Baltimore chef Jill Snyder to compete on 'Top Chef'

Baltimore's Jill Snyder, executive chef at the Red Maple tapas lounge in Mount Vernon, will be one of the 17 chefs fighting for top honors on the new season of Bravo's Top Chef series.

Snyder, 28, has studied under local legend Spike Gjerde. Among her favorite ingredients are semi-sweet chocolate, sushi rice, micro-herbs and champagne, according to a statement from Bravo.

Top Chef, which begins its fifth season Nov. 12, pits chefs from around the country against one another in contests that test their culinary skills, their inventiveness and their determination. The competition will take place in New York; the top prize includes $100,000 for the winner to put toward opening a restaurant.

Chris Kaltenbach