'Top Chef' contestants: Where are they now?

Out of the reality show frying pan, and into the real world

By Michael O'Connell, Special to Metromix

Unlike some reality competitions (we’re looking at you, “America’s Next Top Model”), Bravo’s “Top Chef” has the uncanny ability to churn out genuine success stories. Competitors from the past seasons have restaurants, careers in television and lives in the unrelenting spotlight of media infatuation.

But it’s not all kobe beef and minted berry gelée. There’s sex, booze and violence among the ranks, too! And now that the show’s eighth season is heating up New York, we’re taking census of who’s still on top and who's one faux-hawk away from a total culinary meltdown.

Season eight of "Top Chef: All-Stars" premieres Wednesday, December 1, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.