Even if you're kind of over Top Chef (Quickfire challenges! Padma in halter tops!), you might want to tune in tonight to check it out. Because tonight's guest judge is none other than Nathan Myhrvold, the man behind Modernist Cuisine, which 6-volume set is the contestants' homework. Fun, right?

It will be at least for Padma, who talked up the author on a recent Top Chef conference call we sat in on before the premiere. She said Myhrvold is a personal friend of hers she's been trying to get on the show for years, then gushed about his brilliance. Foodie crush, Padma?

But she's not the one of the people who needs to impress him. Some chefs, such as Chris Jones of Chicago's Moto–a restaurant known for its innovative cuisine, will likely be a quicker study than others, but it remains to be seen who turns out to be he modern-est modernist tonight. Check out the video that previews the chefs' attempts after the jump.

Who's your money on?

Top Chef airs tonight at 10 p.m. on Bravo.

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