Bravo greenlights culinary competition show 'Top Chef Amateurs'

Network taps Gail Simmons to host new series featuring passionate home cooks and ‘Top Chef’ all-stars & winners

Bravo expands the James Beard- and Emmy Award-winning franchise with the greenlight of “Top Chef Amateurs.” Hosted by Gail Simmons and produced by Magical Elves, Bravo’s newest culinary competition series gives talented home cooks the opportunity of lifetime to test their skills in the illustrious “Top Chef” kitchen.

Each amateur chef will compete in some of the most iconic challenges from the “Top Chef” archives. Unpacking their knives to step in alongside Simmons are “Top Chef” finalists, frontrunners and fan favorites Eric Adjepong, Richard Blais, Jennifer Carroll, Shirley Chung, Stephanie Cmar, Tiffany Derry, Joe Flamm, Gregory Gourdet, Melissa King, Kwame Onwuachi, Dale Talde and Isaac Toups.

From Tuesday, Oct. 20, through Friday, Oct. 23, Bravo is calling on dedicated fans to cast their vote via Twitter @BravoTopChef to help choose between two iconic “Top Chef” challenges from seasons past to be featured on “Top Chef Amateurs.” The challenges in contention are the classic “Seven Deadly Sins,” where the chefs prepare a stunning seven-course meal reflecting the order of the seven deadly sins; and the memorable “Aphrodisiac Challenge,” where chefs create tempting menus out of indulgent ingredients considered to be aphrodisiacs.

Fans can vote for their favorite challenge by using the hashtag #TopChefSeven or #TopChefAphrodisiac. The winning challenge will be announced Oct. 26.