Bravo's "Top Chef Masters" New Recipe Spices Up the Ratings Delivering Double Digits Increases in Adults 18-49

NEW YORK - April 7, 2011 - Bravo's new recipe for "Top Chef Masters" spiced up the ratings of the season three premiere, delivering 1.01 million total viewers and 716,000 adults 18-49, up 9 percent (vs.931,000) and 31 percent (vs. 547,000) respectively, compared to the previous season premiere, according to Nielsen Media Research. The episode, which aired last night at 11pm ET/PT, introduced new host Curtis Stone and the new format of 12 world-renowned chefs competing elimination-style for a chance to win $100,000 for their charity of choice. The series moves to its regular time slot next Wednesday, April 13 at 10p.m ET/PT. For more information, visit www.BravoTV.com and follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BravoPR.

In next week's episode, the remaining 11 master chefs are in for a treat when two high-profile celebrities visit the Top Chef kitchen. Pop Star and trained chef, Kelis, drops by to judge a very meaty quickfire challenge and then "Mad Men" actress, Christina Hendricks and her husband, actor Geoffry Arend, enlist the help of the cheftestants in a special 60s themed elimination challenge. For a sneak peek:

Source: Nielsen Media Research, LS data through 4/06/11.

Bravo is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBCUniversal cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980. For more information, visit www.BravoTV.com. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BravoPR.