‘Top Chef’ hopefuls look to carve up the competition

WASHINGTON – The road to becoming the next “Top Chef” goes through the nation’s capital.

“Top Chef,” the hit cooking show on Bravo, held auditions at Graffiato in downtown D.C. Wednesday morning. Graffiato is owned and operated by former “Top Chef” Mike Isabella.

Producers say a few dozen people showed up for the casting call for the show’s 10th season.

The contenders were from parts of the Washington area, and from places as far as Florida, Ohio and South Carolina.

To audition, the candidates had to fill out a lengthy 24-page application, as well as make a 5-minute video about themselves. At Graffiato, they met with the show’s producers in small groups, where they were sized up for personality as well as culinary skill.

“You have to make an immediate impact in that three-minute interview,” Isabella says. “If you make an immediate impact, they’ll call you.”

The show is expected to start shooting in the next few months.

WTOP’s John Aaron contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

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