For week, there have been rumors floating about that the next season of Bravo’s “Top Chef” would be an all-star edition. Tonight, Bravo confirmed that news, and announced the cast. Gotta say, as a “Top Chef” fan who was disappointed by the just-completed season, I’m kinda giddy. The lineup is fantastic, with pretty much every past favorite I can think of (along with a few hiss-worthy villains). Just what the series needs to give itself a jolt to regain its relevance.

The competitors will be:

From Season 1: Tiffani Faison and Stephen Asprinio

From Season 2: Marcel Vigneron and Elia Aboumrad

From Season 3: Dale Levitski, Casey Thompson and Tre Wilcox

From Season 4: Richard Blais, Spike Mendelsohn, Dale Talde and Antonia Lofaso

From Season 5: Fabio Viviani, Jamie Lauren and Carla Hall

From Season 6: Michael Isabella and Jennifer Carroll

From Season 7: Angelo Sosa and Tiffany Derry

And if that isn’t enough, Anthony Bourdain will be a full-time alternating judge, just as Eric Ripert was last season. Sorry, no Ripert this time around; Bourdain will rotate with Gail Simmons. Season 8 is being shot now in New York, and will premiere Dec. 1.

This is going to be a whole lot of fun.

So what do you think? Who’ll be the favorite? Or who’s your favorite? And is this lineup enough to entice you back for another season?

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