'Top Chef Masters' Returns July 24th with Bryan Voltaggio and New Online Series!

Well, apparently Bryan Voltaggio can stand the heat because he's not ready to get out of the Top Chef kitchen. Bryan will become the first Top Chef to compete on Top Chef Masters, Bravo -- that's us! -- announced today. The new season, which will premiere July 24th at 10/9c, welcomes 13 chefs -- including Bryan -- competing for the title of Top Chef Master. The 13 Masters competing and the charities for which they're competing are:

FRANKLIN BECKER - Executive Chef: The Little Beet, New York, NY; Competing for Autism Speaks

DAVID BURKE - Executive Chef & Owner, David Burke Townhouse, Burke in the Box, David Burke Fishtail, David Burke Fromagerie, David Burke Prime, David Burke's Primehouse and David Burke's Kitchen, New York, NY; Competing for Table to Table

LYNN CRAWFORD - Chef-Owner: Ruby Watchco and Ruby Eats, Toronto, Canada: Competing for Sunnybrook Foundation

ODETTE FADA -Executive Chef, San Domenico, New York, NY; Competing for Doctors Without Borders

NEAL FRASER - Owner, BLD, Fritzi Dog, The Strand House, Neal Fraser & Co. at Vibiana, Redbird at Vibiana, Los Angeles, CA; Competing for Alex’s Lemonade Stand

JENNIFER JASINSKI - Executive Chef and Owner, Rioja, Bistro Vendôme, Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen, Denver, CO; Competing for Work Options for Women

DOUGLAS KEANE – Former Chef of the 2 Michelin Starred Cyrus, Sonoma County, CA; Competing for Green Dog Rescue

JENN LOUIS - Executive Chef and Co-Owner: Lincoln and Sunshine Tavern, Portland, OR; Competing for City of Hope

RICHARD SANDOVAL - Chef-Owner Richard Sandoval Restaurants, Los Angeles, CA; Competing for C-Cap – Careers Through Culinary Arts Program

BRYAN VOLTAGGIO - Executive Chef | Owner, VOLT, Lunchbox, Family Meal and RANGE, Frederick, MD; Competing for Share Our Strength

HERBERT WILSON - Executive Chef: Sushi Samba, Las Vegas, NV; Competing for American Heart Association

SANG YOON - Executive chef and owner: Father’s Office and Lukshon Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA; Competing for Worldwide Orphans Foundation 

SUE ZEMANICK - Executive Chef: Gautreau’s, New Orleans, NO; Competing for Gulf Restoration Network 

Curtis Stone returns as host. James Oseland, Ruth Reichl, and Francis Lam return to Critics' Table with newly-minted head critic, Gail Simmons, and new judge Lesley Suter. Lesley oversees all dining and food coverage for Los Angeles magazine, the show's host city.

This season, the chefs face off in some of the most difficult and unique challenges seen thus far -- and they’re serving up food for some top entertainers and celebrity guest judges including: Mindy Kaling, Busy Philipps, Kathie Lee Gifford, Lindsay Price, the cast of Days Of our Lives, Ali Larter, the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba, LA Cult Favorites Lucha Va Voom among others.

Get a first look at the new season:

All Bets Are Off in the Kitchen

Don't think you can wait until July 24th?

I know I can't. And, you don't have to!

In a new twist this season, each Master will have his or her sous chef compete in an online competition, “Battle of the Sous Chefs,” hosted by Hugh Acheson. The results of each online episode directly impacts the Masters, awarding them advantages, such as immunity (the winner of each battle earns the Top Chef Master immunity), and sometimes, disadvantages, depending on their sous chef’s performance (the chefs who perform the worst always earn obstacles for their Top Chef Master).  Every episode of “Battle of the Sous Chefs” leads up to the next episode of Top Chef Masters, and explores the uniquely interdependent relationship between a Master chef and his or her sous chef. To see the first episode of “Battle of the Sous Chefs” in its entirety, go to: /battle
.

Or, watch right here:

Battle of the Sous Chefs: Ep 1

To meet all 13 sous chefs, go HERE.

For more of the new season, including behind-the-scenes photos of Battle of the Sous Chefs, click HERE.


Tell us: who are you rooting for already?!