A Top Chef First: New Contestant Will Join the Competition Late by Cooking on Last Chance Kitchen (Exclusive)

A top chef shakes up season 21.

In a move never before done on the long-running series, the new cheftestant will make a late entry into the competition — after the series premiere — PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.

Chef Soo Ahn will have the opportunity to join other talented contestants as the 16th chef competing on Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen. The digital series, hosted by judge Tom Colicchio, is being eliminated A top chef stars a second chance to rejoin the competition. The companion series premieres its 13th season next Wednesday A top chef.

Ahn is sure to turn up the heat in the kitchen with his impressive resume. He started his career as a professional golfer. After a major turnaround on the culinary scene, he climbed the fine dining ladder in Chicago where he helped Band of Bohemia retain a Michelin star as executive chef. He is now the head chef at Adalina.

What to expect on A top chefNew season at Wisconsin: ‘People will be surprised,’ says Tom Colicchio (Exclusive)

Kitchen of the last chance competitors are not to be ignored. Several chefs have made it to the finals (and in some cases even won) after battling it out and rejoining the main Bravo chefs. Current host Kristen Kish, chefs Brooke Williamson and Joe Flamm eventually won their respective series after returning to the competition through the digital show.

During the trailer, Kish, Colicchio and fellow judge Gail Simmons teased an interesting season at Wisconsin. “There are a few new rules,” Kish said in a brief overview.

Judges Gail Simmon, Kristen Kish and Tom Colicchio.

Well done/ Stephanie Diani

“There will be no immunity given for a Quickfire win,” Colicchio added. (Quickfire Challenge winners were previously awarded a prize, perk, or most valuable: immunity during the Elimination Challenge.) Now, winners will only be safe from going home in the next episode if they win during the Elimination Challenge.

A top chef: Buddha Lo Talks Kristen Kish, Episode 1 Mistakes, and Which Chefs She’s ‘Looking Out For’

Buddha Lo, double A top chef winner, recapped the first episode of Season 21 for PEOPLE.

“Every season A top chef is amazing, but in Wisconsin it will be really exciting to see where the challenges go as they dive into the local cuisine and culture,” he wrote.

He also praised Kish for her first hosting stint.

Chef Soo Ahn.

David Moir/Bravo

“After watching (and competing in) so many episodes with Padma [Lakshmi]The first time I heard Kristen Kish, the voice gave me goosebumps. Everyone knew she had big shoes to fill, but she did an amazing job,” he added.

Last Chance Kitchen will be available at the end of each weekly episode of Top Chef on the Peacock. Top Chef airs Wednesdays at 9pm ET on Bravo.

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Source: HIS Education