BRAVO'S "TOP CHEF: NEW YORK" ON PACE TO MARK HIGHEST RATED SEASON EVER, UP DOUBLE DIGITS FROM FOURTH CYCLE

"Top Chef: The Cookbook" Hits The New York Times Best Sellers List

Food Critic and Acclaimed Author Toby Young Joins The Judges Panel

NEW YORK � January 5, 2009 � Bravo's Emmy and James-Beard Award-winning series and the No. 1 rated food show on cable, "Top Chef," is on pace to record its highest-rated season ever, with its most recent supersized original episode garnering a season high 3.125 million total viewers on (12/17/08), according to Nielsen Media Research. Bravo was the No. 1 cable network in the time period (10 � 11:15 p.m.) among adults 18-49 and total viewers, and the episode with special guest judge Martha Stewart was the No. 1 cable telecast of the day among adults 18-49. Through six episodes, "Top Chef: New York" has seen double-digit growth, up 21 percent among adults 18-49 (1.914 vs. 1.584 million) and up 19 percent among total viewers (2.741 vs. 2.30 million), compared to the series fourth cycle.

Bravo Media's "Top Chef: The Cookbook" hit the New York Times best sellers list on December 29, 2008, and is currently in its third reprint, since launching in March 2008. The cookbook, featuring 100 recipes from former "Top Chef" chef'testants and an introduction by lead judge Tom Colicchio, is No. 9 on the New York Times' "Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous" category.

On this week's "Top Chef: New York," airing Wednesday, January 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, cooking excellent food takes focus � and no one is more focused than the chef'testants. Their quickfire challenge demands they create a sweet treat without using any sugar and in the elimination round, the chefs must serve to an interesting crowd. Toby Young, food critic and best-selling author joins the series as a judge, stepping in through the end of the season. Michelin and 5AA Rosette award-winning chef, restaurateur, and star of Bravo's upcoming "Chef Academy," Jean-Christophe Novelli, serves as guest judge.

"Top Chef: New York" is produced by the Emmy-nominated Magical Elves. Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz ("Project Runway," "Top Design") and Shauna Minoprio serve as executive producers.

Source: Nielsen Media Research, Live + Same Day through 12/18/08.

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