Chef Cliff has been cooking in prominent kitchens throughout New York City for more than 20 years. Prior to joining BLT Restaurant Group in 2010 as Executive Chef of BLT Steak New York, he held positions at Salute!, Blue Water Grill and Gramercy Tavern.

Chef Cliff has appeared as a contestant on Top Chef and a judge on Hell's Kitchen as well as Chopped Junior, Food Network’s Tournament of Champions, and Worst Cooks in America. His first hosting role was for Chef’s Boot Camp.

Cliff Crooks and his food has been heavily influenced by his time living in Taiwan with his father. He describes that time as a “fantastic experience that taught me at an early age to be open-minded about all kinds of food."