MAIN Pop Culture Reality TV Top Chef 5 New York

Bravo kicked off its 5th season of Top Chef in the Big Apple this year with a premiere on Wednesday November 12, 2008 at 10 PM (ET).

Stay tuned as Bravo's hit culinary series returns with some of the USA's most impressive rising chefs — hitting New York City this season to slice and dice their way up to the top of the heap.

The trendy Williamsburg section of Brooklyn figures prominently as the location where Season 5 contestants will live and play throughout the taping. If you live in the New York area there was a special preview of the cast at Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall on October 27th.

Meanwhile, set your kitchen timers for this season's spicy dish and spiteful digs as culinary expert, Ted Allen, brings his expertise to the judges table joining cookbook author, actress and host Padma Lakshmi; Tom Colicchio, celebrated culinary figure and co-founder of Craft Restaurants; and returning judge Gail Simmons of Food & Wine.

Even more interesting?

The clash of personalities as quirky and creative chefs try to share a kitchen while battling against each other for the Top Chef title and prizes.

17 contestants - with one less each week - will be living the good life in New York for as long as they remain in the competition.

The winner gets $100,000 in seed money to help open a restaurant, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, a gourmet vacation in the French Alps ... and the coveted title of "Top Chef."

Watch throughout Season 5 as we bring you weekly updates, sneak previews, spoilers, and news on who's in and who's out in the running on Top Chef.

THE BIG FINALE

Carla is out of the running after a very poor showing, leaving Stefan and Hosea to battle it out for the title.

It's a tough call with both high and low points discussed by the judging panel, but the final decision goes in favor of.....

HOSEA! SEASON 5's NEW TOP CHEF!

Top Chef 5 Contestants

More about Top Chef 5 around the Web:

Top Chef - The official and most comprehensive Top Chef site by far. Anything you ever wanted to know about the show, the chefs, and the judges including recipes, blogs, fan mashups and more insider gossip.

Top Chef - Fans of Reality TV - A fast & furious forum with spoiler alerts, back-biting opinions on various chef's' cooking styles & personalities along with juicy discussions on each of the judges.

Buddy TV - Top Chef - Check out the latest season buzz, rumors and episode recaps including photos & profiles of all the chefs and judges.

Top Chef - Wikipedia - The online encyclopedia of Top Chef history, trivia and fun facts, with bios of judges and famous contestants, photos, related resources.

Top Chef Fan Club - Join the fray as Top Chef fans dish on who's hot and who's not.

also see -> Chiff Chef Recipes  Food & Wine Pairing

also see in Jobs & Careers -> How to Become a Chef

also see in Reality TV Hell's Kitchen