Who Made the Cut? Casting Top Chef-All Stars

It wasn’t an exact science choosing 18 Top Chef all-stars — none of whom had won the title — to compete for a second chance at gastronomic glory. The lineup runs the gamut, from chefs who made it to the finals to one who didn’t make it past the top eight. There are chefs who seem to be brought back for personality alone (we’ll say it: Fabio!) and those who still have bones to pick when it comes to why they were eliminated the first time.

Executive producers Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth talked to TVGuide.com about their picks. Find out who was a last-minute addition, who they couldn't have done without, and who is competing at the expense of one of the show’s regular judges.