Top Chef episode filmed at Nellis, to air Sept. 2 Published Sept. 1, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Aileen Carter Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- More than 300 Nellis Airmen enjoyed culinary creations made by Top Chef contestants during a recent Top Chef challenge, filmed at Nellis in May; the segment will air on Bravo, Sept. 2 at 10 p.m. Top Chef is a culinary reality show, where chefs compete in challenges before a board of professionals in the food and wine industry, and one contestant is eliminated each week. "I was excited to be a part of this," said Airman 1st Class Michael Charles, 99th Air Base Wing public affairs specialist and Nellis Top Chef volunteer. "I've only seen the show on TV but never dreamed that I could be a part of this." In only two days, Nellis was not only home of the fighter pilot but was transformed into a film set, featuring a fleet of specialists varying from lighting and design to a decoration crew. Nellis Airmen assisted the Top Chef production with various coordination aspects, ranging from traffic control, reserving certain facilities to be used during the filming and escorting the film crew throughout the base. "When the Top Chef producers contacted us, I jumped at the chance to highlight our Airmen," said Col. Dave Belote, 99th Air Base Wing commander. "We had a blast with the chefs and judges, and we enjoyed some fantastic food." This was the first time Nellis hosted a Top Chef challenge.
