If you’re a fan of “Top Chef: Seattle,” then you probably are familiar with the beautiful modern condo where the talented “cheftestants” are staying in Season 10 of this popular reality TV show.
The chefs’ home-away-from-home is the penthouse suite of Olive 8, a condo tower in downtown Seattle. Its size (it could house up to 18 people), location (downtown Seattle), and tight security made the Olive 8 penthouse the perfect choice for Top Chef.
“Olive 8 provided an ideal center-city location, resort-like amenities and wraparound views of the downtown skyline,” said Dean Jones, principal of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty, the listing brokerage for the Olive 8. “We were thrilled to offer the 38th floor for staff and cheftestants to stay while in residence in Seattle.”
Situated north of Seattle’s Pacific Place shopping center, Olive 8 is the tallest residence tower in the city, housing 229 condo units. The homes range in price from $460,000 (1-bedroom open floor plans) to million-plus (3-bedroom penthouses with views of downtown). Standard amentities include hardwood floors, 10-foot-plus ceilings and balconies in each condo, 24-hour concierge service, spa services, a dog run and gym.
After a long day of cooking and competing on Top Chef, the contestants can relax and lounge around in the luxury high-rise, use the gourmet kitchen, swim in the 65-foot lap indoor pool, and sit on their private deck enjoying the beautiful view of the city. Speaking of a room with a view, the balcony of the Penthouse looks straight out to the famous Space Needle.
Filming in Seattle
Padma Lakshmi, the host of Top Chef, shared in a phone interview that she’s in love with Seattle. The “verdant and beautiful” city is probably her most favorite location in the nine seasons she’s been hosting Top Chef.
Lakshmi also admitted that she “didn’t know to what extent the food scene would be so great.” Between the “rows of beautiful, beautiful cheese” at The Calf and Kid, and Pike Place Marketwhich is “probably the best outdoor market … in this country,” Lakshmi found herself inspired to cook more in the downtown corporate apartment where she’s staying.
Lakshmi’s love for Seattle is evident when she said:
I love Seattle, I love the city – I think it’s beautiful. It’s very verdant – everything is so green and lush. I just want the people of Seattle to know, my crew, and especially me, had a great time in Seattle. I love their city. I look forward to coming back. And I really hope they enjoy the season as much as we enjoyed being there. I hope we’ve done the city justice.
Celebrity judge Tom Colicchio agrees with Lakshmi, “Seattle’s a great food town, it’s a beautiful city and people are crazy about food here.”
The Seattle Convention and Visitor’s Bureau was one of the key players who brought the top-ranked reality show to Seattle. “Top Chef: Seattle is another great opportunity for Seattle to promote our vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle and foster an appropriate association as being a foodie town given our tremendous restaurant scene,” said Jerri Lane, Senior Vice President of the Seattle Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
“I love Seattle, I love the city – I think it’s beautiful. It’s very verdant – everything is so green and lush. I just want the people of Seattle to know, my crew, and especially me, had a great time in Seattle. ”
“We especially appreciate the hospitality extended by RC Hedreen Co. and the opportunity to showcase the residences at Olive 8,” Lane continued. “The stunning hotel and condominium tower will join other Seattle landmarks such as The Space Needle and the Pike Place Market as iconic venues within this much anticipated season of BRAVO’s hit TV series.”
Lakshmi sums up Season 10 of Top Chef (above screenshot features the cheftestants of Season 10) perfectly when she declares Top Chef: Seattle is “a love letter to Seattle and its food scene.” I concur!
If you haven’t seen any episode of this season’s Top Chef yet, they’re all available on iTunes andAmazon Instant Videos.
Washington Filmworks
Washington has one of the film industry’s most competitive incentive programs, funding up to 30% of in-state expenditures within 30 days (including Washington-based labor and talent). For more information on filming in Seattle and/or Washington, visit Washington Filmworks, the official film office for the state of Washington.
And last but not least, congratulations to Seattle for holding down the No. 3 spot on the MovieMaker’s list of Top 10 Cities to be a Moviemaker in 2013!
PHOTO CREDITS: Photos with black borders are screenshots from Top Chef: Seattle. Photos of Olive 8 are from here. Top image via Google.