BravoTV.com

October 1, 2008

Meet the New Top Chefs!

Attention all foodies! The fifth sizzling season of Top Chef is almost here, and we have a sneak peek of the 17 chef’testants vying to out-cook the competition and win the coveted Top Chef title. Before you meet the competitors, grab your calendar, find November 12th, and write this down: 10PM - SUPER-SIZED SEASON PREMIERE of TOP CHEF 5. (Adorn this small calendar box with stars, exclamation points, chicken legs, chef hats, etc.)

Be sure to check out our who’s who guide to the judges and contestants of season five, but for now, there are some fast fun facts:

Alex
33 - Hometown: New York, N.Y.; Resides in Los Angeles, Calif.
Fun Fact: When he’s not training for marathons, Alex loves making Paella.

Ariane
41 - Hometown/Resides in: Verona, N.J.
Fun Fact: Loves the beach, her fam, and, of course, her four-star restaurant CulinAriane.

Carla
44 - Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.; Resides in Washington, D.C.
Fun Fact: When Carla's not busy running Alchemy Caterers, she loooves making pies.

Danny
26 – Hometown/ resides in: New Hyde Park, N.Y.
Fun Fact: Danny's fav summer recipe? Fresh calamari salad.

Fabio
30 - Hometown: Florence, Italy; Resides in Moorpark, Calif.
Fun Fact: Ever wonder who cooks William Shatner’s meals? It’s his private chef, Fabio!

Gene
33 – Hometown: Whitmore Village, Hawaii; Resides in Las Vegas, Nev.
Fun Fact: Gene’s cooking philosophy has always been “think outside the box.”

Hosea
34 - Hometown: Taos, N.M.; Resides in Boulder, Colo.
Fun Fact: Hosea’s not just a foodie - he’s brainy. He has his BS in Engineering Physics.

Jamie
30 - Hometown: New York, N.Y.; Resides in San Francisco, Calif.
Fun Fact: Jamie is totally, completely, 100% obsessed with onions.

Jeff
30 – Hometown: Niceville, Fla.; Resides in: Miami, Fla.
Fun Fact: Jeff started his culinary career at age 15, peeling shrimp and cleaning squid on Florida fishing boats.

Jill
28 - Hometown: Latrobe, Pa.; Resides in Baltimore, Md.
Fun Fact: Jill’s dream is to own a resort that serves great food and offers rides in her hot air balloon.

Lauren
24 - Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio; currently stationed at Fort Stewart
Fun Fact: If Lauren were a food, she’d be a box of chocolates. Why? Because "you never know what you're going to get, but it's always going to be good!"

Leah
27 - Hometown: Scarsdale, N.Y.; Resides in New York, N.Y.
Fun Fact: Leah’s favorite dish is good ol’ homemade pasta.

Melissa
28 – Hometown: Md.; Resides in Boulder, Colo.
Fun Fact: Melissa loves to travel, and likes cooking because it makes people happy.

Patrick
21 - Hometown: Quincy, Mass.; Resides in Hyde Park, N.Y.
Fun Fact: Patrick, this season’s youngest contestant, likes to make his dishes into works of art.

Radhika
28 - Hometown/Resides in: Chicago, Ill.
Fun Fact: Radhika’s cooking style is globally eclectic with a huuuuge spoonful of love.

Richard
27 - Hometown: Long Island, N.Y.; Resides in San Diego, Calif.
Fun Fact: Richard’s motto in the kitchen is, “Keep it simple (stupid).”

Stefan
35 – Hometown: Tampere, Finland; Resides in Santa Monica, Calif.
Fun Fact: When he’s not in LA, Stefan spends his summers hunting and fishing in Finland.

Are you excited for the fifth season of Chef? Sound off below!

-Gretchen Hansen