Top Chef Coming to Westfield Saturday

Fans of Bravo reality show Top Chef will be able to enjoy meals created by the contestants Saturday in town.

The show's nationwide 21 city promotional tour will be setting up in the Lord & Taylor parking lot all day Saturday to provide a taste of the show. Featuring Arianne Duarte from season five and Ashley Merriman from season six, the show's customized 18-wheel semi will park and demonstrations will occur three times during the day.

"We cook for you," Duarte said of Saturday's event. "Now that you've seen us on the show, you can see us cook in person."

Duarte, a native of Verona, said she and Merriman will be cooking meals featuring local ingredients, noting she will be bringing some from her own restaurant in New York. This will include local produce for the meals.

Duarte declined to say what she and Merriman will be cooking during the demonstrations, but noted that her protein is from Alaska and is only available in the New York metropolitan area for a short period of time.

"It is a nice surprise for you, what we are cooking up," Duarte said.

The demonstrations will include the opportunity for audience members to participate in Quick Fire competitions of their own for prizes. The competition is one of the show's signature competitions, where contestants compete in short cooking competitions featuring specific ingredients. Attendees will also be able to chat with Duarte and Merriman during the day.

The demonstrations will occur at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available on Bravo's website and onsite on Saturday. The event is being co-sponsored locally by Comcast.

"It is so much fun," Duarte said of the day. "We are looking forward to coming to Westfield, especially me, being from Jersey."