Hilo Natives Competing in Top Chef, American Idol

Two of Hilo’s own are battling for recognition on national television.

Sheldon Simeon is one of three finalists in tonight’s opening of a two-part finale of Top Chef: Seattle. The trio of chefs will be cooking at Craft, a restaurant owned by lead judge Tom Colicchio, where one will be eliminated.

The episode airs at 8 p.m. Hawaii time on the Bravo network.

Next week the two remaining contestants will compete in the second part of the finale.

Simeon is currently the executive chef at Star Noodle in Lahaina, Maui.

Trained by the Culinary Institute of the Pacific and Maui Culinary Academy, he honed his craft at Disneyworld, where he also met his wife.

Simeon has already been recognized for his skills including being named by Food & Wine Magazine as a “Best new Chef People’s Choice” nominee last year. He was also a James Beard semifinalist for two categories in 2011, “Rising Star” and “Best New Restaurant.”

Bryant Tadeo, winner of several Big Island singing competitions, has made the top 40 in American Idol. Courtesy photo.

Another Hilo native, Bryant Tadeo, is in the group of 40 trying to stay alive in the 12^th season of American Idol.

The show has moved to Las Vegas where the contestants will try to survive sudden-death rounds.

Ten female singers perform tonight in Part 1 of Idol’s semifinals, while 10 of the guys will sing Thursday night. Both episodes air on Fox beginning at 7 p.m.

Tadeo is no stranger to local talent competitions. He is a former winner of “So You Think You Can Sing” at the Hawaii County Fair and Hawaiian Idol held at KB Extreme in Kona.