top chef is one of my favorite reality shows on tv right now, have you heard of it ?
My mom watches it, but I've never seen it! Is it a food competition show?
the show features chefs competing against each other in various culinary challenges 
Oh neat! I love to cook, I should check out this show. Do you happen to know what channel I could find it on?
i think its on the cooking channel.. they are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one or more contestants elimiated in each episode
How many contestants start at the beginning of the season?
that i dont know however the show is produced by magical elves productions, the same company that created project runway