1. Since they are all very well known chefs (at least amongst foodies), it’ll be interesting to see what the chefs can do without their supporting cast (sous chefs, pastry chefs, etc.) While I don’t think they’ll throw everyone in a knife skills competition right away, I think that those who aren’t in a restaurant everyday would have a significant disadvantage.
2. Some of these chefs are specialists in a particular type of cuisine, it’ll be interesting to see how they’ll handle the curve balls that TC like to throw at the contestants.
3. It’ll be interesting to see how some of these very successful chefs handle the criticisms of the judges. Generally, chefs (especially the highly successful ones) have a certain type of personality and for the most part, I don’t think they’ll handle the criticisms well (no matter how credible the judges are).
4. I feel that there’s a wider range as far as the age range of the contestants. It’ll be interesting to see how experience will play in and also how innovation (challenging/redefining old concepts) will play into the contest.

Top Chef Masters airs on Bravo at 10pm EST on Wednesday.