A guide to Top Chef: New Orleans

The new season of Bravo’s reality competition cooking show Top Chef is offering up a taste of Louisiana. For its 11th season, the judges and chefs have headed to New Orleans, and things are already getting heated after last week’s premiere episode.

Among the contestants, Janine Booth and Jason Cichonski are making waves for their looks. The show also features a few chefs from Louisiana restaurants—Michael Sichel, the executive chef at Galatoire’s Restaurant, and Justin Devillier, the chef/owner of La Petite Grocery.

However, Nina Compton from Saint Lucia got a win on the first elimination challenge, cooking for 150 people in a “swamp” cookout using either alligator or turtle. Compton was named “Queen of the Swamp” for her tender turtle meatballs, doused with curry and served with chayote slaw and chutney with raisins.

Carrie Mashaney from Iowa and Sara Johannes of Milwaukee were up to the challenge, placing right behind Compton. Ramon Bojorquez, a sous chef from Rio Rico, Ariz., wasn’t as lucky and was sent home.

Last night, Mashaney continued to impress the judges and brought home a win with her Yellow Team’s menu of Latin-inspired dishes such as shrimp ceviche and beef and pork curry empanadas. The confident Cichonski, however, didn’t fare as well and was sent home.

This season promises to show off the state’s knack for flavor and flair. The guests this year include Dr. John, Chef John Besh, Kermit Ruffins and many more. Chefs Emeril Lagasse and Hugh Acheson have also returned as judges, chiming in on each episode with the regulars—host Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons.

For many locals, this season will be particularly exciting to see if these contestants will be able to cook the stuff we get to eat everyday. However, if you want to have some fun and are particularly cynical about this season of Top Chef, we’ve got a fun drinking game for your viewing parties.

Top Chef: New Orleans drinking game

Take a drink if…
• A contestant, judge or guest pronounces New Orleans “N’awlins,” “New Orleens,” or any other way than how it’s actually pronounced.
• Someone says “the South,” “the swamp,” “Cajun,” or “Creole.”
• Someone mentions Hurricane Katrina.
• You see b-roll of Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, someone dancing with an umbrella or cops on horses.
• Dr. John appears and mumbles something weird (so, just keep drinking as long as he’s on screen).
• A brass band is used as background music.
• A contestant cooks gumbo, jambalaya (or anything with rice), étoufée, a po-boy or something with shrimp or crawfish.
• A contestant complains about the weather.
• Contestants get mad at each other in the during a challenge.
• A judge mentions “flavor profiles.”
• Host Padma Lakshmi grimaces.