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Top Chef Masters Season Two: L.A. Represent!
From left to right: Susan Feniger, Govind Armstrong, Ludo Lefebvre and Mark Peel | Photo Editing: Andrea Bell
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From left to right: Susan Feniger, Govind Armstrong, Ludo Lefebvre and Mark Peel | Photo Editing: Andrea Bell
Bravo's "Top Chef Masters" has scored some serious talent this season with more representation from Los Angeles. 22 world-renowned chefs, six of whom are returning from last season, are set to compete to benefit their favorite charities. The lineup includes hometown heroes Susan Feniger of Street, Govind Armstrong of 8 oz Burger Bar, Ludo Lefebvre of LudoBites and Mark Peel of Campanile.
Mark Peel warned LAist, "On 'Top Chef Masters' this season the stoves are hotter than ever." So get ready for some serious action.
"Following the success of season one, we were able to attract another stellar line up of Master chefs, including some true legends of American cuisine," said Jane Lipsitz, Executive Producer, Magical Elves. Added Dan Cutforth, Executive Producer, Magical Elves, "this season's chefs bring amazing stories, lots of drama and even more intense competition to the Top Chef kitchen."
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Kelly Choi returns as the series' host, along with a Critic's Table comprised of Gael Greene, James Oseland and Jay Rayner and Gail Simmons. "Top Chef" head judge and chef/owner of Craft Restaurants, Tom Colicchio, serves as consulting producer.
There is an unusual array of guest stars planned to say the least, including "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening and star Hank Azaria (Oh God, please animate Susan Feniger and Ludo). Andrew Zimmern will also be guesting on what must be something featuring some creepy-crawly gastronomy. Guest judge weirdness is rounded out by an Olympic swimmer and a Real Housewife of Orange County.
Once again, the competition will be held in rounds. During the first four episodes a group of chefs will compete to see who will move on to the next round. The final six weeks "will whittle down the chefs until the finale where one winner is crowned Top Chef Master. The winning chef will receive $100,000 for the charity of their choice."
"Top Chef Masters" premieres on Wednesday, April 7 at 11 p.m. ET/PT and will move to its regular time period on April 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Bravo's website will be filled with extras, including behind-the-scenes at the judges tables and interviews with departing chefs.
As Chef Ludo Lefebvre told LAist, "It only gets better the second time. The first TCM was nothing. Everyone came to win this time."
The complete list of competing Top Chef Masters for season two:
- Jody Adams - Rialto Restaurant, Cambridge, Mass.
- Govind Armstrong - 8 oz Burger Bar, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Graham Elliot Bowles - Graham Elliot Restaurant, Chicago, Ill.
- Jimmy Bradley - The Red Cat, New York, N.Y.
- David Burke Townhouse, New York, N.Y.
- Wylie Dufresne - wd~50, New York, N.Y.
- Susan Feniger - Street, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Debbie Gold - The American Restaurant, Kansas City, Mo.
- Carmen Gonzalez - Chef Consultant, New York, N.Y.
- Maria Hines - Tilth, Seattle, Wash.
- Susur Lee - Madeline's, Toronto, Canada
- Ludo Lefebvre - Ludo Bites, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Tony Mantuano - Spiaggia, Chicago, Ill.
- Rick Moonen - Rick Moonen's RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nev.
- Mark Peel - Campanile, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Monica Pope - t'afla, Houston, Texas
- Thierry Rautureau - Rover's, Seattle, Wash.
- Marcus Samuelsson - The Red Rooster, New York, N.Y.
- Ana Sortun - Oleana, Cambridge, Mass.
- Rick Tramonto - TRU, Chicago, Ill.
- Jerry Traunfeld - Poppy, Seattle, Wash.
- Jonathan Waxman - Barbuto, New York, N.Y.
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