SPOTLIGHT
Q&A WITH THE NEW CHEFS by tony reverditto For the aficionados that are hungering for more of Bravo’s Top Chef , the wait
is over; season nine of the Emmy-Award winning mega-hit is back. The setting is the Lone Star State—Texas, with a record 29 chefs hoping they have what it takes to become an official chef-testant and wear one of the coveted Top Chef coats. Sixteen will “officially” go on to compete in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio and will be faced with many twists and turns and never-before-seen challenges. The winner will receive $125,000 furnished by Healthy Choice, a feature in Food & Wine Magazine and a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado. Beautiful host Padma Lakshmi will be saddling up with lead judge, Chef Tom
Colicchio and Gail Simmons from Top Chef: Just Desserts, for the festivities. Two guest judges will also be on the scene—famed chef and restaurateur, Emeril Lagasse and critically acclaimed chef and Top Chef Master alumnus, Hugh Acheson (interviewed in this issue). Some of the biggest names in food, music and entertainment will visit, including Charlize Theron, Pee-Wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love and Patti LaBelle. In a new twist this season, eliminated chef-testants will get a second chance
at the Top Chef title—you may be wondering how. Through the Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen competition! Each week, two eliminated chefs face-off to com- pete for a chance to return to the show and to requalify for the on-air finale. Fans can follow the Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen challenges and vote in each week’s Tweet Battle on
bravotv.com. Top Chef: Texas premieres on Wednes- day, November 2 on Bravo. The shows are taped in advance so mum’s the word on any outcome or win-
ner until the finale airs. Five of the 29 hopefuls, are accomplished Los Ange- les- based chefs, I asked each of them the same questions and their answers couldn’t be more different . . .
52 RAGE monthly | NOVEMBER 2011
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