Top Chef Spin-Off Under Way for Bravo

NEW YORK: Top Chef Masters, produced by Magical Elves with consulting producer Tom Colicchio for Bravo in the U.S., will feature 24 world-renowned chefs battling it out in a series of weekly competitions for a prize for the charity of their choice.

Food journalist Kelly Choi will serve as host, and restaurant critic Gael Greene, culinary expert James Oseland and food critic Jay Rayner will be the judges. Each episode will feature two challenges, in the way of Top Chef. The first is a twist on the classic "quickfire challenge," which tests their basic abilities. The second is a more involved elimination challenge designed to test the versatility and invention of the chefs. The food will be tasted and evaluated by the judges and a range of tasters that challenge is aimed at.

"Top Chef lovers rejoice, Bravo and the Magical Elves are teaming up again to bring more of what our fans love most, fabulous food and tasty competition—and this time we’re adding world-renowned chefs competing against each other to the menu," said Frances Berwick, the executive VP and general manager of Bravo Media.