Tiffani Faison

Faison attended the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts (2002 to 2003).{{Cite web |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-06-Mon-2006/living/6140880.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2007-02-12 |archive-date=2007-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930222620/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-06-Mon-2006/living/6140880.html |url-status=dead }} Just prior to appearing on Top Chef, Faison was employed as chef de partie under Daniel Boulud at his signature, Michelin Star restaurant in the Wynn Las Vegas and also worked at Tao Asian Bistro at The Venetian in the same city.

After the airing of the final episode of Top Chef in May 2006, Faison took a summer position cooking at the Straight Wharf restaurant in Nantucket, Massachusetts, working under chefs Amanda Lydon and Gabriel Frasca.{{Cite news |last1=Beggy |first1=Carol |last2=Shanahan |first2=Mark |date=June 19, 2006 |title=Veterans are Kerrys' guests on Nantucket |newspaper=The Boston Globe |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/06/19/veterans_are_kerrys_guests_on_nantucket/ |accessdate=27 January 2022}} In 2007, she was executive chef at Todd English’s brasserie, Riche, in New Orleans, Louisiana.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jamesbeard.org/events/2007/02/006.shtml |title=The James Beard Foundation Events: February 2007 |access-date=2007-02-12 |archive-date=2007-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302212526/http://www.jamesbeard.org/events/2007/02/006.shtml |url-status=dead }} In May 2007, Faison cohosted a Greek Isles culinary cruise for Olivia, a lesbian lifestyle and travel services company.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hotelstravel.com/news/20070126-002.html |title=Daily Travel News |access-date=2007-01-28 |archive-date=2007-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928140924/http://www.hotelstravel.com/news/20070126-002.html |url-status=dead }} Faison returned to Boston, and was Executive Chef at Michela Larson’s Rocca Kitchen & Bar, a popular neighborhood space on Friday nights, until it closed in December 2010.{{Cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2010/07/28/a_star_is_born____at_rocca/|title=A star is born . . . at Rocca|first=Devra|last=First|date=28 July 2010|accessdate=27 January 2022|newspaper=The Boston Globe}}{{Cite web |last=First |first=Devra |date=January 2, 2011 |title=Rocca has closed |url=http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/dishing/2011/01/rocca_has_close.html |website=Boston.com |accessdate=27 January 2022}}

Faison first rose to culinary fame when she placed runner-up in the first Season of Top Chef.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/food/pictures/top-chef-winners-where-are-they-now/|title='Top Chef' Winners: Where Are They Now?|website=Usmagazine.com|date=2 July 2021|accessdate=27 January 2022}} She then took part in a single episode cooking competition called 4 Star All Stars which pitted four Top Chef season one contestants (Stephen Asprinio, Dieterle, Faison and David Martin) against four season two contestants (Elia Aboumrad, Ilan Hall, Sam Talbot and Marcel Vigneron). Faison's team scored the winning menu and received a $20,000 donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure charity. This episode aired on Bravo on June 6, 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/index.php|title=Top Chef official website|website=Bravotv.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}}

Faison also participated in the Top Chef Holiday Special that aired on December 7, 2007, winning the $20,000 prize. Faison returned as a contestant on season 8 of Top Chef and was eliminated in the sixth episode. Faison finished runner-up in the Top Chef Duels 2014 competition.{{cite web | last = Duffy | first = Paula | title=Top Chef Duels: Surprise Winner Crowned in Finale|url=http://tvruckus.com/2014/10/09/top-chef-duels-surprise-winner-crowned-in-finale/| date=2014-10-09}} As of 2020, Faison is a judge on Chopped and participated as the judge to beat on one of the beat the judge episodes. She also made it to the finals of Chopped: Grudge Match, placing second to Marcus Samuelsson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/chopped/episodes/grudge-match-battle-2|title=Grudge Match: Battle 2|website=Foodnetwork.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}}

File:Sweet Cheeks Q.jpg

In 2021, Faison competed in Food Network's Tournament of Champions,{{Cite web|url=https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/tournament-of-champions/photos/meet-the-chefs-tournament-of-champions-season-2|title = Meet the Chefs Competing in Season 2 of Guy Fieri's Tournament of Champions|website=Foodnetwork.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Food-Network-Announces-TOURNAMENT-OF-CHAMPIONS-III-Premiere-20220118|title=Food Network Announces TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS III Premiere|first=Michael|last=Major|website=BroadwayWorld.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}} and in 2022, Faison returned to compete and win Tournament of Champions, Season 3,{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/guy-fieri-tournament-of-champions-renewed-season-3-food-network-1234914425/|title=Guy Fieri's 'Tournament Of Champions' Renewed For Season 3 At Food Network|first=Alexandra Del|last=Rosario|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=18 January 2022|access-date=27 January 2022}} as well as serve as a judge on Chopped: Casino Royale.{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16914428/|title="Chopped" Casino Royals: Battle 1 (TV Episode 2022) |accessdate=27 January 2022|website=IMDb.com}} Tiffani Faison won Tournament of Champions 3, defeating Brooke Williamson in the finale.

Faison has also been a culinary guest on such national television shows as NBC TODAY,{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/food/wings-3-ways-masala-maple-black-pepper-orange-sesame-t245318|title=Step up your wing game with masala, maple and orange-sesame glazes|website=Today.com|date=21 January 2022 |accessdate=27 January 2022}} [https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-dish-chef-tiffani-faison-of-sweet-cheeks CBS: This Morning] {{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/the-dish-chef-tiffani-faison-of-sweet-cheeks/|title=The Dish: Chef Tiffani Faison of Sweet Cheeks|accessdate=27 January 2022|website=Cbsnews.com}} and America's Test Kitchen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/americastestkitchen/videos/506931669874643/|title=The Best Pasta Tools for Homemade Pasta with Chef Tiffani Faison|accessdate=27 January 2022|website=Facebook.com}}

Faison is currently the owner and head chef of Sweet Cheeks Q, a Texas-style barbecue restaurant in Boston's Fenway District. Opened in late 2011, Sweet Cheeks Q was her first restaurant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sweetcheeksq.com/|title=Sweet Cheeks|website=Sweetcheeksq.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}} Sweet Cheeks Q has been named as Boston's Best Barbecue by local and national media,{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/greatamericanbites/2016/12/15/sweet-cheeks-q-boston/95423266/|title=Great American Bites: Boston's best barbecue|website=USA TODAY|accessdate=27 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/best-of-boston-archive/2017/sweet-cheeks-6/|title=Sweet Cheeks, Best Barbecue Restaurant, in Bosto|website=Bostonmagazine.comn|date=23 June 2017 |accessdate=27 January 2022}} and Forbes wrote that its "biscuits were the best in the world."{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/03/21/the-worlds-best-biscuits-in-boston/|title=The World's Best Biscuits! In Boston?|first=Larry|last=Olmsted|website=Forbes.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}}

In December 2015, she opened her acclaimed restaurant, Tiger Mama in Fenway, focusing on Southeast Asian cuisine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tigermamaboston.com/|title=Your Site Title|website=Tigermamaboston.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}} Faison closed Tiger Mama in late October 2021 to focus on a new restaurant located in the same space in Fenway.{{Cite news|url=https://boston.eater.com/2021/10/25/22744828/tiger-mama-closing-fenway-october-2021-tiffani-faison|title=Tiffani Faison's Tiger Mama Will Close at the End of October|work=Eater Boston|access-date=2021-11-08}} Tenderoni's, a pizza parlor concept, opened there in November 2022.{{cite news |last1=Laucharoen |first1=Shira |title=Tiffani Faison to open a new Tenderoni's in former Tiger Mama space |url=https://www.boston.com/community/food/tiffani-faison-to-open-a-new-tenderonis-in-fenway/ |access-date=19 October 2022 |publisher=Boston.com |date=October 13, 2022}} It was shuttered permanently in June 2024.{{cite news |last1=Umholtz |first1=Katelyn |title=Tiffani Faison’s Fenway pizza parlor, Tenderoni’s, has closed|url=https://www.boston.com/food/restaurants/2024/06/04/tiffani-faison-fenway-pizza-tenderonis-closed/|access-date=19 November 2024 |publisher=Boston.com |date=June 4, 2024}}

In February 2018, Faison opened up her third Fenway restaurant, the "Adult Snack Bar" Fool's Errand.{{Cite news|url=https://boston.eater.com/2018/8/15/17692154/fools-errand-tiffani-faison-opening-gallery|title=Tiffani Faison's New Fenway 'Adult Snack Bar' Serves Small Bites to a Standing Crowd|work=Eater Boston|access-date=2018-11-13}} Her venture Orfano, which serves Italian-American cuisine, opened in August 2019 and received a three star review from The Boston Globe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2019/08/26/orfano-menu-open-fenway/|title=Check Out Tiffani Faison's New Menu at Orfano, Now Open in the Fenway|website=Bostonmagazine.com|date=26 August 2019 |accessdate=27 January 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/18/lifestyle/sauce-sensibility-orfano/|title=A red-sauce shrine to the matron saints - The Boston Globe|website=BostonGlobe.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}} It later closed in June 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://boston.eater.com/2022/7/1/23191109/orfano-italian-restaurant-closes-fenway-tiffani-faison-june-2022|title=Orfano, Tiffani Faison's Upscale Red-Sauce Spot, Closes in Fenway|work=Eater Boston|access-date=July 1, 2022}} In 2022, Faison opened Tenderoni's, Dive Bar, and Bubble Bath within High Street Place, a new food hall in Downtown Boston.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/food/restaurants/2021/10/13/high-street-place-opening-march-2022/|title=High Street Place, Boston's upcoming food hall, will open in March 2022|website=Boston.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}} Tenderoni's serves craft pizza by the slice, while Dive Bar offers raw oysters and other seafood dishes.

• Sweet Cheeks Q (2011–present), Boston, Massachusetts
• Fool's Errand (February 2018–present), Boston, Massachusetts
• Bubble Bath (March 2022–present), inside High Street Place, Boston, Massachusetts
• Tenderoni's (March 2022–present), inside High Street Place, Boston, Massachusetts
• Dive Bar (March 2022–present), inside High Street Place, Boston, Massachusetts

• Tiger Mama (December 2015–October 2021), Boston, Massachusetts
• Orfano (August 2019–June 2022), Boston, Massachusetts
• Tenderoni's Fenway (November 2022–June 2024), Boston, Massachusetts

She was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, to American parents, where her father was stationed in the United States military.{{cite news |last1=Kearnan |first1=Scott |date=January 8, 2019 |title=Tiffani Faison Has Nothing to Apologize For |url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2019/01/08/tiffani-faison/ |accessdate=3 January 2020 |publisher=Boston Magazine}} The family moved around several times during her childhood and by the time she was in high school, settled in Santa Rosa, California. She was married but split from her wife in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Erika |date=2023-06-21 |title=Investor Sues Tiffani Faison, Alleging Misuse of COVID Funds and Other Financial Missteps |url=https://boston.eater.com/2023/6/21/23768685/tiffani-faison-lawsuit-investor-financial-mismanagement-sweet-cheeks-orfano#:~:text=Faison's%20ex-wife,%20Kelly%20Walsh,transparency%20is%20in%20the%20workplace. |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Eater Boston |language=en}} Faison formerly identified as bisexual,{{cite web |author=Riese |date=May 29, 2012 |title=15 Queers Cooking: Anne Burrell Joins Robust Legion of Lesbian Celebrity Chefs {{!}} Autostraddle |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/top-15-gay-chefs-anne-burrell-joins-robust-legion-of-lesbian-celebrity-chefs-139164 |work=Autostraddle |publisher=The Excitant Group |accessdate=December 13, 2019}} but as of 2019 identifies as lesbian.{{cite web |last=Abrams |first=Boris |date=January 14, 2019 |title=The East Coast's Preeminent Lesbian Chef Is on a Mission |url=https://www.advocate.com/women/2019/1/14/east-coasts-preeminent-lesbian-chef-mission |work=The Advocate |publisher=Here Media |accessdate=December 13, 2019}}

In high school, Faison began volunteering for HIV/AIDS organizations. Faison currently serves on the Board of Directors for Women Chefs & Restaurateurs as well as on The Boston Alliance of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Youth.{{Cite web |title=BAGLY Supporters |url=https://www.bagly.org/supporters |accessdate=27 January 2022 |website=Bagly.org}}

In September 2019, she was appointed to The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Restaurant Promotion Commission for her commitment to the state's restaurant business.{{cite web |title=Report to the Legislature Regarding The Massachusetts Restaurant Industry |url=https://www.visitma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2020-RPC-Report-to-the-Legislature_3.30.21.pdf |access-date=January 27, 2022 |website=Visitma.com}}

• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2022){{Cite web|url=https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2022-james-beard-awards-nominees|title = The 2022 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Nominees |website=Jamesbeard.org}}
• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2020){{Cite web|url=https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2020-james-beard-award-nominees|title = The 2020 James Beard Award Nominees |website=Jamesbeard.org}}
• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2019){{Cite web|url=https://boston.eater.com/2019/3/27/18283711/james-beard-nominees-boston-new-england-2019|title = Here Are the New England James Beard Foundation Nominees for 2019|website=Boston.eater.com|date = 27 March 2019}}
• James Beard Foundation, Nominee, Best Chef: Northeast (2018){{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/2018/03/14/2018-james-beard-award-finalists-new-england/|title=Here Are the 2018 James Beard Award Finalists from Boston|website=Bostonmagazine.com|date=14 March 2018 |accessdate=27 January 2022}}
• Boston Magazine, Best Chef: Boston (2016) {{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonmagazine.com/best-of-boston-archive/award/chef/|title=The Best Chef, in Boston|website=Bostonmagazine.com|accessdate=27 January 2022}}

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