Eric Adjepong
Quick Facts
Biography
Eric Adjepong is an American chef, television personality, and author. He was a finalist on the television series Top Chef: Kentucky season 16. He has appeared on multiple Food Network television shows, including as host of Alex vs. America.
Early life and education
Eric Adjepong was born and raised in the Bronx neighborhood in New York City and is of Ghanian-descent. He was the first member of his family to be born outside of Ghana, his parents immigrated to the United States in the 1980s.
He has a degree in culinary arts and nutrition from Johnson & Wales University, and a master’s of public health degree in international public health nutrition from the University of Westminster.
Adjepong is married to Janell Mack since 2016, and together they have a daughter.
Career
Adjepong's culinary interest are in the American South, West African, Caribbean, and South American cuisines. He co-owns with his wife Janell, "Pinch and Plate" in Washington, D.C., a catering company which also hosts pop-up meals.
In 2018, Adjepong made it to the Top Chef: Kentucky finale, where he competed against two other chefs: Kelsey Barnard Clark of Alabama, and Sara Bradley of Kentucky. He ambitiously announced his meal for the series finale would, “tell the story of the transatlantic slave trade and how those flavors migrated to the South”, which highlighted both underrepresented cuisine and history.
After becoming a finalist on season 16 of Top Chef: Kentucky, Adjepong competed on season 17 of Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. and several other Food Network shows, like Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions. He has been a food competition judge on the television series, the Great Soul Food Cook-Off, Supermarket Stakeout, Guy's Grocery Games, and Chopped.
In 2020, he had plans to open a counter service restaurant called "On the Double" in the Union Market food hall, however it was greatly delayed.
Since January 2022, Adjepong is the host of Alex vs. America, a Food Network show on its third season starring chef Alex Guarnaschelli competing against a series of guest chefs with a focus on a single culinary genre.
Publications
- Adjepong, Eric (2023). Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging. Lala Watkins (illustrator). Penguin. ISBN 9780593661727.