Kat Turner’s path to the kitchen wasn’t exactly traditional. The Top Chef alum grew up in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, surrounded by nature, cookbooks, and the aroma of her mother’s home cooking. After early culinary exploration—including time with her chef brother-in-law—she initially pursued a career in the arts, studying fine art, theater, and photography before moving to Los Angeles and working in entertainment.
Her pivot to professional cooking came in 2008, during the financial crisis, when a chance moment in a friend’s vegan restaurant led her to the line. That spark brought her to New York and the Natural Gourmet Institute, a program blending classical culinary technique with a holistic approach to food. Though she never set out to run a restaurant, Turner found her voice working as a private chef for A-list clients, traveling the world and fine-tuning a style that blends comfort, global flavor, and a hint of mischief.
After years on the road—and a stint cooking at summits and mountaintop events—Turner was invited to help open a café in Los Angeles. That casual offer led to Highly Likely, a West Adams neighborhood restaurant that has become a local fixture since opening in 2018. Turner’s cooking is driven by accessibility and surprise: familiar ingredients layered in unexpected ways, where recognition gives way to curiosity.
Today, Turner balances her restaurant work with TV appearances and ongoing creative projects. Whether she’s plating for brunch service or filming on set, her philosophy remains the same: cook with feeling, stay curious, and always aim “à la folie”—to the point of madness.
