People have been buzzing about the possibility, and then the reality, of Top Chef Texas, for months. Now, finally, Bravo has released serious details about the ninth season of the chef competition. The show will premiere November 2nd, at 10 pm, just in time for National Deviled Egg Day. And Zagat Buzz is reporting that Top Chef Texas guest stars will include Charlize Theron, Pee-wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love and Patti LaBelle, a distinctly motley crew.
But most importantly, Bravo has released all the names and restaurant affiliations of the season's contestants. It's heavy on chefs from New York, LA, Chicago and Seattle. There are even two cooks from one pioneering Windy City eatery, MOTO. (Funny coincidence or an ingenious casting director strategy to drum up drama?) Despite the Texan setting, there are only two chefs from the Lone Star State, and just a handful of contestants from other states in the South.
The Top Chef Texas website has casting videos for all the contestants, but if you don't want to go that in-depth, here's a list of their names, with their restaurant affiliations and home towns.
Nyesha Arrington – LA, Wilshire Restaurant
Lindsay Autry – West Palm Beach, Fla., Michelle Bernstein's at Omphoy Ocean Resort
Jonathan Baltazar – Long Beach, Calif., Heights Cuisine
Ty-Lör Boring – New York, Spasso
Molly Brandt – Hollywood, Fla., Allure of the Seas for Royal Caribbean
Chaz Brown – New York, Fatty Crab
Kimberly Calichio – New York, Fishtail
Beverly Kim – Chicago, Aria Restaurant
Chris Crary – LA, Whist Restaurant in the Viceroy Hotel
Andrew Curren – Austin, Texas, 24 Diner
Berenice deAraujo – Miami, Fla., Sra. Martinez
Janine Falvo – Atlanta, Ga., Briza Restaurant
Richie Farina – Chicago, MOTO
Sarah Grueneberg – Chicago, Spiaggia
Chris Jones – Chicago, MOTO
Edward Lee – Louisville, Ky., 610 Magnolia
Whitney Otawka – Cumberland Island, Ga., Greyfield Inn
Simon Pantet – Seattle, 22
Colin Patterson – Seattle, Sutra
Laurent Quenioux – LA, Vertical Wine Bistro
Paul Qui – Austin, Texas, Uchiko Restaurant
Keith Rhodes – Wilmington, N.C., Catch Restaurants
Grayson Schmitz – New York, Villa Pacri
Tyler Stone – Sacramento, Calif., Personal Chef
Heather Terhune – Chicago, Sable Kitchen and Bar
Chuy Valencia – Chicago, Chilam Bilam
Nina Vicente – Seattle, Spur Gastropub
Ashley Villaluz – Seattle, Sous Chef
Dakota Weiss – LA, 9:30 Restaurant and The Backyard
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