Round out TC Food & Wine week with an exclusive panel of chefs from several top cooking competition shows – Top Chef, Iron Chef, Chopped, and more – for a candid glimpse into the world of competitive cooking from the people who’ve lived it. From the adrenaline of reality TV kitchens to the impact these shows have had on their careers and personal lives, these culinary stars will share behind-the-scenes stories, career-defining moments, and what comes after the cameras stop rolling.

The National Writers Series and Traverse City Food & Wine are excited to convene talented alumni of several food TV competitions with a long-time food television creator and producer for a one-of-a-kind conversation. Chefs Mei Lin and Sarah Welch take the stage with television producer Jim Berger, to dish about what it’s like to be on a reality competition show and how it compares to real life in the kitchen. These chefs will talk about how they rose through the ranks and share their stories about finding a balance between a love of making great food and being successful in a televised culinary competition. Food writer and TASTE podcast host Matt Rodbard will moderate the panel.

This fun conversation will inevitably shed new light on the chefs’ and producer’s experiences creating and competing on the shows, and what it’s like to turn a creative culinary passion into engaging television. Please join us for an unforgettable night that promises to unveil new stories, new friendships, and the indelicate balance between making great television and making great food.

Join us for this all-you-can-eat glimpse behind the scenes of reality television with these renowned culinary stars! Tickets are available through TC Food & Wine, available on the National Writers Series website.

This is not a book bundled event. Ticket purchases must be made through Traverse City Food & Wine, available through the National Writers Series website.