Art Smith and Takashi Yagihashi to compete on 'Top Chef Masters'

The Las Vegas-based fourth season to include guest judges Sugar Ray Leonard, Dita Von Teese and Holly Madison

Art Smith and Takashi Yagihasi will compete on the fourth season of Bravo's… (Courtesy of Bravo )

May 24, 2012|By Lisa Arnett | RedEye

It looks like Chicago is represented well on the fourth season of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters," set to debut July 25. The cast of 12 includes Takashi Yagihashi of Bucktown's Takashi and River North's Slurping Turtle and also Art Smith of Gold Coast restaurant Table Fifty-Two.

"Top Chef Masters" is a spin-off of Bravo's popular "Top Chef"series that features seasoned chefs competing to win $100,000 for a charity of their choice. Takashi will be competing on behalf of the American Red Cross, benefitting Japanese tsunami disaster relief. Smith represents Common Threads, the charity he co-founded with Oprah to teach children about nutrition.

According to a statement from Bravo, celebrity guest judges for the season include Dita Von Teese, Sugar Ray Leonard, Holly Madison, Brian Boitano and Sugar Ray Leonard. Curtis Stone returns as host, joined by returning judges James Oseland and Ruth Reichl and new judges Francis Lam, Gilt Taste features editor and food journalist Krista Simmons. For a sneak peek, watch Bravo's preview reel for the show.