'Top Chef Masters' - Contestants Announced, Guest Judges Include Neil Patrick Harris

by Alex Van Buren, Posted Apr 8th 2009 @ 11:00AM

What do upscale eats, Bravo and "Doogie Howser, M.D." have in common?

"Top Chef Masters", obviously. The spinoff of beloved show "Top Chef" will chronicle even more chef-on-chef trials -- now among seasoned, nationally known cooks -- and feature an incredible (and slightly bizarre) range of visiting judges.

We already knew about former New York Magazine critic Gael Greene (who looks pert and dare-we-say smurfy in her red cap) and sparkly eyed host Kelly Choi, but "guest stars and judges" including Neil Patrick Harris, Zooey Deschanel and the guys who write "Lost"? Oh, "Top Chef," always keeping us guessing.

Toques include the wizardly, Alsatian-born Hubert Keller of California's Fleur de Lys, New York's Anita Lo (Anissa) and ubiquitous South-of-the-Border specialist Rick Bayless.

Never fear: Padma, Tom and Gail will all be making cameos. As per Patrick Harris, who knew he was a culinary expert?

Patient: "You're a kid."
Doogie Howser, M.D.: "True, but I'm also a genius."

We'll be the judge of that, Doogie. Click to see the 24 contestants and read their glorious bios.

Tags: Kelly Choi, KellyChoi, top chef, top chef masters, TopChef, TopChefMasters