After last season’s, shall we say, diverse field of contestants, it came as a happy surprise to see a strong showing almost across the board from Top Chef season six’s competitors. And that former Luna-chef, Kevin Gillespie, is doing well makes this season even more interesting for many of us.

It’s nice to see Gillespie doing well in the show. After having dined at Luna during his tenure, it also comes as somewhat of a surprise, as I don’t have particularly fond memories of my meal there. Sufficient to say, his contributions to Top Chef looks to exceed my expectations. (Looks. Obviously I can’t taste it.)

With that said, here are my two favorite “cheftestants” thus far:

Kevin Gillespie! Hey, I will support a “local” boy, no matter how much he tries hide the fact he was a chef here. His contributions look inspired, too.

Jennifer Carroll! Other than the fact that she seems to be a very good cook, she has something most chefs on this show seems to be lacking: leadership skills. During the airforce episode, she definitely held the rest of the contestants together really well through guidance and thinking on her feet.

Top Chef is on Bravo, Wednesdays at 10pm.

And here is Kevin, from his Spokane days!