Atlanta's 'Top Chef' contestants

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Photos: Atlanta's 'Top Chef' contestants

Richard Blais and Kevin Gillespie are the Atlantans who have made the biggest splash on Bravo's competitive cooking show.

Chef Wesley True will compete on Season 13 of "Top Chef." The executive chef at The Optimist former served as the chef at The Spence in Midtown, replacing Richard Blais, who also competed on the show.

Ron Eyester competed on Season 12 of the show, set in Boston. Eyester's Morningside restaurants Rosebud, Timone's and Family Dog closed in 2015, though he still helms Diner at Atlantic Station.

Anthony Gray was eliminated in the qualifying round of Season 10 in Seattle. Previously the executive chef at Southern Art in Buckhead, the Macon native is currently the executive chef at Bacon Bros. Public House in South Carolina.

Janine Falvo was eliminated in the final qualifying round in Season 9 in Texas. She was previously the executive chef at Briza in Midtown and is now the executive chef at Renaissance Long Beach.

Tracey Bloom, formerly of Table 1280, came in 15th on Season 7, set in Washington, D.C. After she was eliminated, Bloom characterized the judges' critique as harsh but fair. She now focuses on creating allergy-free and gluten-free menus.

Hector Santiago, one of three Atlanta contestants on Season 6 of "Top Chef" in Las Vegas, came in 13th. His shocking early exit from the show continues to puzzle his many local fans. He previously owned Pura Vida in Virginia Highland and was the executive chef at Abbatoir in the West End. He recently opened El Super Pan in Ponce City Market.

Kevin Gillespie, former chef and partner of Woodfire Grill, came in third place in Season 6. He quickly became a fan favorite with his southern charm and his advocacy of sustainable dining. He opened Gunshow in Glenwood Park in 2013 and Revival in 2015. He was named a James Beard Foundation finalist in 2013 for his cookbook.

Eli Kirshtein, formerly of Eno, was a quirky up-and-down contestant on Season 6. When he was on, he was good enough to finish fifth in the competition. He recently opened The Luminary in Krog Street Market.

Arguably the most successful "Top Chef" alum out of Atlanta, Blais was the third runner up on Season 4 in Chicago and the winner of All-Stars Season 8. The owner of two Flip Burger Boutique locations (one in Virginia Highland was previously the HD1 hot dog spot) and The Spence in Midtown has plans for other spots around town. He recently opened Juniper & Ivy in San Diego, and now lives in southern California.

Nimma Osman didn't represent Atlanta quite as well as Richard Blais in Season 4 (Chicago) -- she got cut after the first episode. A former line chef at Repast, Osman is now a sous chef at Sun In My Belly in Kirkwood.

Heather Hurlbert was chosen for the spin-off "Top Chef: Just Desserts." The former executive pastry chef at the Cherokee Town and Country Club was a favorite from the first episode, but she succumbed to physical and emotional exhaustion and became the seventh person eliminated. She now owns and operates her own dessert company, HH Desserts.

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Chef Wesley True will compete on Season 13 of "Top Chef." The executive chef at The Optimist former served as the chef at The Spence in Midtown, replacing Richard Blais, who also competed on the show.

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