Joe Sasto, a contestant on Season 6 of the Tournament of Champions, is more than just a chef; he is a television personality gaining recognition for his presence in various culinary competitions. Commonly referred to as ‘Mustache Joe’ thanks to his distinctive handlebar mustache, he operates out of both San Francisco and Los Angeles as an ambitious chef, author, and entrepreneur.
Interestingly, Sasto’s approach to his culinary career diverges from the traditional path most chefs take. Instead of attending culinary school, he graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. This educational background set the stage for his eventual transformation into the culinary world.
Exploring Joe Sasto’s Notable Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures
As per his official website, Joe Sasto is a celebrated chef located in Chicago and the mastermind behind Tantos, which claims to be the “first-ever & original puffed pasta chip.”His journey into cooking was influenced by his mother, who taught him classic Italian recipes from an early age. After completing his degree, he embarked on a culinary journey, securing mentorship under some of the Bay Area’s most illustrious chefs.
During his tenure at Quince in San Francisco, Joe discovered his rich passion for pasta. His role as Executive Sous Chef at Lazy Bear allowed him to connect with local farmers and embraced California’s seasonal bounty, which he integrated into his culinary creations.
“It was there he showcased elevated farm-to-table dining,”the website states.
His impressive culinary performance resulted in Lazy Bear earning two Michelin stars and Quince achieving three Michelin stars, marking significant milestones in his illustrious career.
In 2018, fueled by his desire to establish his unique dining experience, he traveled nationwide hosting private events and conducting pasta-making classes. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to online platforms, where he continued to share his pasta expertise through virtual sessions.
Joe’s engaging personality and multiple viral videos earned him a spot as a recurring judge on several Food Network programs. Besides Tournament of Champions, he has showcased his talents on shows like Guy’s Grocery Games, Chopped, Chef Grudge Match, Supermarket Stakeout, Top Chef, and Top Chef All Stars. In 2022, he was recognized on the Food Network’s Hot List.
As an entrepreneur, Joe launched Tantos in 2024, introducing a groundbreaking line of puffed pasta chips. His first cookbook, Breaking the Rules, is slated for release in Fall 2025, showcasing his culinary creativity. Additionally, he co-founded Ripi Foods, a frozen pasta company aiming for nationwide distribution.
Beyond his endeavors as a chef and entrepreneur, Joe dedicates time to menu consulting and recipe development for various restaurants, while enjoying quality time with his fiancée, Kait, and their dog, Tito.
Joe Sasto on Instagram: A Culinary Journey
Fans of Tournament of Champions can follow Joe Sasto on his official Instagram account, @chef.joe.sasto. With over 444K followers, his feed features a rich variety of content including recipes, clips from his television appearances, and heartfelt moments with his partner.
Joe effectively utilizes his platform to promote his pasta products through engaging recipe demonstrations. His bio conveniently includes links for pre-ordering his upcoming cookbook, as well as to his companies Tantos and Ripi Foods.
His most recent post, made on April 13, 2025, features an exciting snapshot from a recent episode of Tournament of Champions, where he competed against Lee Anne Wong for a place in the Top 4.
Season 6 of Tournament of Champions airs Sundays at 8 PM ET exclusively on the Food Network, bringing culinary enthusiasts thrilling competition and delicious inspiration.