Telemundo's TOP CHEF ESTRELLAS to Premiere 2/16

Leveraging the success of Bravo's "Top Chef," Telemundo announces the premiere of "Top Chef Estrellas" on Sunday, February 16th at 8pm/7c. Produced by Emmy award-winning production house Magical Elves and shot in New Orleans on the same kitchen and with the same crew as the Bravo version, "Top Chef Estrellas" blends the best of Bravo's franchise with a few twists, featuring eight major Hispanic celebrities as they compete to raise money for charity. "Top Chef Estrellas" was presented this weekend at the 2014 TCA Press Tour held at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena, CA, marking the first time the format crosses over to Spanish-language broadcast television.

Hosted by novela star Aylin Mujica ("Corazón Valiente," "Aurora" and "Marina"), the show features Lorena Garcia, one of the country's leading Latina chefs, as well as competitor on season four of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters," alongside James Beard award-nominated TV hosts and owners of award-winning Los Angeles restaurant "La Casita Mexicana," Jaime Martin Del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu as the judges. "Top Chef Estrellas", audiences will have a chance to get to know their celebrities in a more intimate personal way as they embark on this culinary journey to win the Top Chef crown and compete for cash prizes totalling $100,000 to be donated to their chosen charities. As part of the adaptation for the Hispanic audience, once eliminated from the competition, the celebrity contestants do not go home, but rather become sous chefs to the remaining contestants.

"Magical Elves is extremely excited to partner with Telemundo and produce a show for the first time in the Latin market" commented Casey Kriley, Senior Vice President of Current Development, Non Scripted for Magical Elves. "Top Chef Estrellas upholds the brand quality of the series and has its own flavor to resonate with the US Hispanic audience."

"This is the moment to bring the best shows to our audience," stated Daniel Cubillo, VP Content Development, Non-Scripted at Telemundo. "The best franchises, like Top Chef, with the twists needed to engage our audience."

Following are the eight competing celebrities:

Dra. Nancy Álvarez - writer, singer and television personality from Dominican Republic who, as a psychologist, sexologists and family therapist, is best known for hosting The Talk show Quien tiene la Razon? She also has had a career as a singer and entertainer which started when she was 15 years old.
Fernando Arau - renowned and veteran TV host who started his entertainment career at a very young age. In his early twenties, he hosted a kids' TV show and in the early 90s starred in "Alcanzar una Estrella II" alongside Ricky Martin. Most recently, he was one of the hosts of Univision's morning show "Despierta America."
Christian Chávez - singer and actor best known for his role as Giovanni Mendez Lopez in the hit novela "Rebelde" and its spin off pop group RBD.
David Chocarro - Argentine actor, model and TV host who has become one of the most popular heartthrobs in U.S. Hispanic television due to his roles in Telemundo novelas such as "La Casa de al Lado," "Alguien Te Mira," "Aurora" and currently starring in the upcoming production "En Otra Piel" beginning in February on Telemundo.
Christian de la Campa - young Mexican actor who had a successful debut in Telemundo's novela "Relaciones Peligrosas" and then featured in the international hit "La Patrona" and currently on the air with "Santa Diabla." Previously, de la Campa participated in several Mexican television productions such as "Una Familia con Suerte" (2011) and "Amorcito Corazón" (2010).
Erika De La Rosa - Mexican actress featured in Telemundo's hit novela "La Patrona" and former host of the international cable channel A&E Music. De La Rosa also participated in the feature film "Largo Que le dijiste a Dios?" by Teresa Suarez.

Lorena Herrera - Mexican actress and singer who has participated in more than 50 films since she began her career as a novela actress. As a singer, she has produced six albums, including the recently released "Desnudame El Alma."
Cynthia Olavarría - actress, television host, fashion model, and former Miss Puerto Rico who competed in the 2005 Miss Universe in Thailand, where she was first runner-up. With her unique talent, charisma and beauty, she has had prominent roles in highly-rated U.S. Hispanic television shows, including top telenovelas and Primetime specials.

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