Two Chicagoans Square Off on “Top Chef Masters”

Art Smith and Takashi Yagihashi to compete on Bravo reality show

You can expect a lot of Chicago flavor on the newest season of "Top Chef Masters."

When the Bravo reality series kicks off Wednesday night, the contestants will include Art Smith -- Oprah's longtime chef and owner of Table Fifty-Two in the Gold Coast -- and noodle master Takashi Yagihashi, owner of Bucktown's Takashi and River North's Slurping Turtle.

"I was always like Curious George. I'm like a small monkey. I've never been to the Top Chef Masters, so I wanted to try how much I can do," said Yagihashi.

It will be the second go-round on the show for Smith, who first competed on the show in 2009. That season was won by another Chicago chef, Rick Bayless.

This season takes place in Las Vegas, with 12 chefs competing to win the title and a $100,000 grand prize for charity.

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