Season 11
Emmy and James Beard Award-winning series Top Chef is back and heads to New Orleans.
This season kicks off with a new pre-premiere digital video series, Padma's Picks, which gives one of New Orleans' most talented chefs the opportunity to cook their way on to the actual show.
Host and Judge Padma Lakshmi visits some of The Big Easy's most celebrated establishments to find 10 of the best and brightest chefs from New Orleans.
These chefs will then battle head-to-head to make it to the finale of Padma's Picks with the ultimate winner earning a coveted spot on this season's cast.
Returning to the judges table in NOLA for Top Chef Season 11 are lead judge Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Hugh Acheson, and New Orlean's own Emeril Lagasse, alongside host Padma Lakshmi.
This season will up the ante against the backdrop of the gastronomically diverse city of New Orleans - and the chefs will be tasked with serving up food for top entertainers, culinary stars and celebrity guest judges including: Jon Favreau, Lea Michelle, Anthony Mackie, Questlove, Leah Chase, Paul Prudhomme, Jacques Pepin, David Chang, John Besh, and Eddie Huang as well as local legends Kermit Ruffins and Dr. John.
Additionally, Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen, the digital video series hosted by Tom Colicchio, returns for its third season. Each week, two eliminated cheftestants face-off to compete for the ultimate prize - redemption and a spot in the Top Chef finale.
Magical Elves return to produce Top Chef. Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serve as executive producers.