Chicago "chef/consultant" Dale Levitski (formerly of Trio Atelier, La Tache and Orange — Levitski has also spent some time at Stone Lotus) will be Chicago's only representative on season three of Bravo's "Top Chef," a vast improvement from season two, which didn't feature anyone from the Windy City. The self-taught chef uses something called "'flavor math,' where the right number of spices can bring the perfect flavor and taste."
He calls it flavor math, we call it following a recipe, but we guess that is why he is a famous chef and we are Chicagoist.
Season 3 filmed in Miami with the ever-lovely Padma Lakshmi sticking around for a second year of playing hostess. The other big news from Season 3 is that Ted Allen of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" will be a semi-recurring judge.
One thing strikes us as curious about Levitski's inclusion. The first is that two of his recipes have already been included in Food & Wine magazine (one of the prizes is a spread in F & W). It seems a little strange that he would already be acquainted professionally with the staff, or at least an editor there. Not that we are complaining — we hope it gives him a leg up on the competition!
The first episode Season 3 airs June 13.
Image via Bravo.



I used to work with Otto from last season about 10 years ago in Miami. He used to wear the American flag bandana around his neck even back then. Nice guy.
I'm pretty sure no one cares.
It'll be good to see a Chicagoan on Top Chef. Unfortunately, they only seem to bat .500 on Iron Chef.