AROUND TOWN: ‘Top Chef’ season to premiere tonight with M Resort as venue

Living in the Las Vegas Valley, we all have the opportunity to visit restaurants featured in television shows that others only dream about.

The sixth season of the Bravo show "Top Chef: Las Vegas" is giving locals chance to taste the creations featured on the reality show. The M Resort served as the official production location for the series, which premieres at 9 p.m. on Aug. 19 on Cox Cable channel 53.

Bravo’s “Top Chef” features 17 aspiring chefs who competed throughout the property for their shot at culinary stardom and the chance to earn the prestigious title of “Top Chef.”

Each episode holds two challenges for the chefs. The first is a quickfire test of their basic abilities, and the second is a more involved elimination challenge designed to test the versatility and inventiveness of the chefs as they take on unique culinary trials such as working with unusual and exotic foods or catering for a range of demanding clients. The challenges not only test their skills in the kitchen, but also uncover if they have the customer service, management and teamwork abilities required of a Top Chef. The competing chefs live and breathe the high-pressure lifestyle that comes with being a master chef, and each week someone is asked to “pack up their knives” and go home.

-- Lauren Romano