
From Line Cook to CEO: Top Chefs in the USA —
Stefan Richter, 41, was runner-up on Top Chef season 5 and returned as a competitor to the show for season 10.

From Line Cook to CEO: Top Chefs in the USA —
Today, Richter oversees a 16 million dollar per year restaurant empire.

From Line Cook to CEO: Top Chefs in the USA —
Born in Finland, Richter has two small Los Angeles based cafes, Stefan's at L.A. FARM restaurant, three restaurants in Finland and two more opening between this year and 2014, and a forthcoming television show in Finland.

From Line Cook to CEO: Top Chefs in the USA —
Chris Reynolds, 26, is a line cook at Morimoto in New York City.

From Line Cook to CEO: Top Chefs in the USA —
Reynolds graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris in 2012.

From Line Cook to CEO: Top Chefs in the USA —
"When I was in school, I got second degree burns on my hand and the blisters on my palm were sickeningly large. Even some of the chefs who'd worked in the industry for 30 plus years screamed or had to walk away when they saw my hand" Reynolds told OutFront. Pictured here is an injury to Reynolds' hand while he was a student at Le Cordon Bleu.