Top Chef Franchise Goes Back for Thirds

As Top Chef: Las Vegas steams toward its finale and another edition of Top Chef Masters has already been announced, Bravo is piling more on its plate (oh, I've got a million of these, folks) with another spinoff series, Top Chef: Just Desserts, which will feature the competing talents of pastry chefs.

The idea may not be as goofy as it sounds, given that skill on the sweeter side of the spectrum has always been a weakness of Top Chef contestants. (One of Poniewozik's Rules of Top Chef says that if you are not a pastry chef and make a bad dessert, you will get no extra credit just for trying.) I have to wonder whether producers can find enough challenges to make a sweets-only competition engaging, but then again, I once wondered if Top Chef could be as entertaining as the visually oriented Project Runway, yet I now like the kitchen spinoff better.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'm sure I'll eat this up. (See, I told you.) Excerpts from the release after the jump:

NEW YORK – October 26, 2009 – Today, Bravo announced the series pickup of its newest culinary competition series entitled "Top Chef: Just Desserts," a spin-off of the Emmy and James Beard Award-winning "Top Chef." The series will consist of pastry chefs competing against one another in a series of challenges. Open calls for chefs interested in competing in the high-stakes culinary competition series will be held in cities across the country starting on October 26. The announcement was made by Frances Berwick, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Bravo Media.

For additional casting information and to download an application, visit www.BravoTV.com/casting. [Snip]

The Emmy-nominated Magical Elves will produce "Top Chef: Just Desserts." Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz ("Top Chef," "Top Chef Masters," "Project Runway," "Top Design") and Casey Kriley serve as executive producers.