Get Inspired for Culinary School with Top Chef Masters

If you're a current or would-be culinary school student, the apex of your career dreams might be hearing your name and "top chef" in the same sentence. But if you're really ambitious, you might be aiming a little higher and hoping to appear on Bravo TV's newest cooking show, Top Chef Masters.

The televised elimination battle started in June and pits 24 world-renowned culinary experts against one another in challenges that test each chef's basic abilities, creativity and versatility. This is no lurid, trash-talking reality slugfest, though—instead, the already award-winning competitors must impress everyday tasters as well as experienced industry judges with their skills and ingenuity. Yes, there's cash at stake, but prizes won each week—as well as the grand prize of $100,000—will be awarded to the charity of the winner's choice.

Each week's episode starts with a QuickFire Challenge, which tests the chefs' basic abilities in unique ways—the latest challenge asked contestants to use junk food as the inspiration for a dish worthy of a fine restaurant. Then the chefs move on to the final bout, a more involved culinary trial that may include working with an unusual ingredient or cooking for a challenging audience. In the pilot episode, contestants prepared a three-course meal in a college dorm room using only a microwave, hot plate and toaster oven.

You might not learn those exact skills in culinary school, but you'll definitely get a head start at being a proficient cook—and maybe someday even a Top Chef Master.