'Hey 'Top Chef,' You Gotta Try Boston'

Can you feel it?

A growing movement, some might even say an epidemic, is spreading throughout the city, well, you could say “like butter on your breakfast toast.”

#yougottatryboston

Hundreds of local foodies, chefs, students and regular ol’ Bostonians have taken to social media and are flooding Bravo’s “Top Chef” Twitter handle, @BravoTopChef, with 140-character pleas as to why the competitive cooking show should film its 10th season in Beantown (in addition to the city’s delicious baked beans). The Tweets are all followed by the key #yougottatryboston hashtag, which has become the calling card of the movement.

The Hub’s food zealots have also created a Facebook page with more than 1,300 fans and a near constant stream of posts.

Even Mayor Thomas M. Menino has caught the fever: “@BravoTopChef #yougottatryboston for our wonderful chefs but also for  historic landmarks, great music, wonderful philanthropy & more,” was one of his recent Tweets on the matter.

City Initiative

The city, with the help of the marketing agency Digitas, was actually the one to spark the movement, as a way to promote Boston’s restaurants, attractions and the city itself.

So far, “Top Chef” executives have stayed mum on season 10’s location (the show’s season 9 spot, Texas, wasn’t revealed until September, two months before its fall premiere).

Boston vs. Portland, Ore.

However, sources recently told Boston Business Journal that the show has narrowed its search down to Boston and Portland, Ore., for next season, causing the Boston Globe to list 20 reasons the Hub beats out the Rose City, or “Stumptown.”

Will the movement lead to “Top Chef” trying Boston? It’s hard to say, but, either way, the campaign has become a source of pride among many Bostonians.

Why do you think “Top Chef” has gotta try Boston? Tell us in the comments.

Here is a sample of recent #yougottatryboston Tweets:

• Royal Sonesta Boston, @SonestaBoston: “@BravoTopChef #YouGottaTryBoston and we're not coming off this roof until you do. pic.twitter.com/9iYzCArz”

• Shana O., @shanao621: “@BravoTopChef Dear 'Top Chef': Boston rules.boston.com/lifestyle/food… plus we have South End Buttery! C'mon #YouGottaTryBoston”

• Jon Lopkin, @jonlopkin: “Hey @BravoTopChef #yougottatryboston - a quick-fire for the best fenway frank : )”

• Han Su, @archer823: “Dear @BravoTopChef, #yougottatryBoston and it's food scene, most underrated food scene in the US. the high end talent here is amazing!!!”

• ArtBar, @ArtBarCambridge: @BravoTopChef There's always something cooking in Boston and that's why #YouGottaTryBoston twitpic.com/8ncork”