Emmy-winning culinary competition `Top Chef` has moved from Portland to Houston for its 19th edition. Production has begun there, and the show will premiere next year. Indian American model, TV host, author and activist Padma Lakshmi along with Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons are all returning to adjudicate the new group of cheftestants.

Also coming back will be a variation of last season`s `Top Chef` all-star judging panel, in which alumni of the show joined its bubble as guest judges and mentors. The idea was born out of pre-Covid vaccine necessity, but proved to be popular with the show`s fans. Tiffany Derry, Hung Huynh, Stephanie Izard, Melissa King, Kristen Kish, Kwame Onwuachi, Sam Talbot, Brooke Williamson and Claudette Zepeda are among the alumni who will appear on `Top Chef` 19th season, with more names to be announced later.