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{{Short description|Chef who won Top Chef 2022}}
{{Short description|Australian chef}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Buddha Lo<!-- use common name/article title -->
| name = Buddha Lo<!-- use common name/article title -->
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| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1991|8|21}}
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) -->
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) -->
| death_place =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| nationality = Australian
| citizenship =
| citizenship =
| other_names =
| other_names =
| occupation = Chef
| occupation = Chef
| spouse = {{marriage|Rebekah Pedler|2018}}
| children = 2
| years_active =
| years_active =
| employer =
| employer =
| known_for = ''[[Top Chef: Houston]]'' (winner)
| known_for = ''[[Top Chef: Houston]]''<br>''[[Top Chef: World All-Stars]]''
| notable_works =
| notable_works =
}}
}}
'''Kah-wai “Buddha” Lo'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/young-chef-of-the-year-2014-award-20130814-2rvqj|date=August 14, 2013|access-date=June 2, 2022|last=Riordan|first=Olivia|website=Good Food|title=Young Chef of the Year 2014 award|archive-date=May 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507110440/https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/young-chef-of-the-year-2014-award-20130814-2rvqj|url-status=live}}</ref> (known professionally as '''Buddha Lo''') is a [[Chinese-Australian]] chef, best known as the winner of the 19th season of ''[[Top Chef: Houston|Top Chef]]'' in [[Houston|Houston, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-07 |title=Top Chef Winner Buddha Lo’s One Easy Fix For The Restaurant Industry |url=https://uproxx.com/life/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-interview/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930152225/https://uproxx.com/life/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Crawford |date=2022-06-07 |title=Top Chef Season 19 Winner Buddha Lo On Winning, Cooking, And Success Formulas - Exclusive Interview |url=https://www.mashed.com/886560/top-chef-season-19-winner-buddha-lo-on-winning-cooking-and-his-formula-for-success-exclusive/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Mashed.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627035531/https://www.mashed.com/886560/top-chef-season-19-winner-buddha-lo-on-winning-cooking-and-his-formula-for-success-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
'''Kah-wai Lo'''<ref name=GoodFood>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/young-chef-of-the-year-2014-award-20130814-2rvqj|date=14 August 2013|access-date=2 June 2022|last=Riordan|first=Olivia|website=Good Food|title=Young Chef of the Year 2014 award|archive-date=7 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507110440/https://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/young-chef-of-the-year-2014-award-20130814-2rvqj|url-status=live}}</ref> (born 21 August 1991), known professionally as '''Buddha Lo''', is an Australian chef and television personality. He is best known for winning two consecutive seasons of the American television series ''[[Top Chef]]'', becoming its first two-time winner.


== Early life and career ==
==Early life==
Lo is currently an executive chef at Huso and cook at [[Eleven Madison Park|Eleven Maddison Park]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fabricant |first=Florence |date=2019-04-16 |title=A Caviar Shop With a Tasting Menu, on the Upper East Side |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/16/dining/nyc-restaurant-news.html |access-date=2022-06-27 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2022-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627035531/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/16/dining/nyc-restaurant-news.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoeffner |first=Melissa Kravitz |title=You can now taste the Top Chef winner's dishes in NYC |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-taste-the-top-chef-winners-dishes-in-nyc-060622 |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Time Out New York |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627035531/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-taste-the-top-chef-winners-dishes-in-nyc-060622 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lo was the head chef at Matteo’s Restaurant in [[Melbourne|Melbourne, Victoria]], Australia and in 2014 worked at [[Restaurant Gordon Ramsay]] in [[London|London, United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Executive Chef |url=https://www.matteos.com.au/PDFs/MatteosExecChefPosition.pdf |access-date=2022-06-27 |archive-date=2018-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317070107/https://www.matteos.com.au/PDFs/MatteosExecChefPosition.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-04 |title=‘Top Chef’ winner Buddha Lo wants to open a spot with 'a cool Brooklyn flair' |url=https://www.bkmag.com/2022/06/04/top-chef-buddha-lo/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Brooklyn Magazine |archive-date=2022-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619232912/https://www.bkmag.com/2022/06/04/top-chef-buddha-lo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lo received the Gordon Ramsay Excellence Award while working in London.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grundy |first=Hilary McNevin and Roslyn |date=2014-11-10 |title=Piccolo: Melbourne food news |url=https://www.goodfood.com.au/archived/piccolo-melbourne-food-news-20141106-11i6vf |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Good Food |language=en-au |archive-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930152226/https://www.goodfood.com.au/archived/piccolo-melbourne-food-news-20141106-11i6vf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Lo was born in Australia to a [[Hongkonger]] father and [[Malaysians|Malaysian]] mother.<ref name=Parade>{{cite web|url=https://parade.com/tv/top-chef-20-world-all-stars-buddha-lo-winner|date=9 June 2023|access-date=12 June 2023|last=Bloom|first=Mike|website=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]|title='Top Chef: World All-Stars' Winner Buddha Lo Breaks Down His Historic Victory|archive-date=10 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610110610/https://parade.com/tv/top-chef-20-world-all-stars-buddha-lo-winner|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Uproxx>{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/life/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-interview/|date=7 June 2022|access-date=11 June 2023|last=Mancini|first=Vince|website=[[Uproxx]]|title=Top Chef Winner Buddha Lo On Growing Up Eating Dugong And Why You Can't Call Employees Donkeys Anymore|archive-date=7 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607160118/https://uproxx.com/life/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was raised in [[Port Douglas]], along with his older brother, where his family owns a Chinese restaurant called the Jade Inn.<ref name=Uproxx/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/food/top-chef-houston-crowns-a-new-winner/|date=2 June 2022|access-date=16 June 2023|last=Calderone|first=Ana|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|title='Top Chef' Crowns a New Winner: 'It Was Always Win or Nothing'|archive-date=3 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603014904/https://people.com/food/top-chef-houston-crowns-a-new-winner/|url-status=live}}</ref> During his childhood, he earned the nickname "[[Budai|Buddha]]" due to becoming chubby from "eating too much of [his] dad's food."<ref name=Uproxx/><ref name=Marky>{{cite web|url=https://www.markys.com/blog/buddha-lo-top-chef-restaurant|date=4 June 2022|access-date=12 June 2023|website=Marky's|title=Buddha Lo on What's Next After His 'Top Chef: Houston' Victory (EXCLUSIVE)|archive-date=12 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612053651/https://www.markys.com/blog/buddha-lo-top-chef-restaurant|url-status=live}}</ref> Lo started working at the family restaurant at age 12.<ref name=Melbourne>{{cite web|url=https://weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/09/06/interview-buddha-lo-of-matteos/|date=6 September 2016|access-date=27 June 2022|website=We Know Melbourne|title=Interview: Buddha Lo of Matteos|archive-date=24 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324173247/https://weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/09/06/interview-buddha-lo-of-matteos/|url-status=live}}</ref> At age 14, he began a school-based culinary apprenticeship, working at a five-star hotel and resort on his weekends.<ref name=Melbourne/><ref name=Sharp>{{cite web|url=https://sharpmagazine.com/2022/11/01/buddha-lo-interview/|date=1 November 2022|access-date=12 June 2023|last=Marsh|first=Calum|website=[[Sharp (magazine)|Sharp]]|title=View From the Top: In Interview With Buddha Lo|archive-date=10 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110134155/https://sharpmagazine.com/2022/11/01/buddha-lo-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Career==
Lo has also worked at a restaurant owned by Raymond Capaldi and the Hare and Grace.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Crawford |date=2022-06-09 |title=Buddha Lo's Tips For Winning Top Chef - Exclusive |url=https://www.mashed.com/889438/buddha-los-tips-for-winning-top-chef-exclusive/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Mashed.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930152225/https://www.mashed.com/889438/buddha-los-tips-for-winning-top-chef-exclusive/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raphael |first=Shannon |date=2022-06-06 |title=Buddha Lo Shares Why His Wife Was "Instrumental" to His 'Top Chef' Win (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/buddha-lo-wife-top-chef |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Distractify |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627035531/https://www.distractify.com/p/buddha-lo-wife-top-chef |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also the chef ambassador for Lavazza and Tabasco and was a former apprentice chef at Matteo’s in [[Fitzroy, Victoria]], Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-06 |title=Interview: Buddha Lo of Matteos |url=https://weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/09/06/interview-buddha-lo-of-matteos/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326185619/https://weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/09/06/interview-buddha-lo-of-matteos/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Lo attended [[William Angliss Institute of TAFE|William Angliss Institute]] in [[Melbourne|Melbourne, Australia]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angliss alum Buddha Lo reaches new heights |url=https://www.angliss.edu.au/about/news/angliss-alum-buddha-lo-reaches-new-heights/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=www.angliss.edu.au |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930152227/https://www.angliss.edu.au/about/news/angliss-alum-buddha-lo-reaches-new-heights/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and worked for two months at the two-Michelin-starred Château Cordellian-Bages in [[Pouillac, France|Pauillac, France]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Buddha Lo |url=https://classic.foodandwine.com/fwtalent/buddha-lo/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen |language=en-US}}</ref>
Lo moved to [[Melbourne]] at age 17, after graduating high school, landing a job at Matteo's Restaurant and enrolling at the [[William Angliss Institute of TAFE|William Angliss Institute]].<ref name=Melbourne/><ref name=Angliss>{{cite web|url=https://www.angliss.edu.au/about/news/angliss-alum-buddha-lo-reaches-new-heights/|date=17 June 2022|access-date=27 June 2022|website=[[William Angliss Institute of TAFE|William Angliss Institute]]|title=Angliss alum Buddha Lo reaches new heights|archive-date=30 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630163227/https://www.angliss.edu.au/about/news/angliss-alum-buddha-lo-reaches-new-heights/|url-status=live}}</ref> While in culinary school, Lo won a scholarship for a two-month [[stage (cooking)|stage]] at the two Michelin star restaurant Café Lavinal at the Château Cordeillan-Bages hotel in [[Pauillac]], France.<ref name=Angliss/>

Returning to Australia, Lo was hired by Raymond Capaldi to work at his restaurant Hare & Grace, becoming its head chef by age 19.<ref name=Angliss/><ref name=BuddhaLo>{{cite web|url=https://www.chefbuddhalo.com/|access-date=11 June 2023|website=chefbuddhalo.com|title=Buddha Lo|archive-date=31 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331163757/https://www.chefbuddhalo.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> After two years with Capaldi, Lo moved to [[London]], where he worked under [[Clare Smyth]] and Matt Abé at [[Restaurant Gordon Ramsay]].<ref name=Sharp/> In 2014, he received the Gordon Ramsay Excellence Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/piccolo-melbourne-food-news-20141107-11i6vf.html|last1=McNevin|first1=Hilary|last2=Grundy|first2=Roslyn|date=10 November 2014|access-date=27 June 2022|website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald|Good Food]]|title=Piccolo: Melbourne food news|archive-date=12 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612041435/https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/piccolo-melbourne-food-news-20141107-11i6vf.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After two years in London, Lo staged at various kitchens throughout Europe, including France, [[Sweden]], and [[Copenhagen]], before moving back to Melbourne.<ref name=BuddhaLo/> Lo was a guest chef at various events, including the [[Melbourne Cup]] and the [[Australian Open]], and became a chef ambassador for [[Lavazza]] and [[Tabasco sauce|Tabasco]].<ref name=BuddhaLo/>

Lo then moved to [[New York City]], working at [[Eleven Madison Park]] for a year.<ref name=TimeOut>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-taste-the-top-chef-winners-dishes-in-nyc-060622|date=6 June 2022|access-date=27 June 2022|last=Kravitz Hoeffner|first=Melissa|website=[[Time Out Group|Time Out]]|title=You can now taste the Top Chef winner's dishes in NYC|archive-date=7 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607055101/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/you-can-now-taste-the-top-chef-winners-dishes-in-nyc-060622|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, he became the executive chef at HŪSO, a small [[caviar]]-focused restaurant located behind Marky's Caviar retail shop on [[Madison Avenue]].<ref name=TimeOut/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/16/dining/nyc-restaurant-news.html|date=16 April 2019|access-date=27 June 2022|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|website=[[The New York Times]]|title=A Caviar Shop With a Tasting Menu, on the Upper East Side|archive-date=16 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416181914/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/16/dining/nyc-restaurant-news.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=S19>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/top-chef/top-chef-season-19-houston-winner|date=2 June 2022|access-date=12 June 2023|last=Lewis|first=Hunter|website=[[Food & Wine]]|title=The Future of Fine Dining Is in Good Hands with the Season 19 'Top Chef' Winner|archive-date=3 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603040406/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/top-chef/top-chef-season-19-houston-winner|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Top Chef''===
In 2022, Lo was announced as a contestant on the nineteenth season of ''Top Chef'', titled ''[[Top Chef: Houston]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/top-chef/top-chef-season-19-houston-chefs-cast-premiere-date|date=24 January 2022|access-date=24 January 2022|last=Campbell-Schmitt|first=Adam|website=[[Food & Wine]]|title='Top Chef' Houston: Here Are All the Chefs Competing This Season|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124200024/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/top-chef/top-chef-season-19-houston-chefs-cast-premiere-date|url-status=live}}</ref> A longtime fan of the series, Lo started watching ''Top Chef'' at age 15, adding it to his career [[Wish list#Types|bucket list]].<ref name=S19/> Prior to filming, he binge-watched eight seasons, taking notes on past chefs' mistakes and formulating a strategy for the competition.<ref name=S19/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mashed.com/886560/top-chef-season-19-winner-buddha-lo-on-winning-cooking-and-his-formula-for-success-exclusive/|date=8 June 2022|access-date=27 June 2022|last=Smith|first=Crawford|website=[[Static Media|Mashed]]|title=Top Chef Season 19 Winner Buddha Lo On Winning, Cooking, And Success Formulas - Exclusive Interview|archive-date=7 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607133444/https://www.mashed.com/886560/top-chef-season-19-winner-buddha-lo-on-winning-cooking-and-his-formula-for-success-exclusive/|url-status=live}}</ref> He would eventually win the season, receiving its {{US$|250,000}} prize.<ref name=S19/> Buddha dedicated his victory to his late father, Tze-Kwong "Tony" Lo, who died from cancer just two days before he got the call to appear on the show.<ref name=Marky/> He was then invited back to compete in the twentieth season, ''[[Top Chef: World All-Stars]]'', which included former winners and finalists from several international editions of ''Top Chef''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/top-chef-all-stars-season-20-premiere-date-7098988|date=25 January 2023|access-date=25 January 2023|last=Leasca|first=Stacey|website=[[Food & Wine]]|title='Top Chef' Is Back, These Are the All-Stars Competing This Year|archive-date=25 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125170518/https://www.foodandwine.com/top-chef-all-stars-season-20-premiere-date-7098988|url-status=live}}</ref> Lo extensively studied [[British cuisine]] during the three months between the conclusion of ''Houston'' airing and the beginning of filming for ''World All-Stars''.<ref name=Parade/> He was once again declared the winner, receiving his second {{US$|250,000}} prize and becoming the series' first repeat champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/top-chef-season-20-winner-finale-recap-7508836|date=8 June 2023|access-date=12 June 2023|last=Campbell-Schmitt|first=Adam|website=[[Food & Wine]]|title=Spoiler Alert: Here's the Winner of 'Top Chef' Season 20|archive-date=12 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612065108/https://www.foodandwine.com/top-chef-season-20-winner-finale-recap-7508836|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-season-20-world-all-stars-padma-lakshmi-1235638694/|date=9 June 2023|access-date=12 June 2023|last=Maas|first=Jennifer|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title='Top Chef' Season 20 Winner on Making History as First World All-Star and Why They 'Definitely' Can't Take Over for Host Padma Lakshmi|archive-date=9 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609210329/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-season-20-world-all-stars-padma-lakshmi-1235638694/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Lo is married to pastry chef Rebekah Pedler.<ref name=Pedler>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/food/top-chefs-buddha-lo-jokes-his-marry-me-pasta-could-have-been-named-divorce-me-pasta-if-he-lost/|date=22 September 2022|access-date=16 June 2023|last=Calderone|first=Ana|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|title='Top Chef's Buddha Lo Jokes His 'Marry Me Pasta' Could Have Been Named 'Divorce Me Pasta' If He Lost|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922154114/https://people.com/food/top-chefs-buddha-lo-jokes-his-marry-me-pasta-could-have-been-named-divorce-me-pasta-if-he-lost/|url-status=live}}</ref> The two met each other while working at Hare & Grace.<ref name=Pedler/> In June 2023, Pedler announced she was pregnant with twins.<ref>{{cite instagram|last=Pedler|first=Rebekah|user=rebekahp87|postid=CtjEHf-gVsO/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D|title=“Fire one double” ✌🏼 ——> 11.11|date=16 June 2023|archive-date=17 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617025726/https://www.instagram.com/p/CtjEHf-gVsO/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D|url-status=live}}</ref> Their daughters, Tatiana and Alina, were born in October 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-and-wife-rebekah-pedler-welcome-twins-8382567|date=30 October 2023|access-date=31 October 2023|last1=Sacks|first1=Hannah|last2=Blanchet|first2=Brenton|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|title=Top Chef Winner Buddha Lo and Wife Rebekah Pedler Welcome Twin Daughters: 'Let the Fun Begin'|archive-date=30 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030211939/https://people.com/top-chef-winner-buddha-lo-and-wife-rebekah-pedler-welcome-twins-8382567|url-status=live}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 30: Line 43:


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[https://www.chefbuddhalo.com/ Official website]
*{{Official website|https://www.chefbuddhalo.com/}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lo, Buddha}}
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[[Category:Australian chefs]]
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[[Category:Top Chef winners]]
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[[Category:Australian chefs]]
[[Category:Chefs from New York City]]
[[Category:Australian people of Chinese descent]]
[[Category:Australian people of Malaysian descent]]

Latest revision as of 06:57, 6 October 2024

Buddha Lo
Born (1991-08-21) 21 August 1991 (age 33)
NationalityAustralian
OccupationChef
Known forTop Chef: Houston
Top Chef: World All-Stars
Spouse
Rebekah Pedler
​
(m. 2018)​
Children2

Kah-wai Lo[1] (born 21 August 1991), known professionally as Buddha Lo, is an Australian chef and television personality. He is best known for winning two consecutive seasons of the American television series Top Chef, becoming its first two-time winner.

Early life

[edit]

Lo was born in Australia to a Hongkonger father and Malaysian mother.[2][3] He was raised in Port Douglas, along with his older brother, where his family owns a Chinese restaurant called the Jade Inn.[3][4] During his childhood, he earned the nickname "Buddha" due to becoming chubby from "eating too much of [his] dad's food."[3][5] Lo started working at the family restaurant at age 12.[6] At age 14, he began a school-based culinary apprenticeship, working at a five-star hotel and resort on his weekends.[6][7]

Career

[edit]

Lo moved to Melbourne at age 17, after graduating high school, landing a job at Matteo's Restaurant and enrolling at the William Angliss Institute.[6][8] While in culinary school, Lo won a scholarship for a two-month stage at the two Michelin star restaurant Café Lavinal at the Château Cordeillan-Bages hotel in Pauillac, France.[8]

Returning to Australia, Lo was hired by Raymond Capaldi to work at his restaurant Hare & Grace, becoming its head chef by age 19.[8][9] After two years with Capaldi, Lo moved to London, where he worked under Clare Smyth and Matt Abé at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.[7] In 2014, he received the Gordon Ramsay Excellence Award.[10] After two years in London, Lo staged at various kitchens throughout Europe, including France, Sweden, and Copenhagen, before moving back to Melbourne.[9] Lo was a guest chef at various events, including the Melbourne Cup and the Australian Open, and became a chef ambassador for Lavazza and Tabasco.[9]

Lo then moved to New York City, working at Eleven Madison Park for a year.[11] In 2019, he became the executive chef at HŪSO, a small caviar-focused restaurant located behind Marky's Caviar retail shop on Madison Avenue.[11][12][13]

Top Chef

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In 2022, Lo was announced as a contestant on the nineteenth season of Top Chef, titled Top Chef: Houston.[14] A longtime fan of the series, Lo started watching Top Chef at age 15, adding it to his career bucket list.[13] Prior to filming, he binge-watched eight seasons, taking notes on past chefs' mistakes and formulating a strategy for the competition.[13][15] He would eventually win the season, receiving its US$250,000 prize.[13] Buddha dedicated his victory to his late father, Tze-Kwong "Tony" Lo, who died from cancer just two days before he got the call to appear on the show.[5] He was then invited back to compete in the twentieth season, Top Chef: World All-Stars, which included former winners and finalists from several international editions of Top Chef.[16] Lo extensively studied British cuisine during the three months between the conclusion of Houston airing and the beginning of filming for World All-Stars.[2] He was once again declared the winner, receiving his second US$250,000 prize and becoming the series' first repeat champion.[17][18]

Personal life

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Lo is married to pastry chef Rebekah Pedler.[19] The two met each other while working at Hare & Grace.[19] In June 2023, Pedler announced she was pregnant with twins.[20] Their daughters, Tatiana and Alina, were born in October 2023.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Riordan, Olivia (14 August 2013). "Young Chef of the Year 2014 award". Good Food. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b Bloom, Mike (9 June 2023). "'Top Chef: World All-Stars' Winner Buddha Lo Breaks Down His Historic Victory". Parade. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Mancini, Vince (7 June 2022). "Top Chef Winner Buddha Lo On Growing Up Eating Dugong And Why You Can't Call Employees Donkeys Anymore". Uproxx. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  4. ^ Calderone, Ana (2 June 2022). "'Top Chef' Crowns a New Winner: 'It Was Always Win or Nothing'". People. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Buddha Lo on What's Next After His 'Top Chef: Houston' Victory (EXCLUSIVE)". Marky's. 4 June 2022. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Interview: Buddha Lo of Matteos". We Know Melbourne. 6 September 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  7. ^ a b Marsh, Calum (1 November 2022). "View From the Top: In Interview With Buddha Lo". Sharp. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Angliss alum Buddha Lo reaches new heights". William Angliss Institute. 17 June 2022. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Buddha Lo". chefbuddhalo.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  10. ^ McNevin, Hilary; Grundy, Roslyn (10 November 2014). "Piccolo: Melbourne food news". Good Food. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  11. ^ a b Kravitz Hoeffner, Melissa (6 June 2022). "You can now taste the Top Chef winner's dishes in NYC". Time Out. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  12. ^ Fabricant, Florence (16 April 2019). "A Caviar Shop With a Tasting Menu, on the Upper East Side". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d Lewis, Hunter (2 June 2022). "The Future of Fine Dining Is in Good Hands with the Season 19 'Top Chef' Winner". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  14. ^ Campbell-Schmitt, Adam (24 January 2022). "'Top Chef' Houston: Here Are All the Chefs Competing This Season". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  15. ^ Smith, Crawford (8 June 2022). "Top Chef Season 19 Winner Buddha Lo On Winning, Cooking, And Success Formulas - Exclusive Interview". Mashed. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  16. ^ Leasca, Stacey (25 January 2023). "'Top Chef' Is Back, These Are the All-Stars Competing This Year". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  17. ^ Campbell-Schmitt, Adam (8 June 2023). "Spoiler Alert: Here's the Winner of 'Top Chef' Season 20". Food & Wine. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  18. ^ Maas, Jennifer (9 June 2023). "'Top Chef' Season 20 Winner on Making History as First World All-Star and Why They 'Definitely' Can't Take Over for Host Padma Lakshmi". Variety. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  19. ^ a b Calderone, Ana (22 September 2022). "'Top Chef's Buddha Lo Jokes His 'Marry Me Pasta' Could Have Been Named 'Divorce Me Pasta' If He Lost". People. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  20. ^ Pedler, Rebekah [@rebekahp87] (16 June 2023). ""Fire one double" ✌🏼 ——> 11.11". Archived from the original on 17 June 2023 – via Instagram.
  21. ^ Sacks, Hannah; Blanchet, Brenton (30 October 2023). "Top Chef Winner Buddha Lo and Wife Rebekah Pedler Welcome Twin Daughters: 'Let the Fun Begin'". People. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
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