Local chef Tucker Ricchio was an emerging talent in the San Francisco restaurant scene, working in Michelin-starred kitchens like Acquerello, before the pandemic hit. After widespread closures left her without work, she pivoted to teaching cooking courses online with startup Truffle Shuffle.

The more classes she taught, the more her reputation grew – leading to her eventual casting on season two of Gordon Ramsay’s “Next Level Chef” on Fox.

In a span of five weeks and 15 episodes, all filmed in Las Vegas, Ricchio competed against, and beat, 17 other chefs to win a $250,000 prize and a year of mentorship under Ramsay and co-hosts – chefs Nyesha Arrington and Richard Blais. Now, she’s returned home to San Francisco with increased experience and contacts, and eager to get cooking for clients.