This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Water Grill Names Top Chef-testant Baumgarten Executive Chef
Following the recent departure of Chef David LeFevre, Downtown's perennial dining favorite the Water Grill has named Amanda Baumgarten the restaurant's new Executive Chef. Baumgarten, already in the kitchen as the seafood restaurant's sous chef, gained attention as one of the Chef-testants on the 7th season of the Bravo series Top Chef. She emerged victorious in her bid for the job at the Water Grill from a batch of national contenders. Her previous gigs include being the Executive Sous Chef at Ford's Filling Station.