Key Takeaways
- Kaleena’s father, William Bliss, passed away in 2010.
- She started her cooking career at the age of 16.
- On “Top Chef: Wisconsin,” she reached the top eight before being eliminated due to cheesecake issues.
Kaleena Bliss, an executive chef at the Chicago Athletic Association and a contestant on “Top Chef” season 21, is the daughter of her adopted parents, William and Margie Bliss.
Kaleena, who is Korean by birth, was adopted by her American parents when she was just four months old. She said:
Even though I am all Korean, being an adoptee, I had no exposure to Korean and Asian food. Though, my grandmother was an awesome cook, and I would always watch and assist her when she cooked for me. Her cooking was all about comfort food, and that is something I appreciate. As I entered culinary school and started working was when I found Korean food- its flavors and smells. It was such a new experience for me, and now I incorporate these flavors with my recipes.
Hailing from Seattle, Washington, USA, Bliss was born in 1988 and is 36 years old. She spent her early childhood with her sister, Christe.
Kaleena’s adopted father, William, who was born on May 11, 1951, in Chehalis, retired from his career as a machinist at Boeing in Portland.
On April 3, 2010, her father passed away in Yuma, Arizona, USA, at the age of 58.
He left behind his wife, Margie; his daughters, Kristy, and Kaleena Bliss; a grandson; and his two sisters and one brother from Seattle.
Bliss holds American citizenship and is of Asian-American heritage. Although she has not shared details about her mother, it is known that her sister lives in Vancouver.
At a young age, Kaleena developed a keen appreciation for the area’s rich culinary scene and started her cooking career at 16.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts management from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., she honed her culinary skills at a French restaurant named Fenouil in Portland.
Influenced by her Pacific Northwest roots, her culinary style highlights the use of foraged, wild, and seasonal ingredients.
With a career spanning more than 18 years, Kaleena excelled in notable restaurants throughout Portland, Seattle, and the larger Puget Sound area.
Kaleena Bliss’s Journey On “Top Chef: Wisconsin”
Kaleena Bliss, an emerging talent in the culinary world, showcased her skills in March 2024 by competing in the 21st season of “Top Chef,” titled “Top Chef: Wisconsin.”
Regarding her journey to appearing on “Top Chef,” she said:
I ended up applying for Top Chef, not really thinking that I would make it on the show. After each callback and interview, I was surprised until they finally confirmed that I would be a contestant.
Bliss was among the top eight competitors before being eliminated from “Top Chef: Wisconsin.”
Her departure came after a challenging round where her cheesecake didn’t set correctly, resulting in critical judge feedback.
The stress of the competition affected her teamwork with Alisha Elenz, causing communication and execution problems.
Both chefs received negative reviews for their dishes – Kaleena’s crust was deemed inedible, and Alisha’s aguachile was criticized as basic.
The combination of these issues led to their joint elimination, marking a dramatic conclusion to their time on the show.
Bliss then appeared in the latest episode of Food Network’s ongoing Season 3 of “Bobby’s Triple Threat” on August 27, 2024,
Previously, in 2022, she showcased her culinary skills and creativity on Food Network’s Chopped: Casino Royale and Beachside Brawl, emerging as the winner of both.
Kaleena Bliss Career Highlights
Kaleena initially worked as a full-time Kitchen Supervisor at Hilton in the United States for a year before becoming a sous chef at Four Swallows on Bainbridge Island.
With two years of experience under her belt, she began her tenure as Chef De Cuisine at Mistral Kitchen, holding the position for almost three years.
Following her success in the field, she progressed to the role of Executive Sous Chef at The Edgewater Hotel, where she worked for over three years.
Subsequently, she took on a part-time role as Area Executive Chef at Motif Seattle. There, she had a “complex role overseeing the culinary department simultaneously with Thompson Seattle.”
In November 2019, she was named Executive Chef at Thompson Seattle, a position she held for three years until 2022.
At present, Bliss is the executive chef at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, where she manages both the banquet and events program and the renowned restaurant Cindy’s Rooftop.
Her career path, evolving from a young cook in Washington to a leading chef in Chicago, underscores her exceptional talent and enduring impact in the culinary industry.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Outside of her culinary profession, Bliss enjoys hiking and is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues in and outside the industry.
- She is presently in a relationship with her partner, Garrett.
- In 2022, the Puget Sound Business Journal honored her with the prestigious’ 40 under 40′ award.
