Nicholas Elmi

Top Chef is back for season eleven...nineteen chefs will duke it out in New Orleans for the coveted title of "Top Chef." Their first challenge sends them to the Louisiana swamp where they must cook with one of three local delicacies: alligator, frog or turtle. The competition is hot and humid, as the judges work to send the first Chef home.

Gumbo is a dish that gets better over time. For their first Quickfire challenge, the chef'testants work overnight to perfect dishes for legendary Chef, Leah Chase. And for the elimination challenge, the chef'testants are tasked with creating and operating food trucks to feed Habitat for Humanity volunteers helping to rebuild New Orleans after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

An elimination Quickfire challenge keeps the chef'testants on their toes this week as they make dishes with items on Dana Cowin's worst "Food Trends" list. For the Elimination challenge, the chef'testants are asked to replicate legacy dishes from the iconic Commander's Palace menu. Joining the judges are Commander's Palace current Chef and alumni: Emeril Lagasse, Paul Prodhomme, and Tory McPhail.

In this week's Quickfire challenge - can you smell the coffee? For the Elimination challenge, the chefs must make dishes that remind them of home. Actor Anthony Mackie joins the judges and Leah Chase for the heartfelt meal.

The Vietnamese culture has a strong presence in New Orleans. Judge Emeril Lagasse and guest judge Eddie Huang give the chef'testants a crash course in these customs and task them with creating a multi-course Vietnamese meal.