Bravo's 'Top Chef 3: Miami' Cast Reunites at Resolution Digital Studios for Reunion Episode

Bravo's 'Top Chef 3: Miami' Cast Reunites at Resolution Digital Studios for Reunion Episode

CHICAGO, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- All 15 "Top Chef 3: Miami" chef 'testants reunited at Resolution Digital Studios in Chicago to shoot a reunion show. Bravo's "Top Chef: Watch What Happens Special" reunites the entire cast with host Padma Lakshmi, head-judge Tom Colicchio, judge Gail Simmons and culinary expert Ted Allen to recap the season and talk about what's next for "Top Chef".

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071010/AQW121)

"Top Chef" is a reality competition series offering a fascinating look into competitive and pressure-filled world-class culinary arts. Each week a group of talented chefs were given a culinary challenge, while well known judges eliminated one contestant each week on their way to this season's finale.

Only last week, for the first time in Bravo's history, the Network spiced up the finale of their Emmy-nominated hit series by producing a live broadcast. While the show is normally shot on location, the finale announcement of the winner of "Top Chef 3: Miami" was served up in real time from Chicago's Resolution Digital Studios (RDS).

In collaboration with the series' producers Magical Elves, Bravo set their sites on Chicago's Resolution Digital Studios to host the season finale and reveal the winner to a live national audience. Chicago was chosen because it will be home to season four of "Top Chef".

The "Top Chef" crew recreated their set on RDS's main stage. Resolution Digital Studios, a division of Show Department, Inc. provided Sony HD24p cameras, complete production package and handled the live feed via Vyvx fiber optic transmission. Show Department rigged a custom lighting grid and provided house audio systems. The HD24p signal was downconverted to achieve Bravo's desired film look.

With the competition and all of their food challenges behind them, the three finalists took center stage. While a studio audience of friends, family and former contestants looked on -- the judges' decision was finally revealed on live television. Hung Huynh had won -- he was Top Chef, having out-cooked Chicago-native Dale Levitski and Casey Thompson from Dallas.

Bravo execs, guests, and cast shifted attention from the serious work of a successful live broadcast to festivities throughout the studio complex in celebration on the show's third season. The 250 guests in attendance enjoyed the after party that overlooked Chicago's skyline.

The live broadcast from Resolution Digital Studios earned Bravo the no. 1 spot in cable entertainment programming for adult viewers 18-49 in the evening's time slot, attracting more than three million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research reports.

Bravo's "Top Chef: Watch What Happens Special" reunion show is scheduled to air on Bravo tonight -- Wednesday October 10th, 2007 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. For more information, visit http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef.

About Resolution Digital Studios

Resolution Digital Studios, owned by brothers Lee Facklis and Jeff Facklis, is a comprehensive video production studio located in Chicago. The facility offers multiple stages and shooting spaces in a 32,000 sq. ft. hi-def production and post complex. The facility produces deliverables for a wide range of platforms including, broadcast and live production, commercials, broadband mobile, new media production, sound design and original music composition including video game soundtracks, and film work including independent projects, features, shorts, documentaries and original content. Resolution Digital Studios (http://www.rdschicago.com/) is a division of Show Department, Inc.

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071010/AQW121
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Source: Resolution Digital Studios

CONTACT: Diane Mercurio - Director of Marketing of Resolution Digital
Studios, +1-312-846-4226, info@RDSChicago.com

Web site: http://www.rdschicago.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment