Season 9
It's a whole new ballgame for the competing chefs on Top Chef: Texas. For the first time ever, Season 9 will boast a record 29 chefs - almost double the amount of chefs in seasons past - who will see if they have what it takes to become an official cheftestant and qualify to wear the Top Chef coat.
Only 16 will go on to compete across the Lone Star State - in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
In what will prove to be the most challenging season yet, some of the biggest names in food, music and entertainment including Charlize Theron, Pee-wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love and Patti LaBelle will be featured this season on Top Chef: Texas.
Returning to the Judges' Table is host Padma Lakshmi and head judge, chef Tom Colicchio, alongside judges Gail Simmons and new this season, famed chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse and critically-acclaimed chef Hugh Acheson.
The winning chef will receive $125,000, a feature in Food and Wine magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, and earn the title of "Top Chef."
Season 9 Chefs
(See below for links to bios. Chefs eliminated in Qualifying Rounds not included.)
Beverly Kim, 31, from Chicago, Illinois
Chris Crary, 29, from Los Angeles, California
Chris Jones, 30, from Chicago, Illinois
Chuy Valencia, 25, from Chicago, Illinois
Dakota Weiss, 35, from Los Angeles, California
Edward Lee, 38, from Louisville, Kentucky
Grayson Schmitz, 27, from New York, New York
Heather Terhune, 39, from Chicago, Illinois
Keith Rhodes, 39, from Wilmington, North Carolina
Lindsay Autry, 29, from West Palm Beach, Florida
Nyesha Arrington, 28, from Los Angeles, California
Paul Qui, 30, from Austin, Texas
Richie Farina, 28, from Chicago, Illinois
Sarah Grueneberg, 29, from Chicago, Illinois
Ty-Lör Boring, 34, from Brooklyn, New York
Whitney Otawka, 30, from Cumberland Island, Georgia