Emeril says Top Chef: New Orleans promises alligator, new challenges

New Orleans’ po-boy shops, gourmet restaurants and suburban bayou-side eateries are the backdrop for the country’s search for its next “Top Chef,” and some of the city’s food stars came out to celebrate on Wednesday night. Chef Emeril Lagasse, who returns as a judge, was among those who walked a red carpet for a pre-premiere screening of the 11th season of the hit reality TV food competition, which debuts Oct. 2. “It’s going to be a very interesting season because I think a lot of this new talent maybe haven’t worked with alligator, maybe haven’t worked with turtle,” he tells The Associated Press. “The culture and cuisine here is over 200 years old. You can’t say that about a lot of cities. It’s really amazing.” Chef John Besh, who also served as a guest judge, says he’s excited to share New Orleans cuisine with the world. Besh owns several restaurants in the city—including Restaurant August and Domenica. “What we have here is really special,” he says. “We have the only indigenous urban cuisine in the country, and to share it with an audience of millions is really special.” Other Louisiana chefs making appearances in the series include Leah Chase, John Folse and Susan Spicer. Read the full story.