Who won Top Chef season 6 (and where are they now)?

There’s just something about reality TV that’s so fun to watch! And when you add in a competitive element, plus cooking – well that definitely equals the perfect viewing recipe in my book. Pun intended! One series you definitely need to check out if you’re a fan of the genre like me is Top Chef.  With season 6 streaming on Netflix, you might be asking, who won Top Chef season 6?

The sixth season was definitely an interesting and nail-biting one, because the three finalists that year all brought their A-game. And at the end, the two who went head-to-head for the title were brothers! It came down to Bryan Voltaggio and Michael Voltaggio. But there can only be one person who takes the prize. Who was it? Michael Voltaggio won Top Chef season 6!

The season, which filmed in Las Vegas, originally premiered on Bravo in 2009, but is now streaming on Netflix. And believe me, it’s definitely worth watching! That means Michael’s brother Bryan came in second place, and Kevin Gillespie rounded out the final three. Gillespie was actually voted Fan Favorite of the season. But the one who earned the title and took home $125,000 is Michael. And I definitely think he deserved it!

What is Michael Voltaggio doing now?

At the time of Top Chef season 6, Michael was 30 years old and lived in Pasadena, California. He’s originally from Frederick, Maryland. The former Top Chef contestant previously worked as the Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room in Pasadena, as well as opened his own restaurant Ink in 2011. Though it was a pretty successful place, he surprisingly shut it down and opened a smaller and more “relaxed” spot nearby, per Robb Report. But then that sandwich shop closed in April 2018.

Though he and his brother Bryan competed on Top Chef season 6, they’ve since come together to open up some successful restaurants! According to Robb Report, those include Voltaggio Brothers Steak House in Maryland and Vulcania at Mammoth Mountain in California. Now, the sizzling siblings also have Retro by Voltaggio at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas! That’s definitely a spot I’m adding to my list when I visit Sin City.

Michael has two daughters with his ex-wife Kerri Adams. Olivia and Sophia live with their mother in West Virginia. In November 2022, the chef married actress Bria Vinaite. Be sure to give the chef a follow on Instagram at @mvoltaggio! On Dec. 5, 2023, don’t miss seeing Michael serving as a judge on Chopped on The Food Network. The episode, titled “Julia Child’s Kitchen: Part 4” airs at 8 p.m. ET.

All 15 episodes of Top Chef season 6 are streaming on Netflix.