He's known for his skills in the kitchen, but these days, BeetleCat executive chef Andrew Isabella is getting as much attention for his smile as he does for his sous vide.
Isabella is one of 10 finalists in the running for People's Sexiest Chef Alive 2018 title. The winner will be named Nov. 1 on the Food Network special People Magazine: Sexiest Chef Alive and in People's Sexiest Man Alive issue, which comes out Nov. 9.
Isabella first came to the attention of producers after his lobster roll was named the world's best in a contest sponsored by a magazine in Maine earlier this year.
The only chef from the south, Isabella's competition for sexiest chef includes Seattle chef Edouardo Jordan, who won two James Beard Awards earlier this year; Jordan Andino of New York, the host of Cooking Channel's "Late Night Eats"; and Washington, D.C. chef Eric Adjepong, who will compete on the upcoming season of "Top Chef."
In a recent interview with the AJC, the father of two said he thought it was a joke when he was contacted about being a finalist.
“I got a phone call and I thought I was being punked,” he said. “It was like, ‘No, this is happening.’”
He said he’s never considered himself sexy and hasn’t worked out in at least 12 years, but still considers it a “huge honor” to be named a finalist.
“I’m comfortable with my dad bod,” he told People. “You can still have those cuddle moments but also some of that daddy strength. Some people are built for speed and some people are built for comfort!”
He said for the most part he hasn’t been treated differently since the list was released, in part because he hasn’t told many people, though he said his wife has noticed an uptick in new female followers on his Instagram account in the past few days. He said his dad is the most excited about his finalist status -- ”He thinks he had a huge part in it,” he jokes about their shared genetics.
Isabella, who doesn’t own a TV, said he will likely watch the Food Network special at a friend’s house with a couple of beers. And what will he do if he wins top honors?
“I haven’t thought that far ahead,” he said. “But I don’t know that anything will change.”
Outside of Food Network and People, you can find Isabella -- and his food -- at BeetleCat at 299 North Highland Ave. NE in Inman Park.
You can also tweet your choice for Sexiest Chef Alive at @people and @peoplefood and using the hashtag #sexiestchef.
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