Background
Blais was born in Uniondale, New New York
Blais was born in Uniondale, New New York
He received an AOS in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America and has studied under acclaimed chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Ferran Adrià.
He is perhaps most recognizable for his involvement in the reality cooking show Top Chef, and is known for his innovative take on classic American cuisine. He is the host of the Food Network series, Hungry Games. A native New Yorker, Blais relocated to Atlanta in 2000 where he founded Trail Blais, a creative culinary company that has consulted on, designed and operates some of Atlanta’s most popular eateries including FLIP Burger Boutique which now has numerous locations in Atlanta, Nashville, and Alabama.
In February 2013, he released his debut cookbook, Try This at Home: Recipes From My Head to Your Plate, which reveals a simplified approach to adventurous cooking and offers new flavor combinations for home cooks to reinvent classic dishes.
Most recently, Blais opened Juniper & Ivy in San Diego, California, his first West Coast venture. Top Chef
Blais appeared as a contestant on the fourth season of Bravo"s Top Chef.
Blais went on to become the runner-up, losing to Stephanie Izard. In 2010, he competed in Top Chef: All-Stars.
He appeared as a main judge on Top Chef Boston (season 12) in 2014-2015.
Other television appearances
Blais has appeared several times on the show Iron Chef America, and several times as a sous chef for Iron Chef Cat Cora. He is a regular on the Food Network, with continuous appearances on "Guy"s Grocery Games" as a judge. Blais has also hosted shows on Food Network, first "Hungry Games" and then "Halloween Baking Championship." Blais appeared on the 2nd Cutthroat Kitchen Superstar Sabotage tournament on November 4, winning his preliminary match and advancing to the finals.
Restaurants
Blais runs four restaurants:
FLIP Burger Boutique - A burger-focused restaurant with three locations in Atlanta, one in Birmingham, and a brand new location in Nashville, Tennessee.
Juniper & Ivy - An American restaurant that opened in San Diego in March 3, 2014. At Juniper & Ivy, Blais offers refined, American cuisine with a "left coast edge."
The Crack Shack - Blais partnered with chef Jon Sloan on this second San Diego-based restaurant, which opened in late 2015.
The restaurant, "serves breakfast, lunch and dinner via an all-day menu that revolves around chicken and eggs, from fried to grilled and everything in-between."
In November 2011, Blais ran the International Netherlands Group New York City marathon for Alliance for a Healthier Generation. lieutenant was his first marathon, and he completed it in 4:31:54.He has since run two other New York City marathons.