Topic: Top Chef New York Season 5

[marigold]

Top Chef New York Season 5

BIG APPLE, BIG STAKES - BRAVO'S "TOP CHEF: NEW YORK" PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AT 10 PM ET/PT

Released by Bravo



17 Sizzling New Chefs Take To Gotham Along With Guest Judges And Stars Including Martha Stewart, Foo Fighters, Jean-Georges, Eric Ripert, Natasha Richardson And New Judge Toby Young

NEW YORK October 1, 2008 Bright knives, Big city. The fifth season of the No. 1 food show on cable, Bravo's Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series returns with "Top Chef: New York," premiering a super-sized episode Wednesday, November 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The 17 new chef'testants take on The Big Apple this season to see if they have what it takes to become Top Chef. Once again returning to the kitchen, cookbook author, actress and host Padma Lakshmi presides over the judge's table alongside head judge Tom Colicchio, renowned culinary figure and chef/owner Craft Restaurants, and judge Gail Simmons, of Food & Wine Magazine. This season introduces new judge Toby Young, food critic and best-selling author of the book "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People," which was the basis for an upcoming film. In what will prove to be the most challenging season yet, some of the biggest names in food, music and entertainment including Martha Stewart, Foo Fighters, Jean-Georges, Eric Ripert, Rocco DiSpirito, Wylie Dufresne, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Natasha Richardson will be featured this season on "Top Chef: New York."

"Being in New York this season, we've upped the ante because this is our home turf so the pressure's on for the chefs to impress us," said Colicchio.

The 17 "Top Chef: New York" chef'testants will be skewered down week by week as they compete to out-flavor, out-cook and out-do their competition. The winning chef will receive $100,000 in seed money to help open a restaurant, furnished by the makers of the Glad family of products, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and will earn the title of "Top Chef." The Emmy-nominated Magical Elves return to produce "Top Chef: New York." Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz ("Project Runway," "Top Design") and Shauna Minoprio return as executive producers.

Following are the 17 new "Top Chef: New York" chef'testants:

- Alex, 33 - Hometown: New York, N.Y.; Resides in Los Angeles, Calif.

- Ariane, 41 - Hometown/Resides in: Verona, N.J.

- Carla, 44 - Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.; Resides in Washington, D.C.

- Danny, 26 Hometown/ resides in: New Hyde Park, N.Y.

- Fabio, 30 - Hometown: Florence, Italy; Resides in Moorpark, Calif.

- Gene, 33 Hometown: Whitmore Village, Hawaii; Resides in Las Vegas, Nev.

- Hosea, 34 - Hometown: Taos, N.M.; Resides in Boulder, Colo.

- Jamie, 30 - Hometown: New York, N.Y.; Resides in San Francisco, Calif.

- Jeff, 30 Hometown: Niceville, Fla.; Resides in: Miami, Fla.

- Jill, 28 - Hometown: Latrobe, Pa.; Resides in Baltimore, Md.

- Lauren, 24 - Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio; currently stationed at Fort Stewart

- Leah, 27 - Hometown: Scarsdale, N.Y.; Resides in New York, N.Y.

- Melissa, 28 Hometown: Md.; Resides in Boulder, Colo.

- Patrick, 21 - Hometown: Quincy, Mass.; Resides in Hyde Park, N.Y.

- Radhika, 28 - Hometown/Resides in: Chicago, Ill.

- Richard, 27 - Hometown: Long Island, N.Y.; Resides in San Diego, Calif.

- Stefan, 35 Hometown: Tampere, Finland; Resides in Santa Monica, Calif.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Alex



age 33
hometown New York City
resides in Los Angeles
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive chef, Restaurant 15
Culinary Education: The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) – New York, NY
Favorite Simple Recipes: For fall: Duck confit – duck breast, onions, carrots, celery, cloves, cinnamon, duck fat, fresh herbs. For spring: Red snapper with guava beurre blanc, guavaberry and sweet plantain hash.

Bio:
Alex currently serves as Executive Chef /Partner at a small boutique restaurant in Los Angeles, Calif., Restaurant 15. His culinary career is based primarily in small individually owned restaurants, which is fitting since he has a personal relationship with food and finds his creativity is best expressed in those intimate circumstances. Born in Madrid, raised in the Dominican Republic and then New York City, he has a very distinct cultural background that fuels his passion for cooking. Classically trained in French and Spanish cuisine, he often plays with Caribbean flair to add depth to his food. When not training for marathons, he enjoys making one of his favorite dishes, Paella.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Ariane



age 41
hometown Verona, NJ
resides in Verona, NJ
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Chef/owner of CulinAriane in Montclair, NJ
Culinary Education: AOS, Culinary Institute of America
Favorite Simple Recipes: Roasted asparagus, artichokes, fava beans and morels on herb goat cheese grilled focaccia

Bio:
Ariane is the chef/owner of CulinAriane, a four-star restaurant located in Montclair, N.J. She was inspired to cook at a young age by her grandmothers. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, she worked at some of the best restaurants in the country before she and her husband, Michael, opened CulinAriane. While much of her time is spent at her restaurant, she loves spending time with her daughters, especially at the beach. She also enjoys entertaining for family and friends. Her strong belief is that anything can be fixed and to keep smiling.

[marigold]

Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Carla



age 44
hometown Nashville, TN
resides in Washington, DC
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Owner/Chef, Alchemy Caterers
Culinary Education: C.C.T. L’Academie de Cuisine
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Small shaped pasta with hand-mashed salted heirloom tomatoes, garlic, red wine vinegar, chilies and a great extra virgin olive oil. For spring: Pea salad with radishes and feta cheese.

Bio:
Carla is the chef and owner of Alchemy Caterers in Washington, D.C. Her food balances the heart and soul of the South and the refinement of her classic French training. She enjoys creating memorable comfort dishes with fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Carla approaches each event as an opportunity to make a connection with the client and to change the way they experience food. She always has good European butter, Couverture chocolate, bacon, heavy cream, olive oil - pomace and extra virgin - on hand and pies are one of her favorite things to make.

[marigold]

Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Danny



age 26
hometown New Hyde Park, NY
resides in
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive Chef, Babylon Carriage House
Culinary Education: C.I.A. Hyde Park
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Fresh calamari salad with pepper, red onions, fresh garlic, lemon, lime, pepper, salt to my liking

Bio:

Danny currently serves as the Chef de Cuisine at the Babylon Carriage House, one of the most popular restaurants in Long Island, NY. He is best known for his Italian/Asian Fusion style of cooking. Danny was influenced by his grandmothers at a young age to cook from the heart and keep family in mind. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, he worked for several restaurants including East By Northeast, Harvest on Fort Pond, and Pacific East where he gained invaluable knowledge that made him an asset in any kitchen. His motto is: "No Guts, No Glory, No Gold!"

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Fabio



age 30
hometown Florence, Italy
resides in Moorpark, CA
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Owner, Cafe Firenze Italian Restaurant Martini Bar
Culinary Education: I.P.S.S.A.R. Aurelio Saffi, Hotel and Restaurant Management School in Florence, Italy
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Seared black sea bass, heirloom tomato and purple basil with extra virgin olive oil.

Bio:
Fabio is the Owner and Executive Chef of Café Firenze Italian Restaurant and Martini Bar, one of the most recognized restaurants in Ventura County. Born and raised in Florence, Italy, he has traveled across Europe and is trained in classic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. He incorporates Italian, French and Spanish influences in his dishes and believes that cooking is a craft. He is currently working on opening the Firenze4Kids Foundation, which will emphasize the promotion of health and wellness for kids through good nutrition and will also launch kidshealthcafe.com, the largest informative resource library available online, designed to enhance a healthy and safe lifestyle for children. Additionally, Fabio also works as William Shatner's private chef.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Gene



age 33
hometown Whitmore Village, Hawaii
resides in Las Vegas
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive Chef, Executive Sushi Chef & Chef Consultant
Culinary Education: Self-taught
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Ahi tuna, green onions, ginger, garlic, cilantro, bonito and hot peanut oil. For spring: Mesclun lettuce, chopped romaine, roasted macadamia nuts, boursin cheese, strawberries and mango yuzu vinaigrette.

Bio:
Gene is currently developing menus for major corporations and is the soon to be Executive Chef of a new concept for a major hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Born and raised in Hawaii, he relocated to Las Vegas and began his career as a dishwasher. Through hard work and dedication over the years, he has experienced all facets of life in the professional kitchen. He has gained wisdom and experience in management positions at various restaurants and has been blessed to work for and with some of the most extraordinary chefs in the world. His cooking philosophy has always been "think outside the box" and his love for pacific fusion compliments his cooking style. He is trained in basic French and Italian with an emphasis on Pacific Rim, Hawaiian fusion, and the art of sushi.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Hosea



age 34
hometown Taos, NM
resides in Boulder, CO
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive Chef, Jax Fish House, and owner, HZR Culinary Consulting, LLC
Culinary Education: Self-taught
Favorite Simple Recipes: For spring: Sea scallops with morels, asparagus, potato puree and Madeira cream sauce.

Bio:
Hosea has been the Executive Chef at Jax Fish House in Boulder for the past four and a half years. During his tenure at Jax, he has won numerous awards including Best Chef at the Denver International Wine Festival (2006, 2007) and is the seven-time, undefeated winner of the Flatiron Chef Competition. While pursuing his BS in Engineering Physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Hosea worked at a variety of restaurants from diners to fine dining establishments. It was only after he graduated in 1997 that he realized he wanted to change course and become a professional chef. In 1998 he began working for Wolfgang Puck and got his first job as head chef just three years later. When it comes to food, quality ingredients, integrity and focus are paramount to Hosea.

[marigold]

Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Jamie



age 30
hometown New York City
resides in San Francisco
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive Chef, Absinthe Brasserie and Bar
Culinary Education: A.O.S. Culinary Arts, C.I.A.
Favorite Simple Recipes: For spring: Asparagus salad with charred onion vinaigrette, Burrata cheese, wild arugula and speck.

Bio:
Jamie works as the Executive Chef at Absinthe, one of the busiest restaurants in San Francisco. Born in New York City and trained in classic French technique, she believes in cooking from within. Jamie loves to work with local and seasonal ingredients and focuses most of her menu around organic foods. She enjoys participating in local charitable events and using her talent to support important causes. Her favorite thing to eat is Indian food and she is obsessed with onions.

[marigold]

Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Jeff



age 30
hometown Niceville, FL
resides in Miami
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Chef de Cuisine, the DiLido Beach Club
Culinary Education: Johnson & Wales University
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Melon sorbet salad

Bio:
Jeff got his culinary start at age 15 by cleaning local fish while working on Florida fishing boats and a year later began peeling shrimp, cleaning squid and cutting fish for The Marina Café. Jeff embarked on his professional career as a Sous Chef at Atlanticville Restaurant and Café outside of Charleston, South Carolina while attending school at Johnson & Wales University. He went on to hone his culinary skills as a Sous Chef in San Francisco at Azie, an upscale Asian fusion restaurant, and later served as a Sous Chef at the Five Star Orient Express resort in Virginia where he expanded on his knowledge of French and American cuisines. Returning to his native Florida, Jeff worked directly under Chef Norman Van Aken and then joined The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach culinary team. He currently serves as Chef de Cuisine of The DiLido Beach Club. His recent sabbaticals include traveling to North Africa, Turkey, Italy, and the Greek Isles to discover new techniques which he uses daily at home with Florida ingredients.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Jill



age 28
hometown Latrobe, PA
resides in Baltimore
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive Chef, Red Maple
Culinary Education: Baltimore International College
Favorite Simple Recipes: For spring: Grilled shrimp with pea tendrils and roasted baby beets

Bio:
Born in Latrobe, Pa., Jill's culinary interests were sparked at an early age when she began helping on her uncle's farm, picking berries and baking cookies to sell at the local farmer's market. She didn't plan on becoming a chef, but counts her decision to attend culinary school as one of her best moves. After moving to Baltimore, Jill studied under the celebrated chef and restaurateur Spike Gjerde. She loves to create imaginative sushi rolls and unique desserts and the five ingredients she always keeps on hand are semi-sweet chocolate, sushi rice, micro-herbs, Banyuls vinegar and champagne. Her goal is to one day own a small resort that serves amazing food and features rides in her hot air balloon.

[marigold]

Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Lauren



age 24
hometown Cincinnati
resides in Stationed at Fort Stewart, in Georgia
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Chef Tournant, Jag’s Steak and Seafood
Culinary Education: B.P.S. Culinary Arts Management, C.I.A.
Favorite Simple Recipes: Spring pea mousse in phyllo cups with creme fraiche and caviar

Bio:
Lauren works as the Tournant at Jag's Steak and Seafood, the most luxurious and contemporary steakhouse in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sparked by an Easy Bake Oven as a little girl, Lauren's passion for pastry and the culinary arts bloomed throughout her childhood and into her current career. While attending the prestigious CIA in Hyde Park, New York, Lauren met her husband, a USMA cadet. Together they have traveled the country, influencing Lauren's eclectic and free-form culinary style. If she were a food, she says she would be a sweet and sassy box of chocolates because "you never know what you're going to get, but its always going to be good!"

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Leah



age 27
hometown Scarsdale, NY
resides in New York City
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Sous Chef, Centro Vinoteca
Culinary Education: A.O.S./ B.A., C.I.A.
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Ricotta-stuffed zucchini blossoms and panzanella salad

Bio:
Leah currently works as a Sous Chef at Centro Vinoteca in New York City. Apart from the year and a half that she worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Italy, she has spent her entire life in New York and comes from a Filipino, Russian-Romanian Jewish background. Her favorite chef is Marco Pierre White and she counts salt, olive oil, butter, garlic and any pork product as her must-have ingredients. She loves Italian, Filipino and Thai cuisine, but homemade pasta is what she enjoys making the most.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Melissa



age 28
hometown Maryland
resides in Boulder, CO
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Sous Chef, Centro Latin Kitchen and Refreshment Palace
Culinary Education: Baltimore International College
Favorite Simple Recipes: For spring: Spicy snap pea salad

Bio:
Born in Maryland and raised on a horse farm, Melissa spent her youth surrounded by farm fresh produce and livestock. Her upbringing influenced her love of food and cooking from an early age. After receiving her culinary degree from Baltimore International College, Melissa relocated to Boulder, Colorado where she currently serves as a Sous Chef at Centro Latin Kitchen and Refreshment Palace. Dedicated to creating soulful Latin America cuisine, her favorite part of cooking is making people happy. Melissa's goals and plans for the future include endless travel, culinary endeavors and continually expanding her food knowledge.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Patrick



age 21
hometown Quincy, MA
resides in Hyde Park, NY
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Culinary student
Culinary Education: A.O.S. Culinary Arts, C.I.A. working on BPS Culinary Arts Management
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Berries with balsamic, honey, mint, basil and tart yogurt. For spring: Fresh pasta with fresh morels sautéed in butter and white wine.

Bio:
Patrick is currently a student at the Culinary Institute of America. With an inherent love for cooking, he was inspired as a child by his mother and grandmother and today by food writer Michael Pollan. Patrick has always had a love for the arts, both performing and visual and tries to incorporate them into every dish he creates. With ingredients as his medium of art, he is inspired by quality and freshness and enjoys making fresh vegetable dishes like succotash, pisto and ratatouille. He has a passion for sustainable agriculture and hopes to educate and promote support for local farmers and growers.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Radhika



age 28
hometown Chicago
resides in Chicago
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive Chef, Between Boutique Café & Lounge
Culinary Education: A.O.S. Culinary Arts, the Cooking & Hospitality Institute of Chicago
Favorite Simple Recipes: For summer: Roasted red and yellow beet salad with mixed greens, herb crusted beef tenderloin and crispy goat cheese balls

Bio:
Radhika currently works as the Executive Chef at Between Boutique Café & Lounge in Chicago. A first generation Indian American, Radhika was born in Ohio and raised in an eclectic Indian-tradition home. Trained in classic French and Indian cuisine, she has worked alongside notable chef Vikas Khanna and has staged at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. She has traveled the world over learning new techniques and flavor profiles and brings spice and bold flavors to the table combined with grace and restraint. Her favorite dish to prepare is spicy chicken and potato curry with cumin scented rice with clarified butter and mint. She describes her cooking style as globally eclectic with a huge spoonful of love.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Richard



age 27
hometown Sayville, Long Island, NY
resides in San Diego, CA
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Executive Sous Chef, Confidential Restaurant & Loft, San Diego
Culinary Education: Diplome Professionale du Commis de Cuisine, San Diego Culinary Institute
Favorite Simple Recipes: For spring: Lightly grilled chicken breast, crumbled gorgonzola, dried cranberries, baby spinach salad, all tossed with a light balsamic vinaigrette

Bio:
Richard is the Executive Sous Chef at Confidential Restaurant & Loft in the Gaslamp District of downtown San Diego. Richard grew up in food service. His father has served as a restaurant manager for years and his mother and stepfather have owned several bagel businesses in Long Island where Richard spent many summers during his youth. He's been trained by world traveled chefs in classic French techniques and their modern applications. His motto in the kitchen is, "Keep it simple (stupid)" - and he likes to do just that by keeping his plates simple and infused with natural harmony versus chaotic noise. At Confidential, Richard likes to "play" with his food through the small plates style of dining, which allows him to create many new dishes for his guests to combine. On the side, he also works at the San Diego bar, Pecs.

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Top Chef New York Season 5

Contestant Bios:

Stefan



age 35
hometown Tampere, Finland
resides in Santa Monica, CA
Elimination Challenge Wins: 0/0
Quickfire Wins: 0/0
status: Still Cooking
Position: Chef, StefansCatering.com
Culinary Education: CMC, Wurzburg Schweinfurt
Favorite Simple Recipes: For spring: Wedge of iceberg lettuce with bacon and blue cheese dressing

Bio:
Stefan was born in Finland but spent the majority of his childhood in Germany, where he began culinary training in his early teens. He worked his way through various European kitchens, learning new techniques and collecting awards along the way. In 1998, he joined master chefs Grant McPherson, Sotta Kuhn, Jacques Torres, Jean Philip Maury and Marc Poidevin as part of the creative team for the opening of the Bellagio Hotel, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas. As Executive Sous-Chef, he created, developed and executed menus for the $25 million-dollar banquet kitchen. Since then, he has held a number of Executive Chef positions and most recently worked with Celestino Drago at Enoteca Drago before opening his own business, Stefan's Catering in Santa Monica. Although he currently resides in Los Angeles, he spends his summer months hunting and fishing in his native Finland.

[TexasLady]

 

Yay!! Not that long to wait either!!! 

[marigold]

An interesting article:

Toby Young replaces Ted Allen as judge for Top Chef New York, which will have 17 contestants

When Top Chef 5 debuts in November, it will have a new fourth judge: Toby Young, who replaces Ted Allen on the panel, which still includes Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and host Padma Lakshmi.
British journalist and food critic Young is the author of How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, which Bravo’s press release mentions, but it doesn’t say anything about Ted Allen. It does, however, promise appearances by “Martha Stewart, Foo Fighters, Jean-Georges, Eric Ripert, Rocco DiSpirito, Wylie Dufresne, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Natasha Richardson,” who all “will be featured this season.”
The fifth season, which debuts Nov. 12 and was filmed in New York, has the series’ biggest cast yet: 17 chefs. They range in age from 21 to 44, and in the press release, Colicchio says “we’ve upped the ante because this is our home turf so the pressure’s on for the chefs to impress us.”

Link: http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/top_chef_5/2008_Oct_01_toby_young_judge

[marigold]

Yay!! Not that long to wait either!!! 

  I like them TL they are a good group

I just finished viewing their profiles a few of them stood out and impressed me lol their cooking styles made me hungry 

They do have videos on the site so I will pass that along to you

Link: http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/about/index.php

[marigold]

An interesting article:

Boulder chefs on new season of 'Top Chef' Hosea Rosenberg, Melissa Harrison on new season of Bravo cooking show

The Boulder dining scene, so hot in recent years, is about to get another boost of national visibility: Local chefs Hosea Rosenberg, of Jax Fish House, and Melissa Harrison, of Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace, are among the 17 hopefuls competing on season five of Bravo's "Top Chef," which premieres Nov. 12.

Both restaurants are owned by local restaurateur Dave Query.

Contestants have known one another on the show before -- last season even featured a cooking couple -- but Season 5 may mark the first time "Top Chef" features two contestants from the same town, working in restaurants on the same block, both owned by the same person.

"For two people from the same company to be on, I think that's really unique and I think speaks to how talented they are as well as what great personalities they have," said Iva Townsend, a restaurant manager for Query's Big Red F company who has worked with Rosenberg and Harrison.

"I've watched every season, and it's crazy to think that I can turn it on in two weeks and see people I know," said Townsend, also a "Top Chef" fan. "It will be interesting to see how they fare and how they'll be portrayed -- what their persona will be on the show."

Viewers can get a sneak peek at those personas on the Bravo Web site, www.bravotv.com, which has posted short bios and videos on each contestant.

Rosenberg and Harrison were among a group of local chefs who tried out for a casting director in April. In July, they got the call from Bravo, packed their knives, and bid Query and their kitchens adieu for six weeks.

"I know the caliber of chef that Dave is and that we hire and how talented they are," Townsend said. "I think they'll fare well."

Chefly competition is nothing new to Rosenberg: He was a seven-time winner of the "Iron Chef"-inspired Flatiron Chef competition at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in 2006. He is also a two-time winner of the Denver International Wine Festival's Food-and-Wine-Pairing Competition; and last year he was invited to cook at the prestigious James Beard House in New York.

Harrison, who grew up in Maryland, received her culinary degree from Baltimore International College.

On the show, chefs go through various cooking challenges each week, resulting in the elimination of one player. After a live finale, one cook walks away with the Top Chef title and a $100,000 prize.

"Boulder per capita, we have a really good dining scene, with the advent of Frasca, along with the Kitchen and with what Dave's been doing the past 14 years -- it's brought a lot of attention to the town," said Townsend, who said she hopes her friends are prepared to be reality-show stars. "I hope a lot of people in Boulder watch the show."

Link: http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/oct/03/boulder-chefs-on-02/?partner=yahoo_headlines

[marigold]

An interesting article:

Firenze co-owner makes 'Top Chef' cut Moorpark restaurateur is one of 17 contestants

Fabio Viviani knows how to pack his knives and go. The trick, as any fan of the reality TV show "Top Chef" will tell you, is in not leaving too soon.

A native of Florence, Italy, Viviani came to America in 2005 and last year teamed with his best friend and father-in-law to open Cafe Firenze, an Italian restaurant and martini lounge in Moorpark.

Now, the executive chef with the made-for-TV name has been identified as one of 17 contestants selected to slice and dice their respective ways through "Top Chef" when the show returns for its fifth season at 10 p.m. Nov. 12 on Bravo.

To participate as a "cheftestant," Viviani, 30, had to pack his knives again, this time to go to New York. There, he was still participating in the show as recently as Aug. 6, when he was photographed wearing a "Top Chef" jacket at a benefit for the Foundation for AIDS Research.

Was he amazed when those photos immediately appeared on Web sites devoted to identifying "Top Chef" contestants before their names were officially announced this week?

Viviani would love to answer that question, and any others you wish to put to him, he said Thursday. But in keeping with the cone of silence that descends over reality-show participants before broadcast, he is contractually prohibited from discussing specifics without a publicist in the room.

Locals already know Viviani for his old-school approach to dry-aging meat — his 34-ounce, bone-in Tomahawk ribeye is a specialty of the house. Still, his official bio at http://www.bravotv.com contains several tidbits of new information.

It describes Viviani as the private chef of actor William Shatner, for one thing. For another, it says Viviani is working on the creation of the Firenze4Kids Foundation, which will promote the effects of "good nutrition" on children's health.

The fifth season of "Top Chef" marks the first time that producers have tapped culinary talent from Ventura County. But they have been nibbling around the region's edges since the show debuted with 12 contestants, four of them from in and around Los Angeles.

The city itself served as the setting for season two, which included a road trip to Epiphany, the Santa Barbara restaurant co-owned by actor Kevin Costner.

In season three, competitors included Clay Bowen, a sous chef at the University Club in Santa Barbara.

Bowen lasted about as long as a souffle: After guest judge Anthony Bourdain compared his wild boar dish to "prison chow," he was asked to "pack his knives and go" — the show's signature send-off — at the end of the first episode.

Viviani is keeping mum on his own "Top Chef" experiences, but he hasn't gone into hiding.

He puts in 17-hour days at Cafe Firenze, and on Oct. 11 will teach a "Taste of Italy" cooking class presented by Ventura College Community Education (call 654-6459 for more information). On the class menu are possible tastes of things to come: arancini with pancetta, butternut squash ravioli and a "surprise" worthy of a quick-fire challenge.

Link: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/oct/03/firenze-co-owner-makes-top-chef-cut/?partner=yahoo_headlines

[marigold]

An interesting article:

Top Chef's New York contestants hope for homefield advantage



New York's kitchens will become battlegrounds Nov. 12, when Bravo's "Top Chef" returns to the Big Apple from Chicago for its fifth season.

Seventeen contestants will simmer, pare, bake and season their chef hats off for the top prize: $100,000 in seed money to help open a restaurant.

Joining host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio -- of Craft restaurants -- and judge Gail Simmons -- of Food & Wine Magazine -- this season is judge Toby Young, a food critic and author of the book "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People."

Here's a look at the New York chef-testants:

Leah, 27
A Scarsdale native who has spent all but a year of her life living in New York, Leah works as a sous chef at West Village Italian restaurant Centro Vinoteca. Leah loves making homemade pasta, and considers olive oil, butter, garlic and pork products her must-have ingredients.

Patrick, 21
Patrick, a student at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, is passionate about promoting sustainable agriculture. He considers his dishes, many of which contain fresh vegetables, works of art and creates them with that idea in mind.

Alex, 33
Living around the world -- Madrid, the Dominican Republic and New York -- inspires Alex's cooking style and love of food. Now executive chef at Restaurant 15 in Los Angeles, Alex studied at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York.

Danny, 26
Executive chef of Babylon Carriage House, an American restaurant on Long Island, Danny was raised in New Hyde Park and attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. One of his favorite simple recipes is fresh calamari salad with pepper, red onions, fresh garlic, lemon, lime, pepper and salt.

Link: http://www.amny.com/entertainment/dining/am-chef1002,0,4113941.story?track=rss

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Top Chef New York Schedule

Wednesdays from 10:00 PM-11:00 PM EST :

11/12/08 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#501) *PREMIERE

11/19/08 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#502)

11/26/08 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#503)

12/3/08 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#504)

12/10/08 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#505)

12/17/08 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#506)

1/7/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#507)

1/14/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#508)

1/21/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#509)

1/28/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#510)

2/4/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#511)

2/11/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#512)

2/18/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#513)

2/25/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#514)

3/4/09 (We.) 10:00 PM BRAVO (#515) *FINALE