Twelve Aspiring Chefs Compete In A New Reality Competition Series For The Culinary Arts
Katie Lee Joel To Host; Renowned Chef Tom Colicchio And Food & Wine´s Gail Simmons To Judge
Off the heels of its Emmy-nominated hit PROJECT RUNWAY, Bravo proudly announces TOP CHEF, a new reality competition series offering a fascinating window into the competitive, pressure-filled environment of world-class cookery and the restaurant business at the highest level. The series will feature twelve aspiring chefs who head to San Francisco for their shot at culinary stardom and the chance to earn the prestigious title of TOP CHEF. The ten-episode, one-hour series celebrating the culinary arts will premiere Wednesday, March 15 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
"Bravo provides a definitive voice and perspective to creative disciplines, and TOP CHEF delivers a delicious look at the fiercely competitive world of the culinary arts," said Lauren Zalaznick, President, Bravo. "Just as we´ve done with other Bravo hit series, we will be introducing some unique and extreme personalities that will not only reveal their dedication and high standards to make it to the top of this intense discipline--but also will create some truly intense, nail biting drama that Bravo´s shows are known for!"
Each episode of TOP CHEF holds two challenges for the chefs. The first is a quickfire test of their basic abilities and the second is a more involved elimination challenge designed to test the versatility and invention of the chefs as they take on unique culinary trials such as working with unusual and exotic foods or catering for a range of demanding clients. The food will be tasted and evaluated by the host and judges, but will also be served to the customers for whom the challenge is aimed, whether it be patrons at a five star restaurant or a room full of hungry kids. Food has to appeal to the diner as well as the critics if the chef is to survive.
Katie Lee Joel will host this authentic portrayal of the inspired and often cutthroat world of the culinary arts. Katie´s lifelong passion for excellent cuisine began at an early age when she first learned to cook from her grandmother while growing up in West Virginia. Katie co-created the culinary website www.oliveandpeach.com, and her culinary and lifestyle column, "East End Girl," is published weekly in HAMPTONS MAGAZINE and will soon be a part of its sister publication, GOTHAM. Tom Colicchio, one of the culinary world´s most celebrated figures and co-owner of New York City´s Gramercy Tavern and Craft Restaurants, serves as mentor to the competing chefs and guides them through the stringent challenges that will not only test their skills in the kitchen, but also uncover if they have the customer service, management and teamwork abilities required of a TOP CHEF. Expert Gail Simmons from FOOD & WINE magazine will serve as a regular judge for the series, and each week some of the food world´s most renowned talents will guest judge, including Hubert Keller of San Francisco´s Fleur de Lys, who helps critique the competing chef´s preparation of their signature dish in the premiere episode elimination challenge.
The competing chefs will live and breathe the high-pressure lifestyle that comes with being a master chef, and each week someone will be asked to "pack up their knives" and go home. In the end, only one will make it through the last spectacular episode to take the title of TOP CHEF. With backgrounds ranging from culinary graduates and students to personal celebrity chefs to a self-taught mother of three, the twelve competing chefs are:
Stephen Asprinio, 24 - Las Vegas, NV
Kenneth Lee, 31 - Dublin, Ireland; LA, CA
Andrea Beaman, 37 - New York, NY
Dave Martin, 40 - Los Angeles, CA
Harold Dieterle, 28 - New York, NY
Miguel Morales, 27 - New York, NY
Tiffani Faison, 28 - Las Vegas, NV
Lisa Parks, 45 - Los Angeles
Brian Hill, 36 - Los Angeles, CA
Cynthia Sestito, 54 - East Hampton, NY
Candice Kumai, 23 - Pasadena, CA
Le Anne Wong, 28 - New York, NY
The winning chef will receive $100,000 in seed money to help encourage their culinary career, be featured in FOOD & WINE magazine, appear at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen in June 2006, and most importantly, earn the prestigious title of TOP CHEF.
The series is shot on location in the innovative cuisine destination of San Francisco and the Bay Area, with the grand finale in Las Vegas, a city now home to some of the country´s most respected chefs and popular fine dining establishments.
