The Truth About Nick Wallace From Top Chef Season 19

Bravo's hit show "Top Chef" is back for Season 19, and the competition is more flaming hot than ever. One of the talented contestants is Nick Wallace, an accomplished chef hailing from Jackson, Mississippi, who runs various culinary-based businesses, is involved in charitable organizations, and has won awards including "Best Chef of Mississippi"  (via Bravo). Wallace's style combines French culinary techniques with farm-to-table principles, as well as the influences he acquired at a young age cooking alongside his grandmothers. Wallace is no newcomer to TV; he has appeared on Food Network's "Chopped" as well as other domestic and international programs.

According to his website, Wallace is the founder and executive chef of Nick Wallace Culinary, a catering company that offers customers the opportunity to enjoy contemporary, Mississippi-inspired foods fueled by ingredients gathered from local farms and purveyors. He also runs a program called From My Hands to Your Kitchen, which offers the public the opportunity to have Wallace come and prepare a meal in their homes.

One testimonial listed on Wallace's website features a customer who raved about their experience working with Wallace and the food he prepared. "Nick's food is his craft and his passion. Everything he made for us was made with great thought and love, and it's definitely the best food that's ever come out of our kitchen. All of our guests were blown away by dishes that they've never had before – innovative and SO delicious."

Perhaps the most impressive of Wallace's culinary endeavors is his organization Creativity Kitchen, which was born out of a need he saw for healthy school lunches for Jackson Public Schools' students. Not only does Wallace help educate school kitchen staff on how to prepare healthy recipes he has developed, but he also dedicates time toward teaching students how to grow their own food. Instagram followers and notable fans alike took to the comments of one of Wallace's posts announcing his appearance on "Top Chef," with Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, commenting, "You got this. Bring the trophy home to #Mississippi." You can catch Wallace on "Top Chef" now, airing on Bravo on Thursday nights.