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Tom Colicchio Shares Huge Career News “15 Years in the Making” (PHOTO)
The Top Chef head judge's new book, Why I Cook, is due out this fall and he could not be any happier to share it with the world.
Tom Colicchio has cooked up something brand new — and it's not another genius dish. The head judge of Top Chef is known for his talents in the kitchen as well as his keen knack for judging tasty cuisine on Bravo's Emmy-nominated culinary competition show. But now viewers will be able to get to know another side of Tom thanks to the release of his new cookbook and memoir, Why I Cook, out this fall.
Tom took to his Instagram account on his birthday (August 15), where he posted a photo of himself showing off the book. "It's a great feeling to hold the book that has been over 15 years in the making," Tom wrote in the caption of the post. "I can't wait for you to read my story and cook all the new recipes I created."
What is the release date for Tom Colicchio's book Why I Cook?
Mark your calendars: The 320-page book will be available on October 8. Top Chef fans can pre-order the book or a signed copy by Tom himself right now.
Tom's friends, fellow Top Chef judges, and Top Chef alums (like Bryan Voltaggio and Buddha Lo) took to the comments to cheer Tom on for this major accomplishment.
"Whoop! Happy bday and what a gift," Top Chef judge Gail Simmons commented. "Can't wait for this baby to be out in the world. Congrats!"
Top Chef host Kristen Kish took to her Instagram Story where she reposted the photo. "Happy birthday Tom Colicchio," she wrote over the photo. "We should all pre-order his book as a gift to him!"
What is Tom Colicchio's new book about?
This cookbook and memoir hybrid will recall Tom's journey from jumping in the kitchen for the first time to being on Top Chef, while sharing 60 of his favorite recipes. These recipes will include ones from his childhood, his signature roast chicken dish, and his favorite way to make eggplant parmesan.
According to the publisher, Why I Cook "recounts the extraordinary journey that brought him from his working-class Italian background in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to the award-winning kitchens of New York City's best kitchens, to the set of Top Chef and the stage of the Emmy Awards."
Throughout the book, Tom will share the dishes and memories from his life. "Though these meaningful dishes, gorgeous recipes, and images from Tom's childhood, Why I Cook is the most personal look into Tom's life yet."
Earlier this year, Tom opened up about the book on Instagram, sharing, "During the pandemic I had plenty of time to think about the future. My future as a chef, the future of restaurants, both my own and the industry as a whole, and the legacy I want to pass down for future generations. This led to a lot of soul searching about what my career has meant to me. I figured it was finally time to tell that story. This is the story of my life, from the swim club in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where I flipped burgers as a teenager, to my first restaurant jobs in New York City, and to the judges’ table of Top Chef. The recipes included throughout the book are ones I love to make at home for my family and friends. These dishes make up the memories of my life and I hope they create memories for you too."
