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Top Chef head honcho Tom Colicchio is a modern day hero.

The reality-show judge, known for pushing contestants to be their best, saved fellow foodie Joan Nathan from choking to death during the "Art. Food. Hope." benefit in Washington, D.C. on Monday, according to the Internet Food Association.

While being cornered by some bitter Top Chef fans who were less than thrilled about last week's elimination, Colicchio heard a cry for help from another famed chef, Alice Waters. 

He immediately ran over to perform the Heimlich maneuver on Nathan who had a chunk of chicken lodged in her wind pipe.

"I did what anyone else would have done and was just happy to be there," Colicchio told TVGuide.com. "I'm thrilled Joan's well."

http://www.hollywood.com/news/Top_Chef_Judge_Saves_Life/5382893