However, by the end of the premiere, only 16 will get to put on the 'Top Chef' coat and compete as official cheftestants. The 16 official contestants will then compete across the state of Texas in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

"I'm so excited for everyone at home to get a glimpse of all the great and talented chefs," 'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi said in a statement. "This season is bigger and better than ever! Yum!"

Guest judges this season include Charlize Theron, Pee-wee Herman, Cat Cora, John Besh, Tim Love and Patti LaBelle. Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons will be joined by Emeril Lagasse and Hugh Acheson at the judging table.

This season, eliminated contestants will compete in a web series, 'Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen.' Hosted by Colicchio, the series will pit two eliminated contestants face-off for a chance to qualify to compete in the Season 9 finale.

The 29 contestants include:

Nyesha Arrington, 28, of Los Angeles, Calif.
Restaurant: Wilshire Restaurant

Lindsay Autry, 29, of West Palm Beach, Fla.
Restaurant: Omphoy Ocean Resort & Michelle Bernstein

Jonathan Baltazar, 36, of Long Beach, Calif.
Restaurant: Heights Cuisine

Ty-Lör Boring, 34, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Restaurant: Spasso

Molly Brandt, 30, of Hollywood, Fla.,
Restaurant: Allure of the Seas for Royal Caribbean.

Chaz Brown, 29, of New York, N.Y.
Restaurant: Fatty Crab.

Kimberly Calichio, 27, of New York, N.Y.
Restaurant: Fishtail by David Burke

Beverly Kim, 31, of Chicago, Ill.
Restaurant Aria Restaurant

Chris Crary, 29, of Los Angeles, Calif.,
Restaurant: Whist Restaurant in the Viceroy Hotel

Andrew Curren, 32, of Austin, Texas
Restaurant: 24 Diner

Berenice deAraujo, 33, of Miami, Fla.
Restaurant: Sra. Martinez

Janine Falvo, 37, of Atlanta, Ga.
Restaurant: Briza Restaurant

Richie Farina, 28, of Chicago, Ill.
Restaurant: MOTO

Sarah Grueneberg, 29, of Chicago, Ill.
Restaurant: Spiaggia

Chris Jones, 30, of Chicago, Ill.
Restaurant: MOTO

Edward Lee, 38, of Louisville, Ky.
Restaurant: 610 Magnolia

Whitney Otawka, 30, of Cumberland Island, Ga.
Restaurant: Greyfield Inn

Simon Pantet, 30, of Seattle, Wash.
Restaurant: Twenty-Two Doors

Colin Patterson, 37, of Seattle, Wash.
Restaurant: Sutra

Laurent Quenioux, 51, of Los Angeles, Calif.
Restaurant: Vertical Wine Bistro

Paul Qui, 30, of Austin, Texas
Restaurant: Uchiko Restaurant

Keith Rhodes, 39, of Wilmington, N.C.
Restaurant: Catch Restaurants

Grayson Schmitz, 27, of New York, N.Y.
Occupation: Exec. Chef

Tyler Stone, 22, of Sacramento, Calif.
Occupation: Personal Chef

Heather Terhune, 39, of Chicago, Ill.
Restaurant: Sable Kitchen and Bar

Chuy Valencia, 25, of Chicago, Ill.
Restaurant: Chilam Bilam

Nina Vicente, 29, of Seattle, Wash.
Restaurant: Spur Gastropub

Ashley Villaluz, 25, of Seattle, Wash.
Occupation: Sous Chef

Dakota Weiss, 35, of Los Angeles, Calif.,
Restaurant: 9:30 Restaurant and The Backyard