Also joining the reality food-based competition is Hugh Acheson, Food and Wine’s 2002 “Best New Chef” award winner who recently competed in season 3 of Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters.”

In addition to adding the two super-chefs , Bravo also announced that in a series first, Top Chef would switch things up for the new season by originating from three Texas cities – San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin – as opposed to just staying in one.

Read on for Bravo’s full press release:

Go big or go home – that’s the motto for season nine of the Emmy and James Beard Award-winning No.1 food show on cable, “Top Chef,” as it heads to the state that does everything bigger – Texas. Possibly the worst kept locale secret in this moment’s culinary universe, the new season of “Top Chef” will heartily embrace the Lone Star State’s adage that all things are bigger as, in a series first, the production will head to three cities within the season – Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. Season nine will also showcase many surprising twists and turns and never-before-seen challenges and events. Returning to the judges table is host Padma Lakshmi and head judge, chef Tom Colicchio, alongside judges Gail Simmons and new this season, famed chef and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse and critically acclaimed chef Hugh Acheson. “Top Chef: Texas” will air later this fall.

“Top Chef” offers a fascinating window into the competitive, pressure-filled environment of world-class cookery and the restaurant business at the highest level. The series features aspiring chefs who compete for their shot at culinary stardom and the chance to earn the prestigious title of “Top Chef.” “Top Chef All-Stars,” the eighth season of the series, averaged over 3.2 million total viewers, 2.2 million adults 18-49 and was the No. 1 food show on cable among adults 18-49. The franchise is produced by the Emmy Award-winning Magical Elves with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serving as executive producers.

Season 9 of Top Chef will premiere later this fall, following the sophomore season of “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” which premieres later this month.

Emeril Lagasse, Hugh Acheson Join Season 9 of ‘Top Chef’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Up to and after the birth of her now 11-month-old daughter Krishna, Padma Lakshmi did not reveal the identity of the child’s father.

Now Krishna’s dad, venture capitalist Adam Dell, says he has no choice but to take Lakshmi to court to gain reasonable access to his daughter. Dell says that Lakshmi only allows him seven hours a week with Krishna, and refuses to work out a “reasonable co-parenting” schedule to permit him more time with the baby. According to Dell’s lawyer Bill Zabel, court is a last resort:

“Unfortunately, Ms. Lakshmi has severely limited his time with their daughter and has refused to negotiate a reasonable co-parenting agreement. Mr. Dell has tried his best to avoid going to court, but Mrs. Lakshmi has given him no other choice at this time,” Zabel said.

According to Zabel, Dell has been forced to accommodate Lakshmi’s busy schedule in order to see his daughter, even having to fly off to the Bahamas in at least one instance to see her. Dell also seeks acknowledgement on Krishna’s birth certificate, as well as a shared last name for the child.

Padma Lakshmi taken to court by babydaddy Adam Dell is a post from: The Inquisitr

Padma Lakshmi, host of TV’s Top Chef, gave birth to a baby girl Saturday, her rep confirmed to People.

Lakshmi, 39, has still not revealed the identity of the baby girl’s father. (Gawker says it’s Michael Dell.) Lakshmi’s representative did not disclose the child’s weight or city of birth, but did confirm the baby’s name- Krishna Thea Lakshmi. The statement was brief:

“Model, author and Emmy-nominated host of Top ChefPadma Lakshmi gave birth to a baby girl named Krishna Thea Lakshmi on Saturday,” her rep tells PEOPLE. “Mother and baby are well and happy.”

The child is the first for Lakshmi, who struggled with endometriosis, a painful condition affecting the reproductive system. People quoted a friend of the TV host on the pregnancy Lakshmi’s rep initially called “a medical miracle.”

“Padma is very happy. She’s wanted to be a mom for a long time. She was very relieved and happy when she got pregnant.”

‘Top Chef’ host Padma Lakshmi has baby girl is a post from: The Inquisitr

Top Chef‘s Padma Lakshmi is pregnant at 39, after suffering from endometriosis for many years.

Lakshmi, however, has not named the father of the child and remains silent on who the mystery man may be. Speculation has centered around a man named Manu Nathan, whom Lakshmi has been seen around town with, but her rep denies the rumors. According to Popeater, the man may actually just be her cousin.

Lakshmi’s rep has said that the pregnancy is of a “delicate nature” and requested space for the Top Chef star:

“This pregnancy has been referred to by her physician as nothing short of a medical miracle, and due to its delicate nature, we ask/implore the press to respect Ms. Lakshmi’s privacy at this time,” Lakshmi’s rep said.

Endometriosis is a common condition but can be extremely painful, and is known to adversely affect fertility.

Padma Lakshmi pregnant, mum on babydaddy is a post from: The Inquisitr

Top Chef New York finished it’s most successful season this evening with a final three cook a three-course meal that included Alligator on the menu.

The three finalists were Carla Hall, Stefan Richter and Hosea Rosenberg with guest judge Emeril Lagasse joining Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and Toby Young to make the call.

Hosea Rosenberg was crowned winner of this years Top Chef New York.

“It felt amazing to win, but to have it come down neck and neck with Stefan just made it all that sweeter,” Rosenberg said after winning.

“That was the icing on the cake. This is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. I know a lot of people are going to be proud of me for this. I could not be happier.”

Hosea Rosenberg crowned winner of Top Chef New York is a post from: The Inquisitr

Unlike boring Desperate Housewives restrictions where they can only spend like $150 on a necklace and $250 on a pair of shoes, Top Chef‘s been doing the budget game since square one.

Now that the show is on it’s fifth season (tonight at 10/9c!), Padma’s been talking about what’s going to change on the show with the economy in its current shape, and essentially, it’s not much:

You know, I think we have addressed it without knowing how timely it would become because, if you notice, a lot of our challenges have a really tight budget. We do it by making parameters of, you have this much money, but you have to feed this many people. So that’s always a struggle. Every challenge is about balancing your food budget. Every single one.

Bring on New York’s Top Chef! I live for the challenges, and nothing will seem amiss at all. Squeeee, I can’t wait.

Padma Talks Tightening Top Chef Budgets is a post from: The Inquisitr