Host Padma Lakshmi

More from Bravo, which is casting chefs to compete in the show’s sixth season. Here’s the press release.

And by the way, if you want a chuckle, read the legal disclaimer at the bottom. I get a lot of press releases, but they rarely tell me NOT to disseminate information.

BRAVO KICKS OFF NATIONWIDE CASTING CALL FOR SEASON SIX OF “TOP CHEF”

NEW YORK - February 3, 2009 - Bravo’s Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series and the No. 1 rated food show on cable, “Top Chef,” will be returning for a sixth season. Open calls for chefs interested in competing in the high-stakes culinary competition series will be held in cities across the country starting this weekend.

“Top Chef” Season Six Casting Calls are as follows:

SAN FRANCISCO

Sunday, February 8, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Ducca Restaurant & Lounge

www.duccasf.com/

SEATTLE

Wednesday, February 11, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Canlis Restaurant

www.canlis.com

ATLANTA

Sunday, February 22, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Craft Restaurant

www.craftatlanta.com/

NEW YORK

Sunday, March 1, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

CraftSteak Restaurant

www.craftrestaurant.com/craftsteak_newyork.html

PHILADELPHIA

Wednesday, March 4, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

XIX NINETEEN at Park Hyatt at the Bellevue
www.nineteenrestaurant.com

LOS ANGELES

Sunday, March 15, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Craft Restaurant

www.craftrestaurant.com/craft_losangeles_style.html
CHICAGO

For casting information in Chicago, please email TCCastingChicago@gmail.com

Bravo’s “Top Chef” offers a fascinating window into the competitive, pressure-filled environment of world-class cookery and the restaurant business at the highest level. The series - hosted by Padma Lakshmi and presided by head judge Chef Tom Colicchio - features aspiring chefs who compete for their shot at culinary stardom and the chance to earn the prestigious title of “Top Chef.” Each episode holds two challenges for the chefs. The first is a quick-fire test of their basic abilities and the second is a more involved elimination challenge designed to test the versatility and inventiveness 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 challenges 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. The competing chefs live and breathe the high-pressure lifestyle that comes with being a master chef, and each week someone is asked to “pack up their knives” and go home.

Currently in its fifth season, “Top Chef” is on pace to record its highest-rated season ever, scoring 2.28 million adults 18-49 and 3.22 million total viewers with last week’s episode, which was the series’ highest rated non-finale telecast ever. The series is up 18 percent among adults 18-49 and total viewers, versus season four.

Tomorrow on “Top Chef: New York,” the chef’testants get the opportunity to cook in one of the best restaurants in the world, three star Michelin winner Le Bernardin. Their final product will be judged by renowned chef, Eric Ripert. “Top Chef: New York” airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.

“Top Chef” is produced by the Emmy-nominated Magical Elves. Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz (”Project Runway,” “Top Design”) serve as executive producers.

Source: Nielsen Media Research Live + Same Day through 1/28/09

Bravo is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBC Universal cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information, visit www.BravoTV.com.

# # #
Cynthia Arntzen
FerenComm
380 Lexington Avenue, Suite 517
New York, NY 10168
212-983-9898
cynthiaa@ferencomm.com

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