If you watched Season 11 of Food Network Star, you probably remember the kid with the smirks and the hashtags. Matthew Grunwald was 22, incredibly talented, and—to be completely honest—one of the most polarizing contestants to ever step foot in that kitchen. He didn't just walk in; he strutted. While other chefs were talking about their grandmothers' recipes, he was trying to sell a "social media POV" before that was even a mainstream thing.
He was the guy who got sent home because he couldn't stop smiling during an elimination.
Seriously.
Giada De Laurentiis actually changed her mind about who was leaving because Matthew had a "sly smirk" on his face while his fellow contestant was being criticized. It was one of the most awkward moments in the show’s history. But if you think that was the end of his story, you've missed the best parts. The "hashtag chef" didn't just disappear into the Arizona heat. He actually went on a years-long redemption arc that most reality TV fans totally overlooked.
Why Everyone Loved to Hate Matthew Grunwald
Let’s be real: at 22, Matthew was a lot. He was the youngest finalist in his season, and he made sure everyone knew he had the experience of someone twice his age. He started in kitchens at 16. He was a food writer at 17. The kid had chops, but his personality was like a double shot of espresso that nobody asked for.
His first stint on Season 11 lasted exactly two weeks.
The mentors, Bobby Flay and Giada, were baffled by his "Food News Today" concept. He kept throwing out hashtags like they were seasoning. #Delicious. #Youthful. It felt forced. It felt like he was trying too hard to be the "millennial voice" of the network. When he got the boot in Week 2, most viewers breathed a sigh of relief.
But Food Network clearly saw something in him. Or maybe they just saw the ratings. Either way, they kept bringing him back. He popped up on Star Salvation, Cutthroat Kitchen, and eventually Comeback Kitchen.
The Redemption Arc (And the Heartbreak)
By the time Season 13 rolled around, Matthew Grunwald was a different person. Sorta. He’d ditched the obnoxious social media jargon. He stopped saying "hashtag" every five seconds and started talking about his actual food—Southwestern cuisine with a refined, elegant twist.
He actually won Comeback Kitchen to earn a spot back in the main competition.
This is where the story gets kinda gut-wrenching for his fans. He fought his way to the final four. He was right there. He had matured, his food was consistently hitting the mark, and he’d finally learned how to talk to a camera without looking like he was trying to sell you a crypto scam.
Then came the finale.
The judges had to pick three people to film pilots. They chose Jason Smith (the fan favorite), Cory Bahr, and Rusty Hamlin. Matthew was the one left standing in the cold. Despite being the most improved and arguably the most "TV-ready" in terms of technical skill, he was sent home right before the finish line. His post-match interview was devastating. You could see the three years of effort crashing down on him.
Where is Matthew Grunwald Now?
If you're looking for him on your TV screen every Saturday morning, you're going to be disappointed. He didn't get that Food Network show. However, he didn't quit the industry either.
Matthew eventually moved into the corporate side of the culinary world. He took a high-level role as a Corporate Executive Chef of National Accounts for Nestlé Professional. It sounds a lot less glamorous than having your face on a billboard in Times Square, but in the chef world, it’s a massive gig. He went from being the "hashtag kid" to managing major accounts for one of the biggest food companies on the planet.
He also rebranded a bit. Some fans noticed he started going by Matthew Jordan or Matt Jordan on social media and in some professional circles. Whether that was to escape the "villain" edit of his Food Network days or just a personal choice, it marked a clear shift in his public persona.
Is he still in Arizona?
For a long time, he was the golden boy of the Scottsdale food scene. He worked at elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain under Chef Beau MacMillan. He was even voted one of the most influential people in "Valley Food" by local magazines.
While he's been more low-key lately, he still pops up on social media (check out @chefmatttv if you want to see his current vibe). He’s much more focused on high-end technique now than "viral" gimmicks.
What We Can Learn From the "Hashtag" Era
Looking back, Matthew was actually right about a lot of things. He saw the intersection of food and social media years before Food Network really leaned into TikTok and Instagram Reels. He was just... early. And maybe a little too aggressive with the delivery.
If you're a fan of the show or an aspiring creator, there are a few takeaways from his journey:
- Maturity matters more than talent: Matthew was arguably the best cook in the room most days, but his attitude held him back for years.
- Redemption is possible: He went from the most hated contestant to someone people were actually rooting for by Season 13.
- The "Edit" isn't everything: Reality TV needs a villain. Matthew played the part, but his career post-show proves he had the professional depth to back up the talk.
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to see the "new" Matthew, skip the Season 11 reruns and find his appearances on Chopped or Guy's Grocery Games from 2018 onwards. You’ll see a chef who finally figured out how to balance his personality with his plate. You can also follow his current culinary projects through his professional LinkedIn or Instagram updates to see how corporate R&D chefs actually influence what ends up on your dinner table.
Whatever you think of his "smirking" phase, you have to respect a guy who refused to take "no" for an answer across three different seasons of television. He might not have been the Food Network Star, but he’s definitely a survivor in a brutal industry.