The cast of Top Chef Chicago

photo: Courtesy of Bravo

This Wednesday, Bravo's Top Chef returns to the airwaves for its fourth season. This time around, the action has been shot in the Windy City, where hosts Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi, Gail Simmons and Ted Allen will winnow down a new crop of 16 cheftestants down to one Top Chef.

While watching the toques compete in Quickfire Challenges (such as last season's mise en place relay race or the Bombay Sapphire cocktail competition) and Elimination Challenges (such as catering a yacht party) provides plenty of amusement, you might yearn to actually taste their creations – at least the winning dishes. Since licking the TV screen never satisfies, the best option is to eat at the restaurants where the cheftestants either currently work or most recently worked. Here's where you can find them in NYC, and around the country.

New York City:

Buddakan – Dale is a sous-chef at this opulent Asian fusion restaurant in Chelsea.

Dos Caminos – Manuel, who has worked at Mario Batali's ever-popular Babbo, is now the executive chef at the Midtown location of this high-end Mexican mini-chain.

Mai House – Spike works at this TriBeCa Vietnamese as the chef de cuisine.

Public – Not only does Mark work at this NoLita Eclectic, but Lisa used to work there too.

24 Prince – Nikki has been a co-owner/chef at this NoLita American since it opened in 2005.

Atlanta:

Repast – Nimma is the chef at this Midtown New American, which is known for having creative, edgy cuisine.

Los Angeles:

Foxtail – Antonia, who worked at Spago for six years, is now the chef at this glam WeHo newcomer.

San Francisco:

Circa – Erik is the executive chef at this swanky Marina New American.

Coco 500 – Jennifer is the executive chef at this SoMa Californian.

Myth Café – Ryan works as a chef at this popular Downtown New American, though he's rumored to be leaving just as Top Chef begins to air.