'Top Chef,' top franchise

Padma LakshmiTom ColicchioOf the extended listing of hit shows created by Magical Elves, the "Top Chef" franchise may be the gift that continues giving if this involves rankings.The initial "Top Chef" handled to interrupt the seven-year Emmy stranglehold of "The Astonishing Race" last fall by winning for competition reality series. It's nominated again this season.Now shooting its ninth season, the show has created effective spinoffs "Top Chef: Masters," that has run for 3 seasons, and "Top Chef: Just Desserts" set to premiere its second season August. 24 on Bravo.The shows have "cheftestants" competing against one another in culinary challenges with a number of removed in each episode. Knowing options are a panel of professional chefs along with other foodie notables.As the shows now attract a slew of top names within the restaurant niche for the judges' sections, Magical Elves founders Jane Lipsitz and Serta Cutforth say it had been tricky getting these folks interested at first.InchThe very first months are challenging simply because they did not understand what it had been yet," recalls Lipsitz. "But when they might observe that it is a good show which it had been credible, then your seasons after were much simpler to book when it comes to the very best names. It's real vital that you get respected within the first season."Mind judge Tom Colicchio states he even switched the gig lower three occasions."I had been just a little worried about doing reality TV," states the award-winning chef who runs the Craft restaurant empire. "After I began speaking for them, I began feeling much more comfortable. After I discovered it wasn't about me, I felt better."He also figured it might most likely be considered a little-seen experiment anyway."It might be this little cable show my loved ones would watch late during the night," Colicchio states. "I'd no clue."Gail Simmons, a "Top Chef" judge and also the host of "Just Desserts," states it assisted that Magical Elves shows "Project Runway" (that they no more produce) and "Project Greenlight" had recently been established."The topic matter is definitely about individuals who could be carrying this out anyway, not people with an island competing for any new husband or anything like this,Inch states Simmons, an editor at Food & Wine magazine. "These were seriously interested in telling an extremely honest story in regards to a window right into a world that very little everyone was seeing -- a show in keeping with the expertise of such a professional kitchen is all about, the passion and also the drive behind it."Padma Lakshmi, host of "Top Chef" because the second season, states the actual stars from the show, however, would be the chefs. Whenever a chef is removed, she uses what's become an legendary phrase: "Please pack your knives and go.""We make certain its an eclectic cast," Lakshmi states. "We begin with as numerous women as you will find males -- the meals market is centered by males. Obviously we can not tell who's likely to prosper. They're excellent at balancing the cast. You need to root for individuals, not have access to 16 hotheads."Cutforth states what's assisted keep your show fresh despite eight seasons is moving it from city to city. Last season also introduced the very first all-star edition of "Top Chef" composed of past participants who had nearly won the title in the past series."We work very hard to evolve the show, the format, the kinds of challenges," Cutforth states. "We have always attempted to push it forward each and every season. It has been on such a long time that you could try other activities. People be aware of show and when you've established something, that's when you are able begin to tweak it."Season six, for instance, happened in Vegas, so producers made the decision introducing a higher-stakes element towards the Quickfire challenge, which meant there have been 1000's of dollars on the line rather than immunity or perhaps a more compact prize. Within the season eight finale, chefs were requested to produce their dream restaurant rather than the typical meal a person can have last challenge."We avoid cliches," states Coliccho. "We always try different things then one new."The approaching ninth months are broadly considered to be shooting in San Antonio, with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse joining the judges' table.Professional producer Dork Serwatka, also a professional at Bravo, is tight-lipped concerning the ninth season but is confident audiences is going to be pleased."We have got a brand new great season that's unfolding at this time that we are shooting," he states. "We began things just a little in a different way with increased chefs. A large challenge for all of us after 'All Stars' would be to make everything appear large again and i believe we have been successful. The difficulties are inventive, you will find lots of special visitors and you will see a traveling element, that is new. It may be my personal favorite year."MAGICAL ELVES AT 10:Magical Elves remains a high producer Magical moments 'Top Chef,' top franchise About the slate Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com