TOP CHEF Hits Season High with 1.5 Million Viewers

Bravo Media's "Top Chef" cooked its highest-rated episode of the season-to-date on Wednesday night with 1.5 million total viewers, up 13 percent compared to the prior week (12/12/12), according to Nielsen. The episode earned 924,000 A25-54 (up nine percent over prior week) and 821,000 A18-49, (up 18 percent over prior week). Season four winner and Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chef, Stephanie Izard appeared as guest judge, alongside Gail Simmons, head judge Tom Colicchio and host Padma Lakshmi in Seattle for this episode where the chef'testants struggled with an entire pantry wrapped in aluminum foil.

Driven by the popularity of the transmedia series "Last Chance Kitchen," Bravo also delivered digital success as "Top Chef" on BravoTV.com recorded a 183 percent increase in unique visitors and a 24 percent increase in streams from the prior week's day of premiere, marking its best day of premiere for the season in unique visitors and streams.

It's oysters on the half shell for judge Emeril Lagasse on a new episode next Wednesday, December 26 at 10pm ET/PT when the week's Quickfire has the chef'testants harvesting oysters. In the Elimination Challenge the chef'testants cook for one of the hottest sports teams in Seattle. Padma makes her first appearance on roller skates, and one chef pushes everyone to their limits. Emeril Lagasse and Hugh Acheson join head judge Tom Colicchio and host Padma Lakshmi.

"Top Chef" is produced by the Emmy Award-winning Magical Elves for Bravo. Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serve as executive producers.

Source: On-air-Nielsen Media Research, LS data. Digital-Adobe SiteCatalyst (12/12/12 vs. 12/19/12).