Gail Simmons: 'Top Chef Duels' Will Get Brutal
The co-host reveals that all of the veteran Cheftestants have a lot to defend.
Top Chef Duels is gathering the crème de la crème of Top Chef history—from previous winners and runners-up to fan favorites—and pitting them against one another in grueling one-on-one challenges designed to expose their weaknesses. The results? An exciting new competition series that co-host Gail Simmons promises will be "brutal and combative."
"Going up against one chef is much tougher than competing against 12 or 15, like they do on Top Chef," Gail explains to TV Guide. "You can't possibly keep track of that many opponents, but, when it's one-on-one, you know everything the other chef is doing-and that means much more stress."
In each episode, the chefs will be get to strategize their opponent's perceived weakness and pick a mini-duel to capitalize on that. "No one's going to pull out Kryptonite and render the other one powerless, but the slightest advantage can help," Gail explains.
As for the season's Cheftestants, including Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, Top Chef All-Stars winner Richard Blais, and Top Chef Masters fan favorite Takashi Yagihashi, Gail reveals that "none of these people faded back into oblivion after they did Top Chef. Some went on to win a James Beard Award or to be picked by Food&Wine as best new chef. Most have opened restaurants—everything from fantastic burger and pizza chains to three-star fine-dining establishments. These chefs have a lot to defend!"
Tune in to the premiere episode of Top Chef Duels on August 6th at 10/9c.
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[Source: TV Guide]
