Ultimate BBQ Showdown on Tonight's TOP CHEF on Bravo

Bravo TV's TOP CHEF TEXAS returns tonight with an all new episode entitled 'BBQ Pit Wars'. On the show, the chefs return to their suite after Judges' Table to find a note along with the entire box set of The Modernist Cuisine by Nathan Myhrvold. He will be the guest judge and the six-volume set of books is their homework.

For the Quickfire, the chefs must create something that's impressive and creative, but also tastes amazing. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs split into teams and face off in an ultimate BBQ showdown. After all, what's more Texan than a good ol' fashioned BBQ? The fans will decide which team has the best BBQ. Guest judge Nathan Myhrvold joins Gail Simmons, head judge Tom Colicchio, and host Padma Lakshmi. The episode airs tonight at 10:00 pm/et on the Bravo Network.

For the first-time ever, season nine of TOP CHEF boasted a record 29 chefs - almost double the amount of chefs in season's past. Only 16 went on to compete across the Lone Star State - in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. In what will prove to be the most challenging season yet, some of the biggest names in food, music, and entertainment including Charlize Theron, Pee-Wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love, Patti LaBelle will be featured this season on Top Chef: Texas. 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.