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Here's How the Top Chef Judges Feel About the Season 17 All Stars L.A. Cast
Padma Lakshmi had a cheeky message for the returning cheftestants.
Do you hear that? That's the sound of the world abuzz with excitement after the announcement of the all-star cast for Bravo's Top Chef Season 17, which premieres with a supersized episode on Thursday, March 19 at 10/9c.
Fans of this culinary competition aren't the only ones who are thrilled about the 15 finalists, front runners, and fan favorites returning to Top Chef in the new season. Host Padma Lakshmi shared a fun play on her iconic "pack your knives and go" send-off to the eliminated cheftestant set to the tune of Smash Mouth's also-legendary 1999 single "All Star" on Instagram on December 12.
Of course, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, who will also be returning to the judges' table in the new season, are also thrilled to be back and see all of the returning cheftestants.
So how about the All Stars themselves? Well, let's just say they are more than ready for another shot at the coveted title of Top Chef.
Eric Adjepong (Season 16: Kentucky) had a bit of fun announcing the happy news on Instagram: "So I did a thing...again."
"Oh hai babes, I’m back with 14 other ALL STAR chefs this season!" Karen Akunowicz (Season 13: California) said in a post.
Jennifer Carroll (Season 6: Las Vegas, Season 8: All Stars, and Last Chance Kitchen Season 7) said that she was "honored to be asked to come back for another @bravotopchef All Star Season" in a post on Instagram.
Stephanie Cmar (Season 11: New Orleans) is excited for fans to see her and "14 other awesome chefs cook our hearts out" in the new season of Top Chef.
Lisa Fernandes (Season 4: Chicago) is "back for another incredible season," her restaurant's Instagram announced on December 12.
Kevin Gillespie (Season 6: Las Vegas) revealed to his fans that he's "been busy" competing in Top Chef Season 17 and joked about why he decided to return to the competition.
"Once just wasn't enough" for Gregory Gourdet (Season 12: Boston). "Top Chef All Stars!!!" he wrote in his Instagram Story. "One more go? Why not!"
Jamie Lynch (Season 14: Charleston) is "BACK" and ready to compete for culinary supremacy in Season 17 of Top Chef.
Melissa King (Season 12: Boston) is "ready to slay" the competition, which will be taking place in her hometown of Los Angeles, California this season. "I'm so excited to cook against these badass chefs," she said in her Instagram Story.
Brian Malarkey (Season 3: Miami) teased an emotional journey this season of Top Chef. "It’s Malarkey time!! Again! I'm stepping back into the @bravotopchef All Star Kitchen, and can’t wait to compete against some amazing chefs!" he shared on Instagram. "Are you ready to laugh, cry, and take on this wild ride with me again??"
Nini Nguyen (Season 16: Kentucky) said playfully, "What did I get myself into again!"
"Oops I did it again," Joe Sasto wrote on Instagram.
Angelo Sosa (Season 7: Washington D.C. and Season 8: All Stars New York) is hoping that "third [time's] a charm." "Humbled to be back with these talented chefs," he said on Instagram.
Bryan Voltaggio (Season 6: Las Vegas) is looking fierce back in that Top Chef jacket.
And Lee Anne Wong (Season 1: San Francisco and Last Chance Kitchen Season 7) is kind of obsessed with all of the cheftestants' new photos, as are we.
D'Andra Simmons, who hosted her own little Top Chef-esque cooking competition with her husband, Jeremy Lock, this season of The Real Housewives of Dallas, is definitely tuning in to the new season. "I can’t wait for #TopChef to premiere on @BravoTV," she gushed on Twitter on December 13. "Y’all know I love a good cooking competition."
Andy Cohen also underscored just how amazing this cast is. "This is gonna be AWESOME!!!!!!!" he tweeted on December 13.
Padma first announced that the new season of Top Chef would be an all-star edition via video message at BravoCon last month. "I can't wait for you guys to see it," she shared.
We can't wait, either.
Relive the final moments of Top Chef Season 16, below.
