When the idea of 'Chopped' surfaced, it was originally meant to be taped at some guy's mansion with him and his crazy Chihuahua. A stuffy fellow in a tuxedo was to host, and the losing chef's dish was then fed to the dog! I am not kidding, I saw it! I think it is genius! Twisted, but genius!

Allen reprised the role as co-floor reporter for the Thanksgiving special on November 20 2011. in journalism from the Science and Environmental Reporting Program at New York University. Beginning June 13 2007 Allen appeared as a regular judge on seasons 3 and 4 of Bravo's reality television program Top Chef following several guest judge appearances during the previous two seasons.

"Ted" Allen is an American writer cookbook author and television personality. He is a longtime contributing writer to Esquire magazine the author of two cookbooks and regularly appears on the Food Network's show The Best Thing I Ever Ate and other television cooking shows. Edward R.