Top Chef is currently cooking in rainy Seattle, but I'd like to offer some sunnier vistas: the ten hottest contestants in Top Chef history. We'll have to save our Tom Colicchio/Rocco Dispirito lust for another post.
In the meantime, take a look at these ten hotties, glare ominously into their eyes like an intrigued Padma Lakshmi, and fight with me in the comments about who should be ranked higher/lower/not at all.
10. Chris Crary (season nine)
You're working with some kind of charm when you can place ninth and still garner the Fan Favorite award, and as you can see, Chris Crary of Top Chef: Texas was working with some fine pectoral charms. Too bad my vision of that season is tainted by weird, vaguely mean-seeming guest judge Pee Wee Herman.
9. Hung Hunyh (season three)
God, I love cockiness. Unabashed, ego-poppin' cockiness. Hung Huynh was a hotshot...
In the meantime, take a look at these ten hotties, glare ominously into their eyes like an intrigued Padma Lakshmi, and fight with me in the comments about who should be ranked higher/lower/not at all.
10. Chris Crary (season nine)
You're working with some kind of charm when you can place ninth and still garner the Fan Favorite award, and as you can see, Chris Crary of Top Chef: Texas was working with some fine pectoral charms. Too bad my vision of that season is tainted by weird, vaguely mean-seeming guest judge Pee Wee Herman.
9. Hung Hunyh (season three)
God, I love cockiness. Unabashed, ego-poppin' cockiness. Hung Huynh was a hotshot...
- 11/13/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
Last night's Top Chef All-Stars ended with not one, but two eliminations. Season one's Stephen Asprinio was sent home (but does it even count since he's not a working chef and even he's admitted he only returned for the publicity?) as was Dale Levitski, executive chef of Chicago's Sprout restaurant. We caught up with Dale earlier today as he was making his way to work. Read on to find out what he had say about having to pack his knives so early in the competition, his message to Oprah and who he hates on the show… You said in your exit interview that you were surprised to go home so early. So what happened? You'll hear that every week because this is what we do. This is...
- 12/17/2010
- E! Online
"And they told two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on"
The FCKH8 Campaign features people flipping the bird and saying "F**k" a lot, and now they're selling a "Str8 Against Hate" calendar with the tag line "Str8 dudes take it off so the homos can get their rights on." For each $10 dollar calendar sold, $2 dollars will go to fund the fight for equal marriage rights and gay youth suicide prevention. Matt Lucas sued The Daily Mail over an article it published after his former partner's suicide, and he' s now won "substantial undisclosed damages" and a public apology. Winona Ryder tells GQ that she knew 15 years ago that Mel Gibson was an anti-Semite and homophobe, but no one believed her. Top Chef Spoiler warning! Out chef Dale Levitski was eliminated on last night's Top Chef: All Stars, and below you can see his exit interview,...
The FCKH8 Campaign features people flipping the bird and saying "F**k" a lot, and now they're selling a "Str8 Against Hate" calendar with the tag line "Str8 dudes take it off so the homos can get their rights on." For each $10 dollar calendar sold, $2 dollars will go to fund the fight for equal marriage rights and gay youth suicide prevention. Matt Lucas sued The Daily Mail over an article it published after his former partner's suicide, and he' s now won "substantial undisclosed damages" and a public apology. Winona Ryder tells GQ that she knew 15 years ago that Mel Gibson was an anti-Semite and homophobe, but no one believed her. Top Chef Spoiler warning! Out chef Dale Levitski was eliminated on last night's Top Chef: All Stars, and below you can see his exit interview,...
- 12/16/2010
- by snicks
- The Backlot
Top Chef: All-Stars' Dale Levitski tried to take a risk when tasked with making a dish inspired by chef David Burke's style, but his whimsy veal with popcorn and peanuts was just too over-the-top for the judges' taste. TVGuide.com caught up with Chicago native and Sprout restaurant owner to find out what he thinks contributed to the downfall of the dish and why he calls being eliminated "a compliment." Plus: See what message he has for his fellow cheftestants. ...
Read More >...
Read More >...
- 12/16/2010
- by Gina DiNunno
- TVGuide.com - Features
Top Chef: All-Stars' Dale Levitski tried to take a risk when tasked with making a dish inspired by chef David Burke's style, but his whimsy veal with popcorn and peanuts was just too over-the-top for the judges' taste. TVGuide.com caught up with Chicago native and Sprout restaurant owner to find out what he thinks contributed to the downfall of the dish and why he calls being eliminated "a compliment." Plus: See what message he has for his fellow cheftestants. ...
Read More >...
Read More >...
- 12/16/2010
- by Gina DiNunno
- TVGuide - Breaking News
After several weeks of competition it was time for the remaining chefs to really make an impression. And on Wednesday night's Top Chef: All-Stars, they did that - literally. Split into teams, the contestants were tasked with replicating four famous chefs' signature styles and cooking up a dish the esteemed bunch would be proud to serve at their various New York City restaurants. First, though, for a Quickfire challenge, David Chang (of Momofuku fame) paid a visit. The contestants were split into four teams to begin a Top Chef favorite: the mise en place relay race, in which they...
- 12/16/2010
- by Brian Orloff
- PEOPLE.com
Welcome to Top Chef All-Stars: Sometimes They Come Back. Eighteen of the best also-ran cheftestants are in the Big Apple to redeem themselves and maybe take home the title and $200,000, the biggest purse in Top Chef history. Out bisexual chef Tiffani Faison is the first in the door and promptly tells the camera she plans to cook her nuts off. Out lesbian chef Jamie Lauren follows shortly after with tats blazing and proceeds to tell the camera that she is there to kick ass. So, be warned, the chefbians are all about doing major damage to privates parts this time around.
And we've also got Top Chef: Miami runner-up Dale Levitski along Casey who also made the final three in Miami! Dale talks about how "one or two little mistakes" cost thim the title adn that this time he doesn't want to make any mistakes.
As all the returning...
And we've also got Top Chef: Miami runner-up Dale Levitski along Casey who also made the final three in Miami! Dale talks about how "one or two little mistakes" cost thim the title adn that this time he doesn't want to make any mistakes.
As all the returning...
- 12/3/2010
- by Dorothy Snarker
- The Backlot
Every week we're going to pick the gays who made the biggest splash on television and let you, the keepers of the flame, decide who will be crowned Gay of the Week. We'll announce the winner the following Monday, and that champion will reign until a new set of challengers are unveiled the following week.
Let's get to this week's nominees!
Teddy Montgomery, 90210
We continued to be drawn into Teddy's struggle to come out, and this week he took a major step in coming out to himself. After attending the same party as Ian (but keeping his distance) Teddy finally admitted to himself that that he has feelings for Ian. After the party, Teddy gave Ian a helping hand cleaning up, followed by a kiss that made Ian's legs wobbly.
Cesar Galindo, The Fashion Show
Two week's ago, Cesar moved from the House of Nami to the struggling House of Emerald.
Let's get to this week's nominees!
Teddy Montgomery, 90210
We continued to be drawn into Teddy's struggle to come out, and this week he took a major step in coming out to himself. After attending the same party as Ian (but keeping his distance) Teddy finally admitted to himself that that he has feelings for Ian. After the party, Teddy gave Ian a helping hand cleaning up, followed by a kiss that made Ian's legs wobbly.
Cesar Galindo, The Fashion Show
Two week's ago, Cesar moved from the House of Nami to the struggling House of Emerald.
- 12/3/2010
- by Lyle Masaki
- The Backlot
The returning chef'testants joining "Top Chef: All Stars," which premieres Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. Et, will see another familiar face joining the Judges Table: Anthony Bourdain.
The "No Reservations" host's regular presence is just one of the many bonuses "Top Chef" fans can expect for this eighth season, in addition to the return of favorite culinary competitors: Season 1 - Stephen Asprinio, Tiffani Faison; Season 2 - Elia Aboumrad, Marcel Vigneron; Season 3 - Dale Levitski, Casey Thompson, Tre Wilcox; Season 4 - Richard Blais, Antonia Lofaso, Spike Mendelsohn, Dale Talde; Season 5 - Carla Hall, Jamie Lauren, Fabio Viviani; Season 6 - Jennifer Carroll, Mike Isabella; and Season 7 - Tiffany Derry and Angelo Sosa.
Will Fabio feel bereft without his European union buddy Stefan Richter? Will Marcel stay out of fights this time around? Has Carla learned her costly sous vide lesson? We've seen the premiere, and after talking to Bourdain and Tom Colicchio,...
The "No Reservations" host's regular presence is just one of the many bonuses "Top Chef" fans can expect for this eighth season, in addition to the return of favorite culinary competitors: Season 1 - Stephen Asprinio, Tiffani Faison; Season 2 - Elia Aboumrad, Marcel Vigneron; Season 3 - Dale Levitski, Casey Thompson, Tre Wilcox; Season 4 - Richard Blais, Antonia Lofaso, Spike Mendelsohn, Dale Talde; Season 5 - Carla Hall, Jamie Lauren, Fabio Viviani; Season 6 - Jennifer Carroll, Mike Isabella; and Season 7 - Tiffany Derry and Angelo Sosa.
Will Fabio feel bereft without his European union buddy Stefan Richter? Will Marcel stay out of fights this time around? Has Carla learned her costly sous vide lesson? We've seen the premiere, and after talking to Bourdain and Tom Colicchio,...
- 12/1/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Dale Levitski
Dale Levitski was runner up on Top Chef: Miami, the third season of the franchise, and he made a lasting impression on gay viewers. Maybe it was his Mohawk, his self-deprecating wit, or his wicked smile, but Dale actually landed at #14 in our 2009 poll asking readers to choose their favorite gay reality show contestants.
After eight seasons Top Chef has finally gotten around to producing an "All-Star" cycle and Dale is one of fifteen memorable chefs returning to compete. Dale will be reunited with fellow Season 3 contestants Tre Wilcox and pal Casey Thompson.
He will also face off against Richard Blais who competed in season four, sported a similar "fauxhawk," and who Dale engaged in a heated blogwar with. (Over the originality of Blais' cooking – not his hairstyle.)
We tried contacting Dale for a comment about his return to Top Chef, but have yet to hear from him.
Dale Levitski was runner up on Top Chef: Miami, the third season of the franchise, and he made a lasting impression on gay viewers. Maybe it was his Mohawk, his self-deprecating wit, or his wicked smile, but Dale actually landed at #14 in our 2009 poll asking readers to choose their favorite gay reality show contestants.
After eight seasons Top Chef has finally gotten around to producing an "All-Star" cycle and Dale is one of fifteen memorable chefs returning to compete. Dale will be reunited with fellow Season 3 contestants Tre Wilcox and pal Casey Thompson.
He will also face off against Richard Blais who competed in season four, sported a similar "fauxhawk," and who Dale engaged in a heated blogwar with. (Over the originality of Blais' cooking – not his hairstyle.)
We tried contacting Dale for a comment about his return to Top Chef, but have yet to hear from him.
- 9/27/2010
- by AfterElton.com Staff
- The Backlot
Last night, during Bravo's Top Chef reunion special, the cabler finally took the wraps off of one of television's worst-kept secrets: that next season of Top Chef would be an all-stars edition that would bring back 18 former contestants to battle it out for another chance at the title. Top Chef All-Stars will launch December 1st at 10 pm Et/Pt and will feature the return of Anthony Bourdain as well, as he segues from guest judge to full-on regular judge. (He'll rotate with Food & Wine's Gail Simmons.) As for the contestants, they are some of the ones you would most expect would be in the running: Elia Aboumrad; Stephen Asprinio; Richard Blais; Jennifer Carroll; Tiffany Derry; Tiffani Faison; Carla Hall; Mike Isabella; Jamie Lauren; Dale Levitski; Antonia Lofaso; Spike Mendelsohn; Angelo Sosa; Dale Talde; Casey Thompson; Marcel Vigneron; Fabio Viviani; and Tre Wilcox. Personally, I'm thrilled to see Jennifer Carroll and...
- 9/23/2010
- by Jace
- Televisionary
Call it sweet justice for us fans, but after a snooze-worthy seventh season of Top Chef, the cooking competition is returning Dec. 1 (10 p.m.) for an All-Stars edition in New York City with some of our favorite past contestants, including Richard Blais (season 4), Fabio Viviani (season 5), Jennifer Carroll (season 6) and — the one I’m most excited about — Carla Hall (season 5). Judging by the full roster, Bravo went for talent in the kitchen as opposed to talent for drama, so expect a nail-biter of a season. Check out the complete list of 18 cheftestants who’ll duke it out:
- Elia Aboumrad...
- Elia Aboumrad...
- 9/23/2010
- by Archana Ram
- EW.com - PopWatch
After seven seasons, "Top Chef" tries to revamp it up with an All-Stars edition. 18 faces from previous seasons are brought back to the kitchen to fight each other and win the title of the ultimate Top Chef. The first look of who these great talents are has been released by TV Guide.
From season 1, there are Tiffani Faison and Steven Asprinio, the former of which almost won the competition against winner Harold Dieterle. Second season's personality Marcel Vigneron will join his former peer Elia Aboumrad. From season 3, Casey Thompson and Dale Levitski would put their friendship to rest for a battle in the kitchen against Texan Tre Wilcox.
Richard Blais from season 4 is reunited with Antonia Lofaso, Spike Mendelsohn and Dale Talde while fan favorite Fabio Viviani from season 5 is taking a second chance along with Jamie Lauren and Carla Hall. Representing 6th season are Jennifer Carroll and Mike Isabella...
From season 1, there are Tiffani Faison and Steven Asprinio, the former of which almost won the competition against winner Harold Dieterle. Second season's personality Marcel Vigneron will join his former peer Elia Aboumrad. From season 3, Casey Thompson and Dale Levitski would put their friendship to rest for a battle in the kitchen against Texan Tre Wilcox.
Richard Blais from season 4 is reunited with Antonia Lofaso, Spike Mendelsohn and Dale Talde while fan favorite Fabio Viviani from season 5 is taking a second chance along with Jamie Lauren and Carla Hall. Representing 6th season are Jennifer Carroll and Mike Isabella...
- 9/23/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The rumors are true. So if the "Top Chef: DC" finale annoyed you as much as it did most everyone else, you'll be pretty thrilled to know that the next season of Bravo's culinary competition is bringing back your favorite alums from the first seven outings.
During the "DC" reunion, in which the case of the stolen pea puree was finally settled (not guilty!), Andy Cohen confirmed that Season 8 will bring the series back to New York for "Top Chef: All Stars."
The cast of 18 alums includes plenty of fan favorites and a few baddies. Let's break them down:
Tiffani Faison, Season 1, San Francisco
Stephen Asprinio, Season 1, San Francisco
Elia Aboumrad, Season 2, Los Angeles
Marcel Vigneron, Season 2, Los Angeles
Casey Thompson, Season 3, Miami
Tre Wilcox, Season 3, Miami
Dale Levitsky, Season 3, Miami
Richard Blais, Season 4, Chicago
Antonia Lofaso, Season 4, Chicago
Dale Talde, Season 4, Chicago
Spike Mendelsohn, Season 4, Chicago
Carla Hall, Season 5, New York
Fabio Viviani,...
During the "DC" reunion, in which the case of the stolen pea puree was finally settled (not guilty!), Andy Cohen confirmed that Season 8 will bring the series back to New York for "Top Chef: All Stars."
The cast of 18 alums includes plenty of fan favorites and a few baddies. Let's break them down:
Tiffani Faison, Season 1, San Francisco
Stephen Asprinio, Season 1, San Francisco
Elia Aboumrad, Season 2, Los Angeles
Marcel Vigneron, Season 2, Los Angeles
Casey Thompson, Season 3, Miami
Tre Wilcox, Season 3, Miami
Dale Levitsky, Season 3, Miami
Richard Blais, Season 4, Chicago
Antonia Lofaso, Season 4, Chicago
Dale Talde, Season 4, Chicago
Spike Mendelsohn, Season 4, Chicago
Carla Hall, Season 5, New York
Fabio Viviani,...
- 9/23/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Reality Reiterated: A Real Life "Glee," the "Real World"'s Ryan is Really, Really Straight and More!
Here at AfterElton.com we know you want to keep up with all that’s happening in gay/bi pop culture, but that can be awfully hard with your busy lives and all the places us queer folks are popping up these days. That’s especially true on reality television where gay/bi men are in one day and out the next, packing their knives and going home, and getting their torches snuffed after the tribe has spoken.
So to help you keep track of all that happens each week in the land of reality TV we’re introducing our new column Reality Reiterated, which will recap a variety of shows that either have gay/bi content or just might be of gay interest! But be warned, there will be spoilers, so don’t read if you haven’t watched yet.
And now off we go into the nutty world of “reality” television!
So to help you keep track of all that happens each week in the land of reality TV we’re introducing our new column Reality Reiterated, which will recap a variety of shows that either have gay/bi content or just might be of gay interest! But be warned, there will be spoilers, so don’t read if you haven’t watched yet.
And now off we go into the nutty world of “reality” television!
- 7/16/2010
- by JerriB
- The Backlot
Chris Colfer pitches Kurtain Magazine, GQ bests CNN, Modern Family is full of equals, and Ellen gives us Butt Drugs.
Matthew Morrison dressed in white...
The newest TV Guide Magazine has the cast of Glee on the cover in their Madonna-finest. Oddly, a local magazine called Prerogative has Jayma Mays on the cover as she grew up just over the Virginia border in Grundy. Cover of TV Guide Magazine
In the UK, the city of Leicester is trying to engineer a "gay village" or as we'd call it, gayborhood by selling shares to the community. Over in the colonies we generally just find a dilapidated neighborhood and buy it. With the return of Top Chef Masters, Edge has a roundup of the gay history of Top Chef. Included is Dale Levitski, who always looks guilty of something fun in his photos. I'd ordinarily save this for Meme, but it...
Matthew Morrison dressed in white...
The newest TV Guide Magazine has the cast of Glee on the cover in their Madonna-finest. Oddly, a local magazine called Prerogative has Jayma Mays on the cover as she grew up just over the Virginia border in Grundy. Cover of TV Guide Magazine
In the UK, the city of Leicester is trying to engineer a "gay village" or as we'd call it, gayborhood by selling shares to the community. Over in the colonies we generally just find a dilapidated neighborhood and buy it. With the return of Top Chef Masters, Edge has a roundup of the gay history of Top Chef. Included is Dale Levitski, who always looks guilty of something fun in his photos. I'd ordinarily save this for Meme, but it...
- 4/12/2010
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
A month before the next Top Chef is crowned, we take a break from everything tonight as we welcome past Top Chef favorites with the hosting of Top Chef: All Stars Dinner at 10pm. Season five fan favorite Fabio Viviani take the reins as host of the get-together with a challenge as past chef-testants rehash their favorite moments on the series.
The Top Chef returnees include a mixture of both favorite sand winners, such as Harold Dieterle, Marcel Vigneron, Ilan Hall, Dale Levitski, Casey Thompson, Hung Huynh, Richard Blais, Carla Hall, and Stefan Richter. Marcel and Fabio will go head to head, so will Carla and Casey, but in a different fashion, as the two confront each other fro the first time since the controversial season five finale.
The Top Chef returnees include a mixture of both favorite sand winners, such as Harold Dieterle, Marcel Vigneron, Ilan Hall, Dale Levitski, Casey Thompson, Hung Huynh, Richard Blais, Carla Hall, and Stefan Richter. Marcel and Fabio will go head to head, so will Carla and Casey, but in a different fashion, as the two confront each other fro the first time since the controversial season five finale.
- 11/3/2009
- by editor@buddytv.com
- buddytv.com
It's hard to believe at times that we're nearly almost done with the sixth season of Bravo's addictive culinary competition series Top Chef. What better time then to take a look back than just before we anoint another new Top Chef to join the ranks of the blessed few? Tomorrow night, Bravo will take a break from the current competition for the Top Chef Reunion Dinner, which will offer audiences a chance to see cast members from previous seasons of Top Chef come together for an evening of conversation, competition, and confrontation. And, yes, those three things play an equal weight in the unfolding of the evening, which is hosted by Top Chef: New York competitor Fabio Viviani at Social Hollywood. Joining Fabio for the reunion are such noteworthy former competitors as Harold Dieterle, Tiffany Faison, Marcel Vigneron, Ilan Hall, Dale Levitski, Casey Thompson, Hung Huynh, Richard Blais, Lisa Fernandes,...
- 11/3/2009
- by Jace
- Televisionary
The sixth season of Bravo's Top Chef begins next month, and we've got a first look at the season's one out gay man (and two gay women).
Look below for pics and profiles, and be sure and catch the season premiere of Top Chef (this year from Las Vegas) when it airs on Wednesday, August 19th at 9Pm Est (and for a refresher on what it's like being an out Top Chef contestant, check out our interview with Season Four Chef Dale Levitski.)
Ash Fulk
Age: 29
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, Calif. - currently resides in New York City
Profession:: Sous Chef at Trestle on Tenth
Culinary Education: Self-Taught
Favorite Simple Summer Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Mayonnaise - with a sweet tea to wash it down.
Foodie Fact: Fulk enjoys working with foods that are regional and seasonal and follows the motto "if it grows together, it goes together.
Look below for pics and profiles, and be sure and catch the season premiere of Top Chef (this year from Las Vegas) when it airs on Wednesday, August 19th at 9Pm Est (and for a refresher on what it's like being an out Top Chef contestant, check out our interview with Season Four Chef Dale Levitski.)
Ash Fulk
Age: 29
Hometown: Pleasant Hill, Calif. - currently resides in New York City
Profession:: Sous Chef at Trestle on Tenth
Culinary Education: Self-Taught
Favorite Simple Summer Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Mayonnaise - with a sweet tea to wash it down.
Foodie Fact: Fulk enjoys working with foods that are regional and seasonal and follows the motto "if it grows together, it goes together.
- 7/20/2009
- by snicks
- The Backlot
While the number of gay/bisexual characters on scripted television has, at best, held steady over the past decade (and doesn’t exactly represent the diversity of gay men in the real world), it’s a different story when it comes to the depiction of gay men on reality television. Indeed, along with the explosion of reality programming has come a dramatic increase in the numbers and types of gay and bisexual men appearing on our television screens.
From the groundbreaking appearance of Pedro Zamora on The Real World: San Francisco to the current seasons of The Amazing Race, Survivor: Tocantins, and Make Me a Supermodel, there is a breadth of gay men that is quite frankly astounding.
In fact, there have now been so many gay and bisexual men on reality television that we decided to let AfterElton.com readers choose their favorites of all time. Here...
From the groundbreaking appearance of Pedro Zamora on The Real World: San Francisco to the current seasons of The Amazing Race, Survivor: Tocantins, and Make Me a Supermodel, there is a breadth of gay men that is quite frankly astounding.
In fact, there have now been so many gay and bisexual men on reality television that we decided to let AfterElton.com readers choose their favorites of all time. Here...
- 4/2/2009
- by dennis
- The Backlot
'Top Chef: Chicago” (9 p.m. Wednesday, Bravo) is the TV equivalent of comfort food. In its three previous seasons, the cooking contest has not varied its recipe much, episode to episode, yet it manages to be satisfying enough.
There’s a reason the show has stuck to its formula. It’s the same reason people visit their favorite restaurants again and again: because they want to know what they’ll be getting.
Most elements of the Bravo reality show aren’t much of a surprise. The chefs are mostly young, driven and tattooed, and most of the male contestants are as bold and brash as they have been in past seasons. One of the most cocky cooks, a braggart named Andrew, declares, “They’re going to find out really soon what’s up!”
“They” are the other contestants, who don’t pay Andrew much attention, at least in the season opener.
There’s a reason the show has stuck to its formula. It’s the same reason people visit their favorite restaurants again and again: because they want to know what they’ll be getting.
Most elements of the Bravo reality show aren’t much of a surprise. The chefs are mostly young, driven and tattooed, and most of the male contestants are as bold and brash as they have been in past seasons. One of the most cocky cooks, a braggart named Andrew, declares, “They’re going to find out really soon what’s up!”
“They” are the other contestants, who don’t pay Andrew much attention, at least in the season opener.
- 3/11/2008
- by Tempo
- The Watcher
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