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.”

Meet the New Cheftestants:

• Eric Adjepong – Washington, DC
• Sara Bradley – Paducah, KY
• Kelsey Barnard Clark – Dothan, AL
• Edmund “Eddie” Konrad – Philadelphia, PA
• Pablo Lamon – Miami Beach, FL
• Natalie Maronski – Philadelphia, PA
• Michelle Minori – San Francisco, CA
• Nini Nguyen – Brooklyn, NY
• Brandon Rosen – San Mateo, CA
• Kevin Scharpf – Dubuque, IA
• Caitlin Steininger – Cincinnati, OH
• Justin Sutherland – St. Paul, MN
• David Viana – Asbury Park, NJ
• Adrienne Wright – Boston, MA
• Brian Young – Boston, MA

*For more information on the cheftestants, please visit Bravotv.com/top-chef.

For a sneak peek, please visit: http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-16/videos/your-first-look-at-top-chef-kentucky

Throughout the season, the chefs will serve culinary stars including: Emeril Lagassé, Eric Ripert, Jonathan Waxman, Art Smith, Nancy Silverton, Richard Blais, Brooke Williamson, Nina Compton, Karen Akunowicz, Annie Pettry, Caroline Styne, Sean Brock, Tandy Wilson, Dario Cecchini, Ken Oringer and Abraham Conlon.

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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