Cast of 'Top Chef: Las Vegas' Announced, Show to Premiere Aug. 26

The cast of "Top Chef: Las Vegas" has been revealed, reports Reality TV World. Bravo has disclosed the identities of the 17 contestants competing for the title of "Top Chef" on the show's sixth season, scheduled to premiere on Aug. 26.

Along with the coveted title, the "cheftestants" will also be competing for $100,000 in seed money to assist in opening a restaurant, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and $100,000 worth of Macy's merchandise, a prize that has not been included in the previous seasons' winning packages.

According to Reality TV World, with the move of "Project Runway" to Lifetime, "Top Chef" has taken over as Bravo's highest-rated series. Las Vegas will serve as the competition's sixth different setting.

"Las Vegas has become a culinary destination – some of the world's best chefs and restaurants are here – so it's only fitting that our newest season was the best yet," said "Top Chef" judge Tom Colicchio. "You'll be surprised by the quality of cheftestants we discovered this season. They really raised the bar."

Joining Colicchio and the cheftestants in season six will be fellow judges Gail Simmons and Toby Young, host Padma Lakshmi, and a variety of guest stars. Among the guest appearances, viewers can reportedly expect to see Natalie Portman, Wolfgang Puck, Todd English, Hubert Keller, Tim Love, Michelle Bernstein, Tyler Florence, and Charlie Palmer.