As a long-time judge on the very popular Food Network show Chopped, Amanda Freitag is like many elite American Chef, Cookbook Writer, and television personalities with a net worth estimated to be $3 million. As one of the top chefs in the country, Freitag has worked in high-end fine-dining kitchens and competitive cooking television shows, teaching countless home cooks how to not only cook well but also enjoy and nourish themselves with healthy foods.
Through her calm attitude, technical knife skills, and incredible skills for dynamic seasonal ingredients, she provides a great educational moment and delicious dishes for promising chefs and certain food television audiences.
Amanda Freitag Early Life and Education
Born in May 1972 in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, Amanda Freitag credits her grandmothers and an incredibly supportive home economics teacher for her love of food.
She attended The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York, and graduated in 1989. The education she received there, along with her studies abroad in France, advanced her career and instilled in her a deep respect for French cooking and practical methods of food preparation and presentation.
Amanda Freitag Restaurant Experience
Freitag began her professional cooking journey at Vong, a Southeast Asian-French fusion restaurant owned by famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Soon after, she learned under chef Diane Forley at Verbena, which cultivated her great appreciation for the farm-to-table and seasonal cuisines. Her culinary career also took her to Paris to sharpen her skills at the Michelin-starred L’Arpège under the tutelage of chef Alain Passard.
Some highlights from her restaurant career include:
Cesca Enoteca & Trattoria (Upper West Side)—Executive Chef, noted for her rustic Italian-inspired fare.
The Harrison (Tribeca)—Continued to earn accolades, with refined yet accessible cooking.
Empire Diner (Chelsea)—Relaunched this iconic New York restaurant in 2014.
Rise & Thyme (Dallas, 2020) – Opened a seasonal bistro with the Front Burner group until 2022.
Her restaurant career encapsulates versatility, creativity, and the ability to navigate shifting food trends.
Television Career
Amanda Freitag’s TV career has been a major part of her financial success and net worth. She started on Chopped in 2009 and quickly became a fan-favorite for her thought-provoking critiques and calm behavior.
Some of her other TV experiences include:
Iron Chef America – Contestant
The Next Iron Chef – Finalist
American Diner Revival (2015) – Co-host, in Ty Pennington
Guest spots on Guy’s Grocery Games, Tournament of Champions, and others
Freitag has also been able to establish a strong digital brand with her Easy AF (Easy Amanda Freitag) series with simple, tasty recipes for the home cook, a brand that has grown into merchandise, spices, and cocktails. She is additionally the co-host of the ‘On the Line’ podcast with chef Dan Holzman. They talk with chefs and industry leaders about food, culture and business.
Cookbook and Philosophy
In 2015 Freitag published The Chef Next Door: A Pro Chef’s Recipes for Fun, Fearless Home Cooking, which breaks down professional cooking techniques for the regular home cook and encourages confidence and creativity while cooking.
Her food philosophy includes:
Seasonal, high-quality ingredients
French technique paired with American relatability
Comfort food elevated with sophistication
She has become a trusted resource for producing restaurant-caliber meals at home.
Amanda Freitag Net Worth
As of 2025, Amanda Freitag’s net worth is $3 million. She has made this money through:
Fine dining restaurant work
Food Network appearances (Chopped, Iron Chef America; The Next Iron Chef)
Book sales
Her Easy AF digital brand, products and events
Educational speaking engagements, culinary festivals
Her combination of restaurant experience, television fame, and other forms of media has made her a staple chef in American cuisine.
FAQs for Amanda Freitag
What is Amanda Freitag’s net worth?
Amanda Freitag’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million.
How did Amanda Freitag get famous?
She became famous as a judge on Food Network’s Chopped and later as a competitor on Iron Chef America and The Next Iron Chef.
Has Amanda Freitag written a book?
Yes. She wrote The Chef Next Door: A Pro Chef’s Recipes for Fun, Fearless Home Cooking (2015).
What style of cooking does Amanda Freitag practice?
Her cooking style blends French technique and, later, as-and-seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking to make French food doable and fancy.
Has Amanda Freitag opened a restaurant?
Yes. She was the chef for a number of highly acclaimed restaurants in New York, including Cesca, The Harrison and Empire Diner. She helped co-found Rise & Thyme in Dallas.
Does Amanda Freitag have any other media products besides television?
Yes. She is the host of the Easy AF cooking series and the co-owner of the On the Line podcast with Dan Holzman.
