Amanda Rockman Leaves Just Desserts, Top Chef 9 Could Have Heavy Chicago Flavor

By Anthony Todd in Food on Sep 22, 2011 3:00PM

It's been a (we can't believe we're going to say this) poignant few days in the world of reality food television, at least as far as Chicago chefs are concerned. Pastry Chef Amanda Rockman, who made a good showing for several episodes of Top Chef: Just Desserts, was kicked off the show last night. Just hours before, we'd gotten the news that Heather Terhune (of Sable Kitchen and Bar) and several other Chicago contestants auditioned for Top Chef Season 9.

We'd learned about Terhune a few weeks back, but couldn't let the cat out of the bag until things were confirmed - she'd gone on a "vacation" from Sable of indeterminate length and was spotted at various places in Texas. However, she's not the only one - Sarah Gruneberg of Spiaggia also auditioned, along with Richie Farina and Chris Jones of moto, Beverly Kim of Aria and Chuy Valencia of Chilam Balam.

The show premiers on Wednesday, Nov. 2, where a field of 29 chefs is narrowed to the 16 contestants who will compete.

Check out Heather's introduction:

And Amanda's farewell: