Leon Brunson is one of the stars of Hulu’s Secret Chef. He is working as a private chef in Florida and has appeared in several other publications. Learn about his wife, parents, and more in this article below.
Keep scrolling down to learn more about her.
Leon Brunson On Hulu’s Secret Chef
Leon Brunson, a chef from Tallahassee, is one of the groundbreaking group of 10 chefs and social media influencers featured on the upcoming Hulu Originals program “Secret Chef,” which debuts on June 29. David Chang, a chef and executive producer, came up with the idea for the challenge, which sets competitors against one another in a series of blind tastings where they also serve as judges.
No one can tell who cooked what because they are playing the game in a secret underground lair while being offered a variety of difficulties. As a component of a labyrinth connected by a network of conveyor belts, they are each equipped with a separate kitchen.
The candidates compete for the $100,000 ultimate prize while being staged apart from one another.
Additionally, a naughty animated hat plays pranks on the competitors by attempting to derail their cooking skills. Creating a gourmet TV meal was one of the challenges. Another one involved creating a dish other than gumbo using the ingredients for gumbo. The 10-episode miniseries is binge-worthy and elevates cuisine to new artistic heights, forcing Leon to compete on a strange and occasionally unsettling level.
“This felt like a culinary Olympics over a three-week period that tested every single thing about food for me so it was a wonderful experience,” Leon talked about the show.
“It’s worth the watch. I will tell you that,” said Leon, in a recent interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. “I mention Tallahassee quite a bit, and I can’t tell how I did but I think there’s enough Leon content in this show. I’ll just put it like that.”
“I’ve got to say, that was the most difficult thing I think I’ve ever done in my culinary career and I’m opening two restaurants,” he told the local outlet.
According to Leon, the Secret Chef opportunity came his way after the show’s producers stumbled across his Instagram page. He added that he was originally wary of the show’s mysterious pitch to be a participant. It all made sense once he arrived on site, and he is appreciative of the opportunity.
Leon Brunson Career
At Waffle House, Leon Brunson got his start as a short-order cook. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to go to college, but he was certain that he like the way cooking made him feel. Although education was crucial, there was nothing more exciting than being in a kitchen. Leon made the decision to enroll in culinary school in 2013. He worked his way up in restaurants while still in school to gain practical experience and formal training.
Leon got his degree in neuroscience from Florida State University but had his eyes on something else. “When it came down to graduating everyone’s like ‘Oh, I want to be a doctor. I want to be an engineer.’ I was like well, I think I kind of like this feeling of cooking,” said Leon told WTXL.
Before completing culinary school in 2015, his father had a potentially fatal brain aneurysm. He chose Florida State University to complete his neuroscience undergraduate degree. In 2018, he earned his bachelor’s degree, at which point he understood that cooking was his passion. He currently hosts weddings, corporate cooking, cooking workshops, and private dinners
Prior to beginning his career as a private chef, Leon assisted Kool Beanz Cafe pastry chef Sylvia Gould. He quickly went into business for himself as a private chef, offering catering and cooking lessons. These days, he brings his talents outside of the kitchen and into the homes of his clients.
Secret Chef isn’t Leon Brunson’s first time competing in a kitchen. Among other online programs, he also appeared on T-Pain’s LG Homestyle Challenge on Twitch. However, according to a Tallahassee Democrat interview, Leon’s upcoming Hulu show was the most difficult of the four so far.
In the “Kitchen League” in 2021, Leon also assisted Olivia Culpo, a former Miss America and Miss Universe 2012, and in the chef division of the 2022 World Chef Championship, Leon took third place.
In 2023, Leon intends to debut his much-anticipated name-brand eatery at the Cottages of Lake Ella. Additionally, he’s opening Leon’s Catering Cottage at a nearby location, enabling him to sell cooking supplies and ready-to-eat food like homemade sauces and rubs. The first Leon’s Restaurant site is scheduled to open this summer, and the second one will follow in the fall.
Furthermore, Leon is the owner of Leon’s at Lake Ella in Tallahassee, Florida.
Leon also worked at Firefly, The Pearl RB, and Kool Beanz Cafe.
Who Are Leon Brunson Parents?
Leon Brunson is the son of Cecil Brunson and Maria Brunson.
Cecil turned 61 years old in August 2022. He may have worked as a PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR at the City of Parker.
Maria is 62 years old and is originally from Texas.
In 2014, Leon shared that his father had a life-threatening brain aneurysm out of nowhere at 53 years old. A helicopter flew him to Shands Hospital in Gainesville and saved his life. After numerous surgeries, physical therapies, and tears and his dad is healthy and well.
When Leon was in a coma he remember telling him that no matter what he would make him proud. Leon concluded the post, “Every time he tells me he’s proud of me I get emotional and remember my promise to him. It was the reason I majored in neuroscience. I haven’t been home as much as need to be but this picture will be one of my favorites for a while. Love you, Dad.”
In January 2021, Leon surprised his mom with an instant pot. He shared, “My mom has NEVER been a great chef but she fed the family and kept us happy. As I started to cook more, everything I did she would be so impressed by. It made me so happy!! She called me asking if I had ever heard of an instant pot and was telling me how amazing it looked so I surprised her with one. Now she sends me pictures of recipes she makes and has gotten in the kitchen more. It makes me so happy.”
Leon has one sister named Adrianna Poppell who was once married to James Poppell. She is a mother of two beautiful daughters. She studied Dental Hygiene at Gulf Coast State College and attended Rutherford High School, in Panama City, Florida.
Leon Brunson Age
As of July 2023, Leon Brunson is 28 years old.
Leon Brunson Wife
Leon Burnson is not married to have a wife but he is now in a relationship with his girlfriend Pria Hubbard. They have been in a relationship since 2022. On their first dating anniversary in March 2023, Leon posted on his Facebook, “Wow it’s been a year already?! Time really does fly by when you’re having fun! Let’s go for another.”
About Pria, she is a Florida native. She studied Pharmacy at Florida A&M University and went to Miramar High School.
Leon Brunson Height
Leon Brunson’s height measures under 5 feet 11 inches.
Related FAQs
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Where Is Leon Brunson From?
Originally from Panama City, Florida, Leon Brunson is currently residing in Tallahassee, Florida.
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When Is Leon Brunson Birthday?
Leon Brunson celebrates his birthday on 11 November.
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Is Leon Brunson On Instagram And Facebook?
Yes, Leon Brunson is on Instagram (@leoncbrunson) and Facebook (@leonbrunson).
