Yes, Chef!’s Katsuji Tanabe Leaves Show in Episode 5, but Why?

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Curious about why Chef Katsuji Tanabe chose to part ways with NBC’s Yes, Chef! halfway through the season? The renowned chef and audience favorite competitor made an unexpected exit during Episode 5, leaving viewers puzzled and theories abuzz. With no proper goodbye, no elimination sequence, and just a brief remark from host José Andrés, Tanabe’s sudden departure left many unanswered questions.

So far, we’ve gathered some insights regarding Chef Katsuji’s unexpected departure from Yes, Chef! and the ensuing quietness in its aftermath.

What happened to Chef Katsuji Tanabe and why did he leave Yes, Chef!?

Chef Katsuji Tanabe abruptly exited Yes, Chef! during Episode 5, which aired on May 26, 2025.

When he left, he was still competing for the $250,000 top prize and had made it to the final seven contestants. However, during the rest of the episode, Tanabe wasn’t shown, with no clear on-screen reason given for his absence.

At approximately 4:40 into the broadcast, host José Andrés offered a single comment regarding the competition: “As you’ve observed this week, we began with one fewer chef than anticipated. Chef Katsuji unfortunately had to withdraw. So now, Martha, let’s proceed.” The show provided no additional details on the subject, and Tanabe was not referenced again for the remainder of the episode.

Tanabe, a restaurateur hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, specializing in a unique fusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisine, signed up for the popular reality TV show Yes, Chef! In the initial lineup of 12 contestants, NBC selected him for their competition that debuted on April 28, 2025. This exciting series puts talented chefs through rigorous cooking contests for a grand prize of $250,000.

Beyond the confines of the program, neither NBC nor Tanabe has disclosed the reason for his sudden departure. Contrary to other competitors who experienced formal dismissals, the show categorized his exit as a “withdrawal.

Instead of directly answering the numerous questions posted by his Instagram followers, he’s yet to address them. Remarkably, his unexpected exit seems reminiscent of other abrupt departures on culinary shows, such as Lauren Klein stepping down mid-season from Spring Baking Championship 2025 due to health issues.

To date, neither the network nor Tanabe has provided a formal clarification regarding their reasons for stepping away from the contest, maintaining a silence on this subject.

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2025-05-28 07:10