Kelsey Barnard Clark is a born and raised Gulf Southerner from Dothan, Alabama. She has developed an impressive resume as the fifth woman and first southerner to win the title of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” the sole fan favorite following her season 16 win, and a 2024 James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: South. She frequently appears on hit Food Network shows including “Tournament of Champions,” “Chopped,” “Bobby’s Triple Threat,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and more.

Kelsey got her start in the food industry working for a high-end caterer and catered her first solo wedding at age 15. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, she worked savory & pastry in several Michelin-star restaurants in New York City, including Café Boulud under Gavin Kaysen, and Dovetail under John Fraser. Her signature southern-French cuisine is inspired by family recipes and classic French techniques. In 2012 Kelsey moved back home to open her catering company, Kelsey Barnard Catering. Today, she runs her catering company and restaurant, KBC, in historic downtown Dothan while also teaching virtual classes, taking her chef talents on the road, and appearing and cooking at events as often as possible. In August 2021, her debut cookbook “Southern Grit” hit shelves. 

In addition to being known for her skills in the kitchen, Kelsey is also an avid gardener, is passionate about all things interior design, and is a devoted wife, and mom to two young children - Monroe and Evelyn June - and their two dogs, 15 chickens and 1 cat.  When not running her namesake restaurant, she can be found tending to her backyard garden and chicken coup; arranging flowers for her home and restaurant; crabbing and boating from their beach bungalow; cooking at home with her kids and husband; or laying out a spread for friends and family in her restored 1940’s Dothan home. Kelsey loves to play host, no matter what the occasion, and recently signed a two-book deal with Chronicle pegged to entertaining, due out in 2024.  

Kelsey shares her passion for cooking, teaching, and hospitality on her instagram @kelseybarnardclark (95K followers).