Celebrity Chef Looks to Highlight Fine Mess

“Top Chef” star Padma Lakshmi is joining forces with the Pentagon to develop a spinoff of the hit show to highlight culinary talent in the military, reports the Wall Street Journal. Despite popular stereotypes of "mess hall food" and MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat), the military had been emphasizing culinary training for its chefs and cooks at a special Joint Culinary Center of excellence in Virginia, and with a "Grill Sergeants" cooking show featuring military chefs from all branches of the service on its own Pentagon Channel.

Lakshmi will reportedly team with Nigel Lythgoe, producer of shows like "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" to develop the program, which may broadcast from different sites around the world, such as aboard an aircraft carrier or out in the field (though not in a war zone).