Cleetus Friedman Cut from 'Check, Please!' Host Finalists

Five people are still in the running for the new host of “Check, Please!” but Cleetus Friedman is not one of them.

The local chef celebrity made the top 17 out of more than 700 video submissions for the job after 10-year host Alpana Singh announced her retirement from the show. The resignation spurred a public search for the position.

“Check, Please!” Producer David Manilow announced five finalists Wednesday, which include food writers and restaurateurs from across the city. Writer Senam Amegashie, Tavern at the Park owner Donny de Castro, Culinary Curator President Catherine de Orio, magazine editor Sarah Levy or Ina’s owner Ina Pinkney will be the next host of the show.

A special episode of the show will air May 17 giving viewers a behind-the-scenes view of the search, with the new host announcement coming May 29.

After Friedman didn’t make the cut, he said he’d continue putting his energy into food at Fountainhead in Ravenswood and his online food series, debuting in May.

“Thank you so much for the tremendous support during the Check, Please! process. Now to keep focusing on the job at hand @thefountchicago,” Friedman tweeted after the announcement came Wednesday morning.

After closing his , Friedman became the head chef of Fountainhead restaurant. Less than a month in, he designed a completely new menu that included a rooftop patio option. 

Read more:

• What Cleetus is Cooking as Fountainhead's New Chef Fountainhead’s Beer and Whiskey-Centered Menu Debuts
• Cleetus Friedman to Star in 'Revolutionary' Food Series

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