http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-bravotopchefjuniorjeanchristophenovelli,0,4046729.story
Bravo Cooks up 'Top Chef Junior,' Sexiest Chef Docu-Series
Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli will try to make it in the USA
Zap2It.com
June 11 2008
Fans of "Top Chef: Chicago" can look forward to more culinary competition after the finale tonight.
Bravo announced Wednesday (June 11) that it's developing "Top Chef Junior" and has picked up eight episodes of foodculinary series, the untitled "Jean-Christophe Novelli Project" featuring the French celebrity chef.
"With 'Top Chef' as the number one food show on cable comes the natural expansion in our food domain," says Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Bravo Media. "With 'Top Chef Junior' we're reaching a growing market and are developing a series that will teach and test the skills of younger aspiring chefs and appeal to the whole family. We feel that Jean-Christophe Novelli's reputation, personality and expertise will prove incredibly enticing to our passionate core audience."
On "Top Chef Junior" (working title), teens aged 13-16 will compete to snag the title of Top Chef. Even though "Top Chef" airs at 10-11 p.m. on Wednesdays, the show ranks in the Top 15 among kids/teens 2-17 in that time period versus ad-supported cable entertainment networks.
Novelli will star in his own docu-series that chronicles his move to Los Angeles to open a cooking school training chefs. Voted "World's Sexiest Chef" by the New York Times, the 47-year-old will bring the expertise that won him the Michelin and 5AA Rosette awards to the United States. The show will feature his new business venture as well as follow his students' efforts to live up to his teachings.
