Bravo Spices It Up With New Reality Series "Top Chef"  3/1/06

BRAVO AND TIME WARNER CABLE SPICE IT UP WITH BRAVO'S ORIGINAL COMPETITIVE REALITY SERIES "TOP CHEF" AND GIVE VIEWERS AN INTERACTIVE VIEWING EXPERIENCE

VIEWERS CAN WATCH AND RESPOND TO QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE SHOW USING THEIR REMOTE CONTROL BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

THE "TOP CHEF WINE & DINE" SWEEPSTAKES LAUNCHES ON MARCH 1 AND GIVES VIEWERS A CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO AMERICA'S CULINARY MECCA, SAN FRANCISCO AND NAPA VALLEY

NEW YORK -- February 28, 2006 -- Bravo teams with Time Warner Cable to offer digital subscribers an interactive television experience that will give Bravo viewers a unique viewing experience. Viewers will have the opportunity to both watch and interact with their television sets throughout the premiere season of "Top Chef," Bravo's new reality competition series debuting Wednesday, March 8 @ 11:00 p.m. The one-hour series celebrating rising culinary talent moves to its regular 10:00 p.m. timeslot on Wednesday, March 15.

Available to nearly half of Time Warner Cable divisions, this interactive television experience will engage viewers and test their knowledge of the high-end and competitive world of "Top Chef." In each episode, viewers will be invited to respond with their remote control to a series of topical questions that will pop up on the screen at precise moments during the course of each episode in the ten-week series. The questions will relate directly to what is happening on the series. Viewer responses to the questions will be highlighted on their television sets through an on-screen graphic, allowing viewers to see how others responded in real time in their local markets.

"Bravo's mission is to present arts entertainment that is both influential and aspirational, and 'Top Chef' is our newest series that celebrates creativity...this time in the kitchen," said Lauren Zalaznick, President, Bravo. "Our viewers connect with the personalities on screen and this is a great opportunity for them to reflect on what they see and interact with the show and each other."

Bravo and Time Warner Cable are also offering viewers the opportunity to experience and interact with the world of "Top Chef" with the "Top Chef Wine & Dine" sweepstakes. Time Warner Cable subscribers are invited to enter the national sweepstakes to win a four-day/three night trip to San Francisco and the Napa Valley, a region emerging for its innovative cuisine and also the shooting location of "Top Chef." Viewers may enter the Bravo sweepstakes between March 1-21 by logging onto www.BravotTV.com/napatrip.com .One local winner will be selected in each participating market and will receive roundtrip tickets and accommodations for a 4-day/3-night trip for two to American's culinary mecca, San Francisco and Napa Valley.

"Top Chef" celebrates the talents of twelve emerging chefs who head to San Francisco for their shot at culinary stardom and the chance to earn a $100,000 grand prize and the prestigious title of "Top Chef." The winner of the series will also be featured in Food & Wine magazine and have the opportunity to showcase their culinary talents at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Gourmet "foodie" Katie Lee Joel will host the series. Tom Colicchio, one of the culinary world's most celebrated figures and co-owner of Gramercy Tavern and Craft Restaurants, serves as chief chef/judge on the show; food expert Gail Simmons of Food & Wine magazine also lends her savvy expertise as a regular featured judge on "Top Chef."

Each episode holds two challenges for the chefs. The first is a quickfire test of their basic abilities and the second is a more involved elimination challenge designed to test the versatility and innovation of the chefs as they take on unique culinary trials such as working with unusual and exotic foods or catering for a range of demanding clients.

Source: Bravo Press Release