Top Chef

Everything's bigger in Texas! This season brings 29 chefs to the Lone Star state where only 16 will advance to the competition and earn a Top Chef coat. In this premiere episode, the chefs will be split into 3 groups and must excel in their challenge in order to move on to the competition. Some will advance, some will be on the bubble and get a second chance to cook, and some will go home. Returning this season are host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons from Food & Wine Magazine. Joining them this season are judges Hugh Acheson and Emeril Lagasse.

Twelve chefs have excelled and moved on to the competition. Now the remaining chefs must rise to the challenge to earn a slot in the final 16. The final 10 chefs must decide amongst themselves which one of among 10 ingredients they will use to create a dish. Those who advance will earn a Top Chef coat, those who don't will go home, and those who are on the bubble will compete in a final cook-off. Host Padma Lakshmi, along with Hugh Acheson, Emeril Lagasse and head judge Tom Colicchio will determine which chefs will advance to the competition.

There are tons of rattlesnakes all over the state of Texas, so why not make a dish out of one? In this week's Quickfire, the chefs are challenged to create a savory dish from rattlesnakes. In the elimination challenge, the chefs must create a feast and cater to a Quinceanera party, a coming of age celebration in the Mexican culture. San Antonio is rich in Mexican culture and lifestyle, from food to music and art. Our chefs are providing a 100% authentic Mexican feast using all original Mexican ingredients. Guest judge Johnny Hernandez joins Hugh Acheson, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi.

You think a jalapeno pepper is hot? Think again. The chefs turn up the heat in this week's Quickfire to create a spicy, savory dish using some of the hottest peppers around. The chefs get a choice of one pepper to incorporate in their dish. The hotter the pepper the chef uses, the higher the value of prize money at stake if they win. The chefs head to the rodeo in the elimination challenge, where they'll get to see some of Texas' finest cowboys in action. The Chefs will be taking over the food court at the rodeo and taking part in their own competition -- a chili cook off! Guest judges Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger from Top Chef Masters and Two Hot Tamales join Gail Simmons, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi.

The Chefs have already hit the road on the way to the next city when Padma stops them at a roadblock -- surprise, it's the next Quickfire challenge! In this week's Quickfire, the chefs create a delicious dish using only ingredients found inside a standard survival kit. In the elimination challenge, the chefs cook for Dallas high society. In this progressive dinner party, they'll be in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in town, cooking and serving in three different houses. They will be split into groups and assigned to serve the appetizer in one house, entree in the next, and then dessert in the final house. Guest judge John Besh joins Gail Simmons, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi.

In this week's Quickfire, the chefs create a dish stemming from one of four mother sauces. They will explore the endless possibilities of this classic technique and go back to the basics of haute cuisine. They'll each select one of the four mother sauces - Bechamel, Espagnole, Veloute and Allemande - to work with. The stakes are high in the elimination challenge as the chefs create their best steak dish for the annual Cattle Baron's Ball. The chefs will be putting out a progressive four-course beef menu for 200-seated guests. They'll have to work together to plate every last dish before 50 waiters enter to pick-up the plates. It's high society - suits with cowboy boots, big hair and even bigger stakes because if there is one state who knows a thing or two about how a steak should be cooked, it's Texas! Guest judge Dean Fearing joins Hugh Acheson, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi.

In this week's Quickfire, the chefs create a dish that complements well with tequila. Tequila pairs well with anything spicy, grilled, served with salsa accompaniments, or flavored with citrus. In a double elimination, the game is on as the chef'testants pair up and cook for a group of famous chefs sharing a common thread -- their love of hunting. Our Chefs will be asked to form teams of two then each team will be assigned a famous chef and his/her favorite game. In a twist, it will be up to the chefs to decide which 3 teams are on the bottom and therefore helping to determine which one team will go home. Guest judge Tim Love joins Hugh Acheson, head judge Tom Colicchio and host Padma Lakshmi.

This week's Quickfire will reach out to its fans via twitter, as they follow instructions tweeted live by fans and create a dish based on what they want the chefs to do. Whenever Tom sees an idea he likes, he will call it out in the room. No matter which direction the chefs thought they were taking their dish, they will have to switch it up based on the latest tweet. For the elimination challenge, the chefs have a chance to reflect and pay homage to the person who taught them how to cook by making a "tribute dish" in their honor. Legendary singer and cookbook author Patti Labelle guest judges, along with Emeril Lagasse, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi.

The chefs return to their suite after Judges' Table to find a note along with the entire box set of "The Modernist Cuisine" by Nathan Myhrvold. He will be the guest judge and the 6-volume set of books is their homework. For the Quickfire, the chefs must create something that's impressive and creative, but also tastes amazing. For the elimination challenge, the chefs split into teams and face off in an ultimate BBQ showdown. After all, what's more Texan than a good ol' fashioned BBQ? The fans will decide which team has the best BBQ. Guest judge Nathan Myhrvold joins Gail Simmons, head judge Tom Colicchio and host Padma Lakshmi.

Restaurant Wars is back! Everything's bigger in Texas and in this Top Chef favorite, the chefs split into teams and must create a restaurant from the ground up -- from design to signage, logos to menus, and everything in between. Judges Hugh Acheson and Emeril Lagasse join head judge Tom Colicchio and host Padma Lakshmi.

This week's Quickfire is all about awareness in the kitchen. The chefs will have 30 minutes to create a dish of their choosing, but this is no ordinary Quickfire. Once time begins, various ingredients will start to come into the kitchen via a train. The chefs must select ingredients coming into the kitchen via train and create a dish incorporating the best of these ingredients. For the elimination challenge, the chefs embody evil on the plate and serve a gothic feast fit for a Queen. This dish should demonstrate various cooking techniques, textures and flavors, but more importantly, the diners should visually see the "evil" components on the dish. Actress Charlize Theron, who plays the Evil Queen in the upcoming film "Snow White & The Huntsman", guest judges, along with Emeril Lagasse, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi.

In this week's Quickfire, the chefs work in teams of two and with 30 minutes, they must race against the clock and get through all their prep. With the remaining time, the chefs must then create a delicious dish with the already prepped ingredients. For the elimination challenge, the chefs head to a food drive/block party, where they will choose an opponent, create one dish that they will both make, and go head-to-head where the judges will determine which dish is best. One chef from each pair will be on top, and one will be on the bottom, and one chef from the bottom will go home. Cat Cora guest judges, along with Emeril Lagasse, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi.

In this week's Quickfire, Pee-wee Herman stops by and the chefs are tasked to create his favorite breakfast dish -- pancakes! But this isn't any old pancake. The Chefs are challenged to be as creative as possible when making their batter, toppings and presentation. In "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," Pee-wee learned a lot about searching the streets and asking for help. For the elimination challenge, the chefs are set loose in downtown San Antonio with a bike and $100, where they must find their ingredients and create a dish for Pee-wee's dinner party. Pee-wee Herman joins Gail Simmons, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi at judges' table.

In this week's Quickfire, the chefs must use their sense of touch, smell and taste to navigate through the pantry to gather ingredients for a dish while blindfolded. In a twist, the winning chef from the Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen companion series will re-enter the competition and join the remaining four chefs in the elimination challenge, where the chefs must create a delicious dish that will impress their mentors. Host Padma Lakshmi, along with Hugh Acheson, Gail Simmons and head judge Tom Colicchio will determine which final four chefs will advance to the finale.

The final 4 chefs arrive in Whistler, British Columbia, for a Top Chef twist on the Olympic games. From cooking on the world's fastest gondola to a biathlon that requires marksman-like precision to get the best ingredients, the chefs will need to have the concentration of a true culinary Olympian to advance to the next round in Vancouver.

Asian Masters lend a hand in a tag-team-style quickfire. The final 3 chefs must create a dish and cocktail that fuses the concept of fire and ice into one cohesive dish, a culinary testament of their journey from blazing Texas heat to blistering Vancouver cold.

For the final challenge, each chef will take over a restaurant in Vancouver where they will have the chance to design a four-course meal for the judges and unbeknownst to them, friends and family.

The drama is served extra hot on Bravo's "Top Chef: Texas Reunion Special." Andy Cohen talks to season nine's chef'testants and judges - host Padma Lakshmi, head judge Tom Colicchio and judges Gail Simmons, Emeril Lagasse and Hugh Acheson. Cohen will answer viewers' questions and dish on the good, bad and overcooked.