See who’s the new Huntsville Rocket Chef 2026

On Feb. 9, Huntsville’s new Rocket Chef emerged from a four-way competition that raised over $30,000 for a local nonprofit, Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center.

And the winner is . . . Chef Sam Buchanan of Revivalist!

Read on to learn more about the competition, who it helps and how to experience these chefs’ talents yourself.

4 top chefs, 1 Rocket Chef title

Rocket Chef marked its 11th year as a fundraising event for Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center, which provides visual and performing arts education to people with disabilities through classes, programs and summer camps.

In a competition that’s similar to Food Network’s show “Chopped,” four local chefs receive three rounds of “mystery baskets” of ingredients to race the clock in preparing dishes onstage in front of an audience of around 600 people. Before the showdown, guests mingle and enjoy tastings of each chef’s signature dishes.

Ingredients leftover from the competition are donated to the Manna House food distribution center.

The 2026 line-up featured:

• Chef Mariah Wandler of St. Paddy’s Wagon Food Truck @st.paddys.wagon – Huntsville
• Chef Sam Buchanan of Revivalist @revivalisthuntsville – Huntsville
• Chef Ryan Yokley of The Southern Table @the_southern_table – Athens
• Chef Yurii Kliemientiev of Chef Montana Private Chef @chef.montana.al – Huntsville

Rocket Chef Winner: Chef Sam Buchanan

Rocket Chef 2026 winner Buchanan joined Revivalist in spring 2024, when he took on the role of executive chef, overseeing operations of the restaurant as well as Baker & Able, both located within the 106 Jefferson hotel in downtown Huntsville.

Buchanan has built his accomplished career at respected restaurants across the country, including Yountville, California, New York and our fellow Southern cities of Birmingham, Nashville and Atlanta.

Have you dined at Revivalist? If not, go discover your next favorite dish!

😋 Revivalist

• Where: Downtown Huntsville, 106 Jefferson St S, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Hours: Mon.-Fri., 6:30AM-10PM; Sat.-Sun., 7AM-10PM
• Website | Instagram | Facebook

People’s Choice Winner: Chef Ryan Yokley

The People’s Choice Award was awarded to Chef Ryan Yokley of The Southern Table in Athens, whose supporters contributed the most money at $5,313.

Together, the four chefs raised $10,713 for the cause through People’s Choice Award fan votes.

Have you tried The Southern Table? If not, you should! And if bread pudding is on the dessert menu, get it.

😋 The Southern Table

• Where: Downtown Athens, 105 N Jefferson St, Athens, AL 35611
• Hours: Tues.-Thurs., 11AM-9PM; Fri., 11AM-10PM; Sat., 5-10PM; Sun., 10AM-3PM
• Website | Instagram | Facebook