4 Top Chef Alumni Found Common Ground with Military Chefs During a USO Tour

Last month, four Bravo's Top Chef alumni participated in an event that proved the morale-boosting power of food — and the common ground between military chefs and restaurant chefs. As part of the USO Celebrity Chef tour, Justin Sutherland, Kevin Scharpf, David Viana, and Brother Luck traveled to military bases in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, to visit with military chefs as well as service members and their families.  

In Wyoming, Justin, Kevin, and David made fresh pasta with the military chefs, then divided into teams for an Iron Chef-style competition. In Colorado, all four gentlemen prepared lunch for 300 service members and their families. 

"I’ve never had the ability to give back," David said at the event. "Being asked to do this just felt like something I was compelled to do, I felt honored to do, and I’m glad I’m needed in some small way and can bring some smiles to service members' faces. It made it all worthwhile."

Reflecting on his experience with the military chefs, Kevin shared, "It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to come spend time with not only the military but people that are also doing something that you do every day. Hopefully, you can give back and inspire and give them a reason to keep pushing forward."

For his part, Justin found plenty of common ground with his new friends. "As far as a kitchen perspective, I don’t think there is a closer mindset than that of the military," he said. "Even the old brigade systems in staging kitchens. I think we can communicate on some of the same levels, have some of the same disciplines, some of the same respects, some of the same end goals. I thought it was easy to talk to them."

Keep scrolling to see photos from the heartwarming event. 

Photo: Courtesy of the USO

Photo: Courtesy of the USO

Photo: Courtesy of the USO

Photo: Courtesy of the USO