Yoon and Fraser will have some tough competition, with some highly respected chefs participating in this season. Among them are New York's David Burke;

Douglas Keane, former chef of Cyrus in Sonoma; and Bryan Voltaggio, who famously lost season 6 of the regular Top Chef to his younger brother, our own Michael Voltaggio. Bryan Voltaggio is the first chef to compete on both Top Chef and Top Chef Masters.

Bravo has added an extra element to this season, with a competition between the chef's sous chefs that will air online only and is hosted by Hugh Acheson. The sous chefs' triumphs and defeats will gain their chefs advantages or disadvantages on the regular show.

Both Fraser and Yoon are exceedingly busy these days. Yoon is in the process of opening abakery project at Helms Bakery with Sherry Yard, while Fraser is working on opening a new restaurant with Bill Chait at Vibiana called Redbird, which they're billing as the follow-up to his much loved but now-closed Grace.