Crista Luedtke, an American chef and TV personality, is among the few gay celebrities who boldly embrace their identity. In 2008, she made headlines by marrying Jill McCall, a marriage and family therapist. The two seemed like a perfect match—both career-driven and community-minded. However, their union lasted only two years before ending in divorce in 2010. Since then, many fans have been curious about her love life. So, who is Crista Luedtke married to now, and what has she been up to since her separation? Crista continues to influence the culinary world through her restaurants, television work, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. She remains a role model for living authentically and pursuing passion over convention. [PHOTO//COURTESY] Crista Luedtke’s Journey from Corporate Life to Culinary Stardom Before becoming a Food Network favorite, Crista Luedtke worked in the corporate world. Her family owned several restaurants in Wisconsin, but she initially took a different career path. However, her love for hospitality and food never left her.
In 2008, Crista left her corporate job in San Francisco to revive Guerneville, a quiet California town. She bought and renovated a struggling resort, transforming it into the Boon Hotel + Spa , a boutique retreat that combines luxury with nature. A year later, she opened Boon Eat + Drink , where she showcased her talent for simple, fresh, and locally inspired dishes.
Her success didn’t stop there. She co-founded Big Bottom Market in 2011, which gained national attention when Oprah included it in her Favorite Things list in 2016. Crista later became a founding partner of El Barrio , a craft cocktail lounge, before opening BROT , a modern German-inspired restaurant, in 2019.
Through her ventures, she not only revitalized Guerneville’s food scene but also created a culinary identity rooted in community and sustainability. Crista Luedtke Profile Summary Details Full name Crista Luedtke Gender Female Year of birth 1975 Age 50 years (as of 2025) Place of birth Wisconsin, USA Residence San Francisco, California Nationality American Ethnicity White Religion Christianity Sexual orientation Lesbian Relationship status Divorced Ex-spouse Jill McCall Profession Chef, hotelier, restaurateur, TV personality Crista Luedtke and Jill McCall’s Relationship Crista Luedtke and Jill McCall met years before their 2008 wedding. At the time, Jill was working as a marriage and family therapist. The pair dated for around seven years before deciding to make it official. Their marriage marked an important cultural moment for LGBTQ+ representation in the culinary and hospitality industries.
Together, they became business partners. The couple purchased the former Retreat Resort & Spa and rebranded it into the now-famous Boon Hotel + Spa. Their shared vision brought new life to Guerneville’s hospitality industry.
However, despite their professional success, their relationship didn’t last. The couple quietly divorced in 2010. Neither has shared specific details about the separation, preferring to focus on their respective careers.
Since their divorce, Crista has spoken about finding balance in her personal and professional life. Instead of rushing into another relationship, she chose to prioritize her mental health, business, and creativity. Is Crista Luedtke Married Now? No, Crista Luedtke is not married at the moment. Following her divorce from Jill McCall, she has remained single and devoted her energy to her culinary empire.
She continues to expand her Boon brand, manage her restaurants, and host TV shows. Crista is known for her appearances on Guy’s Grocery Games , Beat Bobby Flay , Tournament of Champions , and her travel and food show TasteBuds with Crista Luedtke , where she explores local cuisines across the U.S.
Crista’s career achievements have kept her in the public eye, but her love life has stayed private. She has not been linked to anyone romantically since her divorce, and fans often praise her for focusing on her passions rather than rushing back into a relationship. Luedtke’s Television Career and Impact Crista’s first major TV appearance came in 2013 on Guy’s Grocery Games . Her creativity and calm under pressure quickly made her a fan favorite. She later returned to win the Triple G Grand Champion title in 2015 and DDD GGG Super Teams Champion in 2020.
Beyond the competition shows, Crista uses her platform to promote inclusivity in the culinary world. Through TasteBuds with Crista Luedtke , she highlights diverse food traditions and the people behind them. Her storytelling blends adventure, authenticity, and appreciation for community. Show Year Role Guy’s Grocery Games 2013–Present Contestant and Champion Beat Bobby Flay 2013 Guest Chef Tournament of Champions 2020 Competitor TasteBuds with Crista Luedtke 2023–Present Host