Meet the Top Chef All Stars, New York, on Bravo TV

Top Chef All-Stars on Bravo TV, reunites 15 Top Chefs who missed out on the big prize during their seasons. They're in New York , a little older and wiser, ready to get some culinary justice...and perhaps a little cash. This 8^th season of Top Chef, the second All-Stars show, presents the biggest bounty in Top Chef history: $200,000 to the winner and another $50,000 in cash and prizes along the way.

We'll be treated to great cooking and some awesome grudge matches. Hulu carries a clip on what's to come this season.

Below is a run down of the contestants with a bit about his or her season along with feelings on the possibility of getting a little vindication in this rematch of Top Chefs. Also included are a host of clips and resources about each season and the current contestants in case you missed that season.

Season One, San Francisco

Winner of Season One: Harold Dieterle.

Tiffani Faison, finalist. Tiffani lost to Harold in the finale. Tiffani was the no-nonsense, bordering or gruff, Bostonian who made many of the other contestants bristle, then avoid her. It was tough to root for her at the end, particularly against Harold, who went on to win. During Season One, Tiffani called Stephen a snake.

Stephen Asprinio, finished in the top five. Stephen came into Top Chef, Season One, a sommelier, with serious "airs" as they used to say. In the reunion show, he apologized sincerely for much of his behavior, saying he didn't realize how bad he acted.

In speaking with producers for Top Chef All-Stars, Stephen said he wasn't nervous and he wouldn't get nervous during the show, regardless of the situation. Why? "I don't get nervous," he said. He's nicer and a bit more humble, but his swagger is still in place.

Season One, General: Only 12 chefs competed during the first season, while 15 competed in subsequent seasons. It also featured Katie Lee Joel as a host. Joel left the show to spend more time with her family, and she was replaced by the current host Padma Lakshmi.
Cast and episode information for Season One at IMDB.
Cast and episode information for Season One at Bravo TV.
Season One Reunion video on IMDB.

Season Two, Los Angeles

Winner of Season Two: Ilan Hall.

Marcel Vigneron, runner up. Marcel lost to Ilan Hall. Marcel was an arrogant little man who drew the ire of almost everyone in the Top Chef house. At one point a castmate told him: "I will beat you so bad your mother won't recognize you." When the $250,000 Season 8 total winnings was announced, Marcel said, "I got second in season 2 and never got anything."

Elia Aboumrad, final four. Elia has done a lot of growing up and growing out since her season, she said. The growing out part refers to a decision she made during a wild night in the house when she was egged on to shave her head. A bald Elia almost made it to the end. Watch Elia's elimination on Bravo TV.

Cast and episode information for Season Two at IMDB.
Cast and episode information for Season Two at Bravo TV.

Season Three, Miami

Winner of Season Three: Hung Huynh.

Dale Levitski, finalist. Dale was barely beaten by the Season Three winner Hung Huynh so he has a lot to prove this go around. When the chefs were asked to put on their coats for the show, Dale became introspective: "It really hits when we put on our coats. It's really real. Crap what have I gotten myself into." Check out this article on Dale.

Casey Thompson, finalist, fan favorite. Casey came back in Season Five along with other former Top Chefs to act as sous chefs for the Season Five chefs. Casey was paired with Carla Hall who had a knack for simple dishes done well. Carla allowed Casey to sway her food choices, according to Top Chef host Gail Simmons which is what may have cost Carla the Top Chef, Season Five, win. Simmons said the dishes did not reflect Hall's vision which is what the judges had hoped for.

Tre Wilcox, final eight. Marcel of Season Two, confided to Top Chef producers that he views Tre as his main threat to the big prize. After the chefs walked into the kitchen, Tre said, "Stepping into the kitchen is like stepping into the ring."

Cast and episode information for Season Three at IMDB.
Cast and episode information for Season Three at Bravo TV.

Season Four, Chicago

Winner Season Four:Stephanie Izard.

Richard Blais, runner up. Blais, a fan of molecular gastronomy, became known for taking simple foods and turning them upside down using all sorts of culinary techniques that look like they belonged in a chemistry lab. Catch Richard Blais doing a guest TV spot teaching the hosts how to cook a little something up.

Antonia Lofaso, final four.

Spike Mendelsohn, top five. Spike went lost his bid for Top Chef over frozen scallops. He is one of the most colorful characters to have appeared on the show. In one episode, Spike, a straight guy, took a leisurely bath with another male contestant. As a bit of trivia, Spike is the first chef to win both the quick fire challenge, then get eliminated during the same episode.

Dale Talde, top six. Talde believes that had he won the quickfire challenge at the end, there would have been a different outcome for the Season Five winner.

Cast and episode information for Season Four at IMDB.
Cast and episode information for Season Four at Bravo TV.

Season Five, Los Angeles

Winner Season Five: Hosea Rosenberg.

Carla Hall, finalist. Carla's down-to-earth personality made her a favorite on the show. Her downfall was taking the advice of her sous chef, Season Three Top Chef contestant Casey, rather than depend on her own gut feeling on food choice. Carla was favored to win over the other finalists Stefan and Hosea but lost to Hosea.

Fabio Viviani, final four, fan favorite. As a favorite, should it surprise anyone that Fabio Twitters? http://twitter.com/fabioviviani

Jamie Lauren, top seven. Like so many of the other contestants, started out her culinary career by spending hours on end cooking with her parents.

Cast and episode information for Season Five at IMDB.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765425/episodes#season-5
Cast and episode information for Season Five at Bravo TV.

Season Six, Las Vegas

Winner Season Six: Michael Voltaggio

Jennifer Carroll, final four. Jennifer told the Top Chef producers that Season Six was the most intimidating because, "it's me" she said.

Mike Isabella, top seven. A plate of undercooked leaks took out outspoken Mike during Season Six.

Cast and episode information for Season Six at IMDB.
Cast and episode information for Season Six at Bravo TV.

Season Seven, Washington , DC

Winner Season Seven:Kevin Sbraga.

Angelo Sosa, finalist. This was one of the most heartbreaking Top Chef finals as favorite Angelo Sosa fell ill at the end. His quirky personality had other contestants both admiring him for his skills and giving him double takes for some of his behavior. Although he competed during his illness, he couldn't hold it together. With All-Stars, Angelo wants the result he should have had last season. "I'm back for redemption," he said. See Angelo speaking about his distressing loss on YouTube.
Cast and episode information for Season Seven at IMDB.
Cast and episode information for Season Seven at Bravo TV.

Tiffany Derry. Tiffany is bringing Texas to New York for All-Stars. She was the youngest member of management for the International House of Pancakes at age 17.