Stefan Richter

Stefan Richter (born July 2, 1972) is a chef from Finland, who has resided for many years in Santa Monica, California. He was a runner-up in the fifth season of Top Chef, Bravo's cooking competition show. Richter also competed in Top Chef (season 10).

Richter was a runner-up, along with Carla Hall, on the fifth season of Top Chef, and lost to Hosea Rosenberg. Overall, Richter had the strongest track record prior to the finale, winning four elimination challenges and four quickfires. Before viewing the finale of the show, Eric Ripert, who had been a guest judge on episode 11, said he considered Richter the strongest candidate to win the competition.

Richter has also appeared as a guest judge in the Finnish version of Top Chef.

In Top Chef (season 10), Richter returned as a contestant. He was eliminated in fifth place and ultimately lost Last Chance Kitchen to the eventual Top Chef winner Kristen Kish.

Yes, that is Stefan Richter(video below) swimming nude across the channel in Martha's Vineyard. The water was 46 degrees!!