Columbus chef competing on Food Network show this spring

A Columbus native and renowned chef is throwing his hat into the ring for a chance to win big on an upcoming season of a Food Network show.  

Avishar Barua, chef and owner of Joya’s and Agni and no stranger to the Food Network—including champion in Beat Bobby Flay’s 33rd season and competitor on season 18 of Bravo’s Top Chef—will be competing in season 3 of the Food Network’s 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, the network announced March 20.

“i’m on season 3 of 24 in 24: last chef standing. which is exciting and also a terrible thing to willingly do to yourself,” Avishar said in an Instagram post. “I have thoughts. first thought: yes. second thought: what was i thinking? third thought: actually, no — yes.”

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Avishar is well-regarded for his Bengali-American cuisine, with signature dishes like the Cheesy Double Crunch Tacos and Kati Roll at Joya’s. He was also a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award “Best Chef: Great Lakes” in 2025.

24 in 24, hosted by Michael Symon and Esther Choi, sees 24 chefs take on 24 challenges in the span of 24 hours, testing their resourcefulness, teamwork, speed, and precision, among other things, during 3-hour shifts meant to emulate real-life scenarios for elite chefs. 

“24 chefs. 24 challenges. 24 straight hours. no sleep. Just adrenaline, bad decisions, and whatever your brain turns into into with the overflowing anticip-xiety,” Avishar expressed in his post. “Winner takes home $100,000 ; which is the most they’ve ever given out and also the exact amount of therapy i will need afterward.”

24 in 24: Last Chef Standing’s third season will premiere on the Food Network Sunday, April 26 and stream on HBO Max and discovery+. 

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