Rick Bayless

"Top Chef Masters," the spin-off series of the Emmy and James Beard Award-winning No. 1 food show on cable, "Top Chef," flips the judges’ table to find out who can handle the heat. "Top Chef Masters" will pit 24 world-renowned chefs against each other, four in each of episode, to win $100,000 for the charity of their choice. Hubert Keller (Fleur de Lys), Christopher Lee (Aureole), Michael Schlow (Radius Restaurant), and Tim Love (The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro) are the first to draw knives and kick off a whole new level of culinary competition.

The chefs take their skills to the street. Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill), Cindy Pawlcyn (Mustards Grill), Wilo Benet (Pikayo), and Ludo Lefebvre (Ludo Bites) set out to cook the most appealing treat for Los Angeles pedestrians using the unique ingredients provided them.

The top six chefs have advanced to the finals and now must face-off for the ultimate title of Top Chef Master. Each is asked to produce their signature dish, only to find they must then re-create their competitor’s unique dish.

In a decisive testing of the palate, the final four chefs enter their last quickfire challenge blindfolded. The elimination round presents the Chefs with the goal of catering a large event - only they are not allowed to touch the food. Each Master must use his or her leadership, teaching, and directing skills to accomplish their vision at arm's length.

In the climactic finale of "Top Chef Masters," three accomplished chefs stand to face their final challenge - the creation of a four-course meal. Sounds simple enough, but each course must be inspired by a certain memory from their past.