WASHINGTON -- Chefs aren't exactly known for their healthy habits but a new initiative from the American Cancer Society is trying to change that.


More than a dozen Washington area chefs and mixologists are competing in the three-month Fit For Hope challenge, which culminates on September 24 at Taste of Hope at the Carnegie Library.


The friendly competition -- because we all know that chefs aren't competitive at all, right? -- pits big-name D.C. chefs like "Top Chef" alums Mike Isabella and Bryan Voltaggio against each other in a weight loss challenge to promote cancer awareness.


Click through the slideshow to see the chefs' BEFORE photos. (Not pictured: Will Artley, executive chef of Pizzeria Orso, and Art Smith of Art and Soul.) Story continues below...





  • All participants at the first weigh-in




  • Anthony Acinapura (Executive chef, Brasserie Beck)




  • Anthony Acinapura (Executive chef, Brasserie Beck)




  • Bryan Voltaggio (Chef/owner, VOLT, Lunchbox, Family Meal, RANGE)




  • Bryan Voltaggio (Chef/owner, VOLT, Lunchbox, Family Meal, RANGE)




  • Derek Brown (Owner, The Passenger, Columbia Room, Mockingbird Hill, Eat The Rich)




  • Derek Brown (Owner, The Passenger, Columbia Room, Mockingbird Hill, Eat The Rich)




  • Frederik de Pue (Chef/owner, Azur, Table)




  • Frederik de Pue (Chef/owner, Azur, Table)




  • Marjorie Meek-Bradley (Executive chef, Ripple)




  • Marjorie Meek-Bradley (Executive chef, Ripple)




  • Matt Hill (Executive chef, RANGE)




  • Matt Hill (Executive chef, RANGE)




  • Maziar Farivar (Chef/Owner, Peacock Café)




  • Maziar Farivar (Chef/Owner, Peacock Café)




  • Mike Isabella (Chef/owner, Graffiato, G, Kapnos, G Grab and Go)




  • Mike Isabella (Chef/owner, Graffiato, G, Kapnos, G Grab and Go)




  • RJ Cooper (Chef/owner, Rogue 24)




  • RJ Cooper (Chef/owner, Rogue 24)




  • Ryan Wheeler (Corporate chef, Eat Good Food Group)




  • Ryan Wheeler (Corporate chef, Eat Good Food Group)




  • Scott Drewno (Executive chef, The Source by Wolfgang Puck)




  • Scott Drewno (Executive chef, The Source by Wolfgang Puck)




  • Shannon Overmiller (Chef, The Majestic)




  • Shannon Overmiller (Chef, The Majestic)




  • Todd Thrasher (General manager/sommelier/liquid savant, Restaurant Eve, The Majestic, PX, Society Fair, TNT)




  • Todd Thrasher (General manager/sommelier/liquid savant, Restaurant Eve, The Majestic, PX, Society Fair, TNT)




  • Victor Albisu (Chef/owner, Del Campo, Taco Bamba)




  • Victor Albisu (Chef/owner, Del Campo, Taco Bamba)




  • Trainers Monica Pampell (owner, PentaFit) and Jason Yoo (owner, Team Yoo Sport Taekwando; Olympic Taekwando trainer), and Pilates instructor Chauna Bryant




  • Team Jason




  • Team Monica





Like on "The Biggest Loser," the chefs will be divided into two teams, led by local trainers Monica Pampell and Jason Yoo. Winners will be crowned at Taste of Hope based on the percentage of body weight lost, and the top three "losers" will be rewarded with a makeover from Bloomingdale's.


Each chef has also committed to raise a minimum of $2,500 for the ACS.


“I am honored to co-host Taste of Hope with the American Cancer Society in its first year in D.C., and I appreciate all the chefs and mixologists who are donating their time and talent to make this event a success,” Isabella said in a release. “Fit for Hope will be an incredible challenge, but if anyone is up for the challenge and the competition, it’s my friends in the restaurant industry.”


According to the American Cancer Society,


Each year, more than 572,000 Americans die of cancer; about one-third of these deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and carrying too much weight.

Obesity is associated with a range of cancers:


Obesity is associated with increased risks of cancers of the esophagus, breast (postmenopausal), endometrium (the lining of the uterus), colon and rectum, kidney, pancreas, thyroid, gallbladder, and possibly other cancer types.




  • Kelly Clarkson




  • Kirstie Alley




  • America Ferrera




  • Rihanna




  • Marc Jacobs




  • Khloe Kardashian




  • Carson Daly




  • Christina Ricci




  • Courtney Love




  • Hilary Duff




  • Jennifer Hudson




  • Jonah Hill




  • Jordin Sparks




  • Kelly Osbourne




  • Lea Michele




  • LeAnn Rimes




  • Miley Cyrus




  • Nicole Richie




  • Raven Symone




  • Seth Rogen




  • Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi




  • Jenni 'JWOWW' Farley





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