Top Chef All-Stars

The Bravo show, Top Chef, has been a ratings success and critical favorite since its debut, even picking up the Emmy this year for best reality show. It's also one of those rare reality programs where actual talent and creativity take priority over catfights, rose ceremonies, and the tedious building of alliances.

For its eighth season Top Chef does the All-Star thing, bringing back 18 contestants from past years, giving fans a chance to see some of their favorites competing for the chance to finally take home the prize.

Host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Coliccio are joined by Gail Simmons and chef Anthony Bourdain, and once again their critiques are as sharp as a Wusthof knife.

In the first episode, during the Elimination Challenge, the chefs must recreate the dish that sent them packing the first time around. Their frustration at having to relive their nationally-televised nightmares is palpable. Also, in another unexpected twist, during a challenge their fellow chefs are allowed to taste and offer feedback on the dishes each person prepares.

Other challenges in the season will include making Dim Sum for hundreds of people in Chinatown, cooking breakfast based on the elements in a dinosaur's diet at the Natural History Museum, creating stuffing without using any utensils other than their hands, and making another dish that's strictly judged on presentation and style alone -- not taste.

During the eighth season, the show is once again based in New York and guest stars include Jimmy Fallon, Paula Deen, pop star Joe Jonas, Cookie Monster, Lorraine Bracco, Isaac Mizrahi and celebrity divorcee Katie Lee Joel.

This reviewer has never been much of a reality TV or cooking show aficionado, but Top Chef is a fast-paced, fun and fascinating hour of television that'll keep you riveted like the best sporting events.

Contestants include Angelo Sosa and Tiffany Derry from Season 7 (DC), Antonio Lofaso, Richard Blais, Spike Mendelsohn and Dale Talde from Season 4 (Chicago), and Casey Thompson and Dale Levitski from Season 3 (Miami).

And during this season, when all of the other cheftestants are asked to "pack up their knives" and go home, one lucky past loser will have achieved his or her redemption.

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Top Chef All-Stars
Bravo
Debuts Wednesday, December 1 at 10 PM EST