It’s the moment of truth. After months of the strictest secrecy, we can finally spill the beans about the filmed-in-Wisco “Top Chef” season 21. Fourteen episodes (1 hour 15 minutes each) of the reality cooking competition will air every Wednesday at 8 p.m. beginning March 20. The show features 15 professional chefs who compete against each other in culinary challenges. One or more “cheftestants” are eliminated in each episode. New series host Kristen Kish (herself a “Top Chef” winner) is joined by judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons. Here are the best nuggets the show’s tight-lipped PR team would reveal ahead of the air date:
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
- In one challenge – inspired by the Milwaukee Brewers’ Racing Sausages – the cheftestants are asked to cook – and “elevate” – five different types of sausages.
- After observing an old-fashioned Door County fish boil, the chefs are asked to create their own, with help from alumni of previous “Top Chef” seasons. MilMag was present at the filming of this episode last summer; we also observed a competitive cheese festival and “Top Chef’s” annual “restaurant wars” episode. (We’ll be able to tell you more closer to the episode air date; stay tuned!)
- One of the 15 food pros competing for the “Top Chef” title is Milwaukee’s own Dan Jacobs, co-owner of DanDan and EsterEv. Since moving to Milwaukee in 2011, the Chicago native has worked in the kitchens of Roots Restaurant, Wolf Peach and Odd Duck. He’s also been nominated several times for a James Beard Foundation Award.
“Top Chef” season 21 premieres March 20 on Bravo (streaming March 21 on Peacock). Join Milwaukee Magazine for a watch party to view episode 3 on April 3 at Enlightened Brewing with a surprise guest judge from this season. Stay tuned for information about VIP tickets for the event.
