Bravo orders more 'Top Chef'

NEW YORK, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Bravo says its U.S. culinary competition series, "Top Chef," will return for a seventh season.

Open calls for chefs interested in competing in the series will be held in cities across the United States, starting Oct. 18 in San Francisco. Additional casting call information and applications can be found at www.BravoTV.com/casting.

The network also has announced plans to air "Chef Academy," the newest addition to its food genre lineup, starting Nov. 16. The show follows renowned French chef Jean Christophe Novelli as he moves to Los Angeles to run a test program for a top-notch culinary institute, then "trains and transforms those who aspire to cook like professionals."

The announcements about the shows were made Monday by Frances Berwick, executive vice president and general manager for Bravo Media.