"When former Chicago chef Sara Bradley heard "Top Chef" would be filming its new season in her native Kentucky, she wanted a piece of the action. Bradley, a tireless champion of Kentucky cuisine, got what she wanted."

The 36-year-old chef is the sole contestant from the Bluegrass State, one of 15 competitors duking it out on Season 16 of television’s Emmy Award-winning cooking competition, debuting Dec. 6 on Bravo.

'I wanted to represent the energy and the culture that’s happening in the food scene in Kentucky right now,' said Bradley, who opened Freight House, her acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant, in Paducah, Ky., three years ago."

By Lori Rackl, Chicago Tribune

Be inspired by chef Sara's picks for places to eat and drink upon a visit to Paducah as shared with Chicago Tribune here!