Will Seattle, in Fact, Host Top Chef?
We’ll know in a few weeks.
Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Feb 02, 2012 at 01:50PM
5 Comments
Earlier this week Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau president Tom Norwalk caused a significant uproar amidst food nerds locally and nationally when he let fly to KIRO’s Josh Kerns the fact that Seattle is a finalist to host the next season of Top Chef.
Norwalk confirmed to Seattle Met that our city is indeed one of two remaining contenders for the culinary competition reality show: “We got close last year and didn’t get the nod.” He says the final decision should come within the next few weeks.
At issue for this season, and any season, is whether the host city can pony up enough money to help cover production costs, an estimated $200,000 to $300,000. In exchange, Seattle would be the setting for at least 10 episodes of chef competition, culinary hijinx, restaurant wars, man buns, and the occasional on-camera meltdown. A Seattle-based season would guarantee lots of Space Needle, fish-throwing, and local chef cameos on millions of TV screens around the country.
Top Chef won’t share the identity of the other city vying for hosting rights, says Norwalk, though we’re hearing some (highly unconfirmed) rumors that Portland was also under consideration.
If Seattle doesn’t make the cut again this year, at least we’re still in for some local restaurant television action with the upcoming premiere of Check, Please! Northwest. There’s also the Top Chef season nine finale in Vancouver.
Tags: Reality TV, Seattle on TV, Top Chef
It might be a good idea to encourage the Seattle Film Office to put filming Top Chef: Season 10 on the fast track. I’m planning on emailing them and including saying they should suggest Top Chef to an episode revolving around the 50th Anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair.
http://www.seattle.gov/filmoffice/
If Portland is the other finalist, I don’t see why they can’t just do a Northwest Top Chef and split up between the two. They’re doing Top Chef Texas, now, spanning from Dallas to San Antonio, and we’re closer to Portland than those two cities are to each other. Besides, I see Portland as our dorky, little brother anyways!
That is brilliant, Heather. I am going to write an email right now to advocate for getting Top Chef here in Seattle. This would be great exposure for our city’s food culture. Let’s keep Seattle in the world’s eye for food, music, art, natural beauty…all the reasons why it’s great!
http://www.seattle.gov/filmoffice/
CDubs, we had the same discussion around our proverbial water cooler here in the office. Though I’m selfish and I think Seattle should have the season all to itself. I’m honestly surprised they would consider us before Portland, since it’s such a darling in the food world right now.
We are supporting the CVB’s leadership every way we can and are prepared to make sure Top Chef has a great film production experience while they are in Seattle. – Seattle Film Office.