Video: A Chat with Amanda Freitag
Competing for $50,000, the largest Chopped prize to date, 16 previous winners return to battle in a fierce five-part Chopped Champions event hosted by Ted Allen . Beginning Tuesday, August 31st at 10pm ET/PT, the contestants go head-to-head in four intense semi-final rounds to determine who will square off in the grand finale. Notable Chopped judges Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Geoffrey Zakarian , Marc Murphy and Chris Santos will determine which talented chefs advance, and which chefs go home as first-time losers. For more information visit: www.foodnetwork.com/chopped.

(Executive Chef of The Harrison in New York) graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked her way up from a rotissier in 1993 to one of New York's top chefs. The New Jersey native traveled through Europe becoming proficient in French techniques and now loves cooking with fresh ingredients and Mediterranean flavors. In 2007, Freitag joined The Harrison bringing the restaurant numerous accolades including a two-star review from The New York Times. Freitag has battled Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America, competed on season two of The Next Iron Chef, has a recurring role as a judge on Chopped and frequently appears on Unique Eats on Cooking Channel.