If you are an experienced and talented chef or maybe looking to be discovered as the next fresh face in the cooking world then you may just be the perfect person to compete on the Bravo reality show Top Chef. To try your hand at cooking alongside other chefs for the cash and prizes, read on to find out how to become a contestant on Top Chef.

• Be sure you qualify to compete on the show

• Complete the application honestly and completely

• Show off cooking your best dish in your audition tape

• Attend an open casting to meet face-to-face with the producers

• Be prepared to prove why you should be the Top Chef

• Big Brother
• Survivor
• The Amazing Race
• Real World
• The Apprentice
• Hell's Kitchen
• Shark Tank

Whether you are looking for your big break in the culinary world or want to advance your career as a chef by appearing on Top Chef, you'll need to complete an application and create a video. Prospective applicants can then send their materials in or bring them to an open casting call in the hopes of becoming the next Top Chef.

While having a keen sense for all things culinary is a major requirement of appearing on the show, prospective chefs must also meet a variety of eligibility requirements to be considered.

1. You must be 21 years of age or olderhttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
2. You must be a U.S. citizen and be permitted to travel to and from the country or hold a visa that allows you to reside in the U.S. and participate on the showhttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
3. You must not be a candidate for or hold any public office and agree to not run for public office within one year of when the show airshttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
4. You, members of your immediate family or members of your household may not have been employed by NBC Universal, Bravo Media or companies and individuals affiliated with the show within the past two yearshttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
5. You must be available to film the show for five weeks or longerhttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
6. You must agree to medical and psychological testing and background checks should you be selected as a finalisthttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf

As with any reality show, prospective contestants are required to complete a lengthy application to give producers a glimpse of their lives. The application asks about education, work history, culinary skills and personality.

1. Visit the Bravo official site to download and print the application
2. Complete each question, printing legibly and using a dark-colored ink
3. Answer each question openly and honestly, but tell them why you'd make a great contestant
4. Read and sign the attached release forms

Since this is a cooking show, producers want to see the chefs in action, cooking and plating their best dish. To see this, they ask those interested to submit a short video to show why they stand out.

1. Videos may be a maximum of five minuteshttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
2. Videos are accepted in DVD or mini DV format onlyhttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
3. Should include a brief introduction, telling who you are, where you live and what sets you apart from the other applicantshttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
4. Must include a cooking demonstration of preparing and plating one dish; condensed versions are fine and the more visual the dish the betterhttp://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf
5. Be creative and outgoing
6. Make sure you can be clearly seen and heard on the video
7. Send your completed application, video, recent photo and a recent resume to:
   • Magical Elves
   • Top Chef
   • P.O. Box #13005
   • Los Angeles, CA 90013http://www.bravotv.com/media/TOP%20CHEF%207%20-%20APPLICATION%20-%20FINAL%2010.2.09.pdf

Rather than sending in a tape that may be lost in the shuffle, prospective chefs may bring their completed application and video to an open casting call and audition in person.

1. Check the Bravo official site for information on upcoming open casting callshttp://www.bravotv.com/casting
2. Bring your completed application, video, photo and recent resumehttp://www.bravotv.com/casting
3. Dress comfortably but professionally and plan for a long day
4. Do not bring knives or other toolshttp://www.bravotv.com/casting
5. Put your best face forward and convince producers why you'd make a perfect contestant