, Amanda appeared on “Iron Chef America Countdown”, “Unique Eats” and even launched her own show, “The Kitchen”. On May 22, 2015, Amanda and Ty Pennington began co-hosting the Food Network’s “American Diner Revival,” which follows Ty and Amanda redesigning diners’ menus and interiors.

On September 29, 2015, Amanda released her first cookbook, “The Chef Next Door: a Pro Chefs Recipes for Fun, Fearless Home Cooking”.

Private life

Amanda’s love of food began at a young age and her cooking was praised and supported by her parents, grandparents and high school economics teacher. It is assumed that Amanda is close to her grandmother, Margaret Grazioli, as she posted a photo of her on Instagram on Women’s Day.

The exact timeline of their relationship is unknown, but Amanda was involved with an ultrasound technician named Raphael, for six years.

On August 28, 2012, Amanda tweeted a birthday wish and dedicated it to her husband. The unidentified user she mentioned liked her as his wife. In June 2015, Amanda posted a heart in LGBT+ colors on her Instagram. This raised suspicions – is she part of the LGBT+ community or an ally? Sources say she is not and has never been married.

Hobbies, favorite things and interesting facts

As a child, Amanda did not only like to cook, but also to eat. She was considered chubby as a child, but later lost weight and got the slim figure she still has today. Amanda always finds comfort in food, especially junk food like burgers and pasta.

I’m so ready to go back to the #Chopped studio and start shooting new episodes! Familiar faces. New baskets. A lot of pleasure. Are you excited?! #tbt @Food Network pic.twitter.com/Abc5wbzjhH

— Amanda Friday (@amandafriday) January 10, 2020

Unlike most chefs, Amanda hates certain foods that are generally considered delicacies, including monkfish liver and sea urchin. Amanda is rumored to be close with her nieces, Lizzie and Meagan, as she once said in an interview that they are her favorite people to cook with.

Appearance

Amanda has dark blonde hair and brown eyes and is of North American descent. She is 1.8m (5ft 10in) tall and has a slim figure.

Net Worth and Salary

Amanda’s net worth is estimated to be over $3 million at the start of 2020, and her income is around $1 million per year. Amanda makes her money from her many hit shows and her cookbooks and recipes.

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia