Hudson House's Brooke Makes 'Top Chef' Cut

Hudson House owner and chef Brooke Williamson will head to Seattle in the second episode of Top Chef: Seattle, the 10th season of Bravo's popular cooking competition.

"My heart stopped because until this moment, I didn't realize how real this was," Williamson told the camera after learning she made the cut. "Like, 'Wow—I really have a chance at winning this whole thing.'"

During the season premiere, four of the judges were each assigned a group of contestants, who had to complete a challenge to determine whether they would head out to Seattle. Williamson was assigned to a group headed by judge Hugh Acheson, a former Top Chef contestant himself.

Acheson had his contestants make "beautiful" salads, so Williamson threw together a kale salad with brussels sprout leaves and watercress. She dressed her salad with a lemon vinaigrette and a little fried kale.

"This is a really freaking good salad," Acheson told her upon tasting it. "I'd be happy to serve that."

With that, Williamson became the first in her group to receive the coveted blue chef's jacket and a ticket to Seattle.

Top Chef: Seattle airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Bravo.