Normally, I present this well in advance but IO was away on vacation when this information became available. Here is a summary of the background of the 18 initial competitors for HK9:
Elizabeth Bianchi, Age: 27, Line Cook, Hometown: New York, NY
Signature Dish: Pan-Roasted Quail
Natalie Blake, Age: 23, Sous Chef, Hometown: Harrodsburg, KY
Signature Dish: Lamb Chops
Amanda Colello, Age: 26, Personal Chef, Hometown: Sun City, CA
Signature Dish: Eggplant Rollatini with Creamy Polenta
Amanda Colello, Age: 26, Personal Chef, Hometown: Sun City, CA
Signature Dish: Eggplant Rollatini with Creamy Polenta
Carrie Keep, Age: 31, Pantry Chef, Hometown: Dallas, TX
Signature Dish: Chicken-Fried Rib Eye w/ Yukon Mashed Potatoes, White Truffle Cream Gravy
Gina Melcher, Age: 34, Restaurant Consultant, Hometown: Cape May, NJ
Signature Dish: Pistachio Scallops
Jennifer Normant, Age: 34, Chef de Cuisine, Hometown: Boston, MA
Signature Dish: Special Secret Pork with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Krupa Patel, Age: 30, Private Chef, Hometown: Queens, NY
Signature Dish: Stuffed Naan with Cilantro Chutney
Elise Wims, Age: 26, Line Cook, Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Signature Dish: Pesto Seared Scallops with Sauteed Escarole
Chino Chang, Age: 39, Executive Chef, Hometown: Hatboro, PA
Signature Dish: Korean BBQ Beef
Brendan Heavey, Age: 31, Head Chef, Hometown: Hoboken, NJ
Signature Dish: Salmon with Basil Cream Sauce
Monterray Keys, Age: 34, Line Cook, Hometown: Darby, PA
Signature Dish: Pan-Seared Sea Bass
Will Lustberg, Age: 31, Sous Chef, Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Signature Dish: Sheep’s Milk Ricotta Gnudi
Paul Niedermann, Age: 26, Junior Sous Chef, Hometown: Davie, FL
Signature Dish: Eggplant Involtini
Steven Paluba, Age: 44, Saute Chef, Hometown: Ridge, NY
Signature Dish: Seared Diver Scallops with Wild Mushroom Risotto
Jonathon Plumley, Age: 34, Head Cook, Hometown: Memphis, TN
Signature Dish: Punch-Drunk Chicken
Tommy Stevens, Age: 31, Line Cook, Hometown: Brewster, NY
Signature Dish: Toasted Coconut Crab Cake
Jason Zepaltas, Age: 29, Line Cook, Hometown: Chicago, IL
Signature Dish: Pork Tacos
Note that Jennifer as a Chef de Cuisine and Chino as an Executive chef have the most relevant experience. However, based on what I have seen in the first 3 episodes they are unlikely to survive to the midpoint of HK9.