Top Chef: New Orleans Contestants Announced; Premieres October 2

Laissez les bons temps sauté, or whatever: Top Chef's eleventh season will premiere on October 2, reports the Times-Picayune. For some reason, Bravo has only announced six contestants who will compete this season: Stephanie Cmar (No.9 Park, Boston), Jason Cichonski (Ela Restaurant, Philadelphia), Nick Elmi (Philadelphia), Patricia Vega (David Burke Fishtail, New York City), Janine Booth (New York City), and Bene Bartolotta (Bene Catering & Events, New York City). Eater Philly accurately predicted both Cichonski and Elmi; meanwhile Cmar is making her second Top Chef appearance after getting cut from the first episode of Top Chef Seattle. Sit tight for future announcements of the rest of the contestants.

Local chef guest judges will include John Besh, Leah Chase, and Paul Prudhomme, and there will also be appearances by Jon Favreau, Lea Michele, Anthony Mackie, Questlove, Jacques Pepin, David Chang and Eddie Huang. And obviously the old gang of Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Hugh Acheson, and Emeril Lagasse will be on hand to make more New Orleans puns than you can probably handle. Below, a preview of the new season. Recognize any future cheftestapants?

Video: New 'Top Chef: New Orleans' promo video

· New 'Top Chef: New Orleans' promo video [Times-Pic]
· 'Top Chef: New Orleans' to premiere Oct. 2 [Times-Pic]
· All Top Chef New Orleans Coverage on Eater [-E-]