Bravo Media's Top Chef embarks on an epic culinary adventure through the state of Colorado for season 15. The Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series will follow 15 diverse chefs from across the country as they battle it out for the coveted title amid the breathtaking landscapes and thriving culinary scenes in Denver, Boulder, Telluride and Aspen. Host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio return to the judges table alongside Gail Simmons and Graham Elliot.

This season, the competition reaches new heights as the chefs battle it out on an epicurean road trip through Colorado, traveling to Denver, Boulder, Telluride and Aspen. From deconstructing the Denver Omelet and preparing Rocky Mountain Oysters to tailgating with the Broncos, the level of competition for these 15 chefs is going to be a mile high. With the judges looking for the chefs' peak performances, the challenges will test the competitors' culinary abilities in picturesque locales including a food festival in Larimer Square, a blizzard infused campfire cook-off, and cauldron cooking at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen. In addition, social media star Logan Paul heads to Boulder and Olympians Gus Kenworthy, Meryl Davis and John Daly will challenge the chefs in an all-around culinary competition focusing on speed, precision and presentation. And not to be outdone, Top Chef season 14 winner Brooke Williamson returns to surprise the cheftestants with a breakfast Quickfire using NutellaŽ. It's not going to be easy for these chefs as they go for the gold, traveling around the state in BMW X5 xDrive50i, and battle it out for $125,000 furnished by S.PellegrinoŽ Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, a feature in FOOD & WINE magazine, a showcase at the annual FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen and the coveted title of Top Chef.

Throughout the season, the chefs will be tasked with serving up food for culinary stars including: Curtis Stone (Head Judge on Top Chef Jr.), Naomi Pomeroy, Richard Blais (Top Chef: All-Stars Winner), John Besh, Bruce and Eric Bromberg, David Kinch, Adam Perry Lang, Johnny Iuzzini, Wylie Dufresne, Paul Liebrandt, Michael Voltaggio (Top Chef Season Six Winner), Bryan Voltaggio, Chris Cosentino and Nilou Motamed. Also lending their expertise are local Colorado greats Troy Guard, Alex Seidel, Hosea Rosenberg (Top Chef Season Five Winner), Lachlan MacKinnon-Patterson, Keegan Gerhard, Jen Jasinski (Top Chef Masters Finalist) and Frank Bonanno.

NEW YORK February 15, 2018 - Bravo Media's Emmy and James Beard Award-winning "Top Chef" will call Kentucky home for season 16. The state's "Unbridled Spirit" will reign supreme as a new batch of cheftestants enter the kitchen to battle it out for the coveted title across the thriving culinary scenes in Louisville, Lexington and Lake Cumberland. With Bourbon, horses and Bluegrass music setting the scene, the culinary competition series will explore this unique region of the country, rising through the ranks as a top destination for foodies and chefs. Production will begin in the spring of 2018 with the season set to premiere later this year. The announcement was made today in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Tourism.

"We are always looking for rising culinary destinations and are looking forward to planting our flag in Kentucky and soaking up a diverse region of the country that we haven't yet explored on 'Top Chef'," said Shari Levine, Executive Vice President, Current Production, Bravo Media. "Kentucky has a strong food identity and we know our incoming chefs will be inspired by the bourgeoning culinary scene, known for its innovative takes on Southern cuisine, melding flavors and use of Kentucky's agricultural bounty."

Kristen Branscum, Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Tourism adds, "Kentucky is internationally known for its bourbon and horses, but our rich culinary culture is an unexpected, hidden gem. Our robust agricultural offerings and unique approach to food in every region of the state, combined with Kentucky's natural outdoor beauty will surprise and delight the 'Top Chef" viewers."

With four remaining episodes, the current season of Bravo's "Top Chef" counts down to the finale in Aspen with host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio, along with Gail Simmons and Graham Elliot at the judges table. Tonight's all new "Top Chef," airing Thursday, February 15 at 9pm ET/PT, kicks off in breathtaking Telluride as the four remaining chefs embark on the first leg of the finals. As they walk down the quaint Main Street they are quickly reunited with the winner of "Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen," and the new group of five face Padma, Tom and Chef Wylie Dufresne. For the Quickfire challenge, they are tasked to make a dish incorporating the old saloon slinging medicinal beverage, sarsaparilla. Then the chefs cook at Alpino Vino, a fine dining restaurant at the highest elevation in North America, where they prepare a dish that must include a baking element. And no chef knows the difficulty of cooking in high altitude locations like Michelin-star recipient Chef Paul Liebrandt who has cooked in the Swiss Alps. It's a tall order to impress judges of this caliber at just under 12,000 feet up. For photos, click here:

To check out the season finale of "Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen," head to: http://www.bravotv.com/last-chance-k...k-ep-12-finale.

Currently averaging over 2 million total viewers, "Top Chef" is the number one most affluent ad-supported cable program in 2018 among household viewers (Nielsen L7).

Casting for Season 16 is currently underway and interested chefs looking to vie for the coveted title, should visit Bravotv.com/topchefcasting for more information.

The series is produced by the Emmy Award-winning Magical Elves with Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz, Doneen Arquines and Casey Kriley serving as executive producers.


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