TV chef show earns respect of experts, loyal fans

By Richard Leong

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - "Top Chef", the reality food show that serves up drama along with creative dishes each week, has gained the respect of culinary experts as well as a loyal following of foodies.

Sixteen contestants will be vying for the top $100,000 prize in the fourth season of the show that begins on Wednesday.

"The caliber of chefs just gets deeper. Any of these chefs could come away and win," said award-winning chef and member of the judging panel Tom Colicchio.

Each week Colicchio and a panel of judges led by host Padma Lakshmi dismiss a contestant whom they deem made the worst dish.

Although better chefs meant better food, it also made the judging harder.

"It made me a nicer person at the judges' table," said Canadian food critic Gail Simmons, one of the regular judges.

"Although I was better fed, my job became more difficult," she added.

The show on the Bravo cable channel attracted an average of nearly 2.5 million viewers last season and leading chefs like Eric Ripert, who acted as a guest judge.