17. Chef Kevin Scharpf: A Top Chef’s Passion for the Heartland

Building upon both the recognition and reputation he garnered as a standout competitor on Bravo’s Top Chef program, Chef Kevin Scharpf could have easily capitalized on his success and opened a restaurant in a major metropolitan market. But this award-winner instead stayed true to his roots—opening his Brazen Open Kitchen and Bar in Dubuque’s up-and-coming historic Millwork District. Today Chef Kevin’s seasonal menus draw patrons from across the country in search of unique dishes featuring hyper local Midwest ingredients. Dig a little deeper though and you’ll see that this James Beard semifinalist is just as passionate about the intersection of food, health and wellness as he is with crafting unique flavor profiles.