News Release

Chefs from National Restaurant Association Member Restaurants to Compete in New Season of Bravo’s Top Chef

August 03, 2009
Contact: Annika Stensson (202) 973-3677, Mike Donohue (202) 331-5902

(Washington, D.C.) As the sixth season of Bravo’s top-rated culinary series Top Chef: Las Vegas debuts, the National Restaurant Association is recognizing chefs from five member restaurants in Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York City and Washington, D.C., who are all participating in the show. The popularity of the television show and participation of Association members underscore the many career opportunities in the restaurant industry.

“These individuals symbolize the entrepreneurial spirit and opportunities that are so prevalent in our industry, and they will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for many aspiring chefs and current professionals,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “Our industry is full of success stories of people who have realized their dream of opening a restaurant of their own or running the kitchen of an established eatery. It speaks volumes that several Association member restaurants are represented on this popular television show, and we wish the chefs best of luck.”

The chefs representing restaurants that are members of the National Restaurant Association, as well as their state restaurant association, are:

Eve Aronoff, chef/owner of Eve the Restaurant in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Ash Fulk, sous chef at Trestle on Tenth in New York City

Kevin Gillespie, executive chef/partner of Woodfire Grill in Atlanta

Michael Isabella, executive chef at Zaytinya in Washington, D.C.

Bryan Voltaggio, chef/partner of VOLT in Frederick, Md.

The restaurant industry is the second largest private-sector employer in the nation with 13 million employees. In the next decade, the industry is expected to create an additional 1.8 million positions, including 19,000 chef positions.

Working in the restaurant industry also provides a path to the American Dream of owning a business, and restaurants owned by women and minorities are growing at a faster pace than overall restaurant ownership.

The National Restaurant Association’s mission is to help its members – the cornerstone of their communities – build customer loyalty, rewarding careers and financial success. The Association provides value for its members through advocacy and representation; tools and solutions; education and networking; research and insights; and responsible stewardship. It works closely with its state restaurant association partners to provide added member value. For more information, go to www.restaurant.org.

Former Top Chef contestants and winners have participated in the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show – the premier trade show for restaurant and hospitality industry professionals to explore new trends and products. NRA Show 2010 will be held May 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The sixth season of the No. 1 food show on cable, Bravo’s Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series returns with Top Chef: Las Vegas, premiering Wednesday, August 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The 17 new chef'testants take on Sin City this season to see if they have what it takes to become Top Chef. Bravo's Top Chef offers a fascinating window into the competitive, pressure-filled environment of world-class cookery and the restaurant business at the highest level. The series features seventeen aspiring chefs who compete for their shot at culinary stardom and the chance to earn the prestigious title of Top Chef. For more information and chef bios, go to www.bravotv.com/top-chef.