Amanda Freitag is a celebrated American chef, restaurant entrepreneur, and media personality whose career spans fine dining, television, and food entrepreneurship. Freitag has served as executive chef at numerous acclaimed New York restaurants including The Harrison and Cesca, and is a regular judge on Food Network's Chopped, one of the longest-running and most popular cooking competitions on American television. She is the author of The Chef Next Door cookbook and has built a substantial personal brand through television, social media, cookbooks, and speaking engagements. Freitag's journey from executive chef working 80-hour weeks in professional kitchens to building a multi-platform business around her culinary expertise represents the evolution of celebrity chef entrepreneurship in America. She has become a prominent voice on women in professional kitchens, mentorship, and the evolving restaurant industry. Her ability to translate culinary expertise into a diversified business portfolio-spanning television, publishing, consulting, and speaking-exemplifies how food professionals can build entrepreneurial careers beyond traditional restaurant ownership. Her visibility has inspired many aspiring chefs, particularly women, to pursue careers in professional culinary arts.