Here, finally, is the date for the “Top Chef” tour stop in St. Louis. I’ll give you Bravo’s full release; go all the way to the bottom for info on how to apply for free admission. Still no word on which “chef’testants” will appear here. (Sam! Sam! Sam!)

BRAVO’S “TOP CHEF: THE TOUR” EMBARKS ON 20-CITY PROMOTIONAL TOUR BEGINNING SAT., JUNE 21, 2008

Fans And Cable Affiliates From New York To Denver To San Francisco Enjoy The Ultimate Culinary Experience Through September

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. – June 16, 2008 – NBC Universal (NBCU) today announced the first of 20-city stops for Bravo’s “Top Chef: The Tour,” which kicks off in Jericho, NY on Long Island (Whole Foods Market, 429 North Broadway in the Birchwood Shopping Center) on Sat., June 21, 2008. The promotional tour will feature a customized traveling “Top Chef” 18-wheeler semi-truck and will offer Bravo’s passionate fans and cable affiliate partners with the unique opportunity to experience the hit series in their hometowns. Watch what happens when “Top Chef: The Tour” pulls up to a farmers market or food festival in the following cities:

Boston, MA      July 1
Philadelphia, PA        July 4
Pittsburgh, PA  July 9
Columbus, OH    July 12
St. Louis, MO   July 16
Denver, CO      July 19
Phoenix, AZ     July 26
San Diego, CA   July 30
San Francisco, CA       August 2, 3
Los Angeles, CA August 8
Des Moines, IA  August 16
Detroit, MI             August 23
Madison, WI     August 27
Chicago, IL     September 3, 4
Raleigh, NC     September 13
Tampa, FL               September 20
Orlando, FL     September 24
Atlanta, GA     September 27
New York, NY    TBD

“We’re excited to provide our cable affiliates and food enthusiasts with an interactive gourmet cooking experience from cable’s number one food show,” said Brian Hunt, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Sales Strategy, TV Networks Distribution, NBC Universal. “This tour is a unique promotional opportunity designed to bring the hit series to life for fans throughout the country.”

In each city, select “Top Chef” chef’testants will host four live interactive shows, three for fans in attendance and one private show for cable affiliate partners over one or two days. Cooking demonstrations, gourmet tips, show secrets, and food tastings will be highlighted on the “Top Chef” truck, an impressive 48-foot self-sufficient moving vehicle equipped with power and water. The truck, which includes a state-of-the-art kitchen with the capacity to accommodate 38 guests per seating, also allows for addressing 300 people in an open-air setting. And, HD cameras will offer a live-feed of the chefs at work on 42” screens.

Cable affiliates will have the opportunity to partner with the number one food show on cable, and will receive:

·       One cooking demonstration reserved for affiliates/select local advertiser
·       Taggable spot promoting “Top Chef: The Tour”
·       Logo placement inside the truck
·       A sampling of cable affiliate products and services/advertising sampling available on site
·       Promotional spots on plasma televisions inside the truck
·       Inclusion in local marketing tactics
·       Meet and greets with chef’testants
·       Publicity efforts

To sign up for free admission and learn more about “Top Chef: The Tour” visit Bravo’s website.