Pictured: (l-r) Vanarin Kuch, Melissa Camacho, Orlando Santos, Megan Ketover, Craig Poirier, Sally Camacho, Lina Biancamano, Amanda Rockman, Matthew Petersen, Nelson Paz, Chris Hanmer, Katzie Guy-Hamilton, Carlos Enriquez
In Top Chef Just Desserts -- returning Wednesday, August 24 at 10pm -- pastry chefs will see if they have what it takes to out flambé, out-frost and out-fudge the competition. Top Chef judge Gail Simmons will serve as the host alongside head judge and celebrated pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini. The show will also feature judges Hubert Keller, critically acclaimed chef of the world-renowned restaurant Fleur de Lys, and Dannielle Kyrillos, DailyCandy editor-at-large.
Each episode of Top Chef Just Desserts holds two challenges for the pastry chefs. The first is a quick-fire test of their basic abilities, and the second is a more involved elimination challenge designed to test the versatility and inventiveness of the pastry chefs as they take on unique culinary trials such as working with unusual and exotic ingredients or catering for a range of demanding clients.
Keep reading to meet the 14 cheftestants looking to take home title of Top Chef...
 Nelson Paz HOMETOWN: Buenos Aires, Argentina RESIDES: Boston, MA PROFESSION: Executive Pastry Chef, Mandarin Oriental, Boston CULINARY EDUCATION: Profesional Gastronómico, I.A.G FAVORITE RECIPE: Warm 64% Manjari Chocolate Tart, Caramelized Hazelnut, Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream |
 Vanarin Kuch HOMETOWN: Houston, TX PROFESSION: Pastry Chef CULINARY EDUCATION: AAS Culinary Arts at The Art Institute of Houston FAVORITE RECIPE: Gerber Macaroons |
 Sally Camacho HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA RESIDES: Los Angeles, CA PROFESSION: Pastry Chef of WP24 a Wolfgang Puck Restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, Los Angeles CULINARY EDUCATION: A.O.S Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Program, California Culinary Academy FAVORITE RECIPE: Pecan and Cashew Pie, Pumpkin Ice Cream |
 Rebecca Masson HOMETOWN: Laramie, WY RESIDES: Houston, TX PROFESSION: Pastry Chef/Owner of Fluff Bake Bar CULINARY EDUCATION: Diplome de Patisserie, Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, France FAVORITE RECIPE: Butterscotch Panna Cotta with Chocolate Banana Fluffernutter Sandwich |
 Orlando Santos HOMETOWN: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands RESIDES: Pittsburgh, PA PROFESSION: Owner/Pastry Chef of Orlando's Chocolate Treasures CULINARY EDUCATION: Johnson & Wales University, North Miami, FL FAVORITE RECIPE: Chocolate Caramel Raspberry Entremets |
 Melissa Camacho HOMETOWN: Port-au-Prince, Haiti RESIDES: New York, NY PROFESSION: Pastry Chef, ilili CULINARY EDUCATION: Institute of Culinary Education FAVORITE RECIPE: Classic apple pie with miso caramel and smoked vanilla ice cream. |
 Megan Ketover HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, OH RESIDES: Cincinnati, OH PROFESSION: Pastry Chef, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza CULINARY EDUCATION: AAB, Midwest Culinary Institute FAVORITE RECIPE: Warm brown butter apple cake with crème fraiche sorbet, bourbon caramel and spicy glazed pecans |
 Matthew Petersen HOMETOWN: Dublin, PA RESIDES: Arlington, VA PROFESSION: Executive Pastry Chef, CityZen and Sou'Wester at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C. CULINARY EDUCATION: A.O.S Baking and Pastry, Johnson and Wales FAVORITE RECIPE: Griddled pumpkin cake with raisin compote and ginger ice cream. |
 Lina Biancamano HOMETOWN: Phoenix, AZ RESIDES: Fort Worth, TX PROFESSION: Executive Pastry Chef, Stephan Pyles CULINARY EDUCATION: A.O.S. Culinary Arts, Le Cordon Bleu FAVORITE RECIPE: Fresh berry tart with creme chiboust |
 Katzie Guy-Hamilton HOMETOWN: Worcester, MA RESIDES: New York, NY PROFESSION: Executive Pastry Chef, New York Central at the Grand Hyatt New York CULINARY EDUCATION: French Culinary Institute FAVORITE RECIPE: Sticky toffee pudding with pears and coffee |
 Craig Poirier HOMETOWN: Derry, NH RESIDES: Las Vegas, NV PROFESSION: Pastry Chef, First Food & Bar CULINARY EDUCATION: Notter School of Pastry Arts FAVORITE RECIPE: Warm cinnamon roll with hazelnut ice cream, spiced caramel and toasted hazelnuts. |
 Chris Hanmer HOMETOWN: Costa Mesa, CA RESIDES: Las Vegas, NV PROFESSION: Owner of The School of Pastry Design CULINARY EDUCATION: Culinary Certificate from Orange Coast College, CA FAVORITE RECIPE: Vanilla poached apples with white pepper ice cream and cinnamon churros |
 Amanda Rockman HOMETOWN: Katy, TX RESIDES: Chicago, IL PROFESSION: Executive Pastry Chef, The Bristol and Balena CULINARY EDUCATION: A.O.S Pastry and Baking Arts, C.I.A FAVORITE RECIPE: Vanilla Basque Cake with confit apples, apple cider sabayon with cinnamon candied walnuts |
 Carlos Enriquez HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA RESIDES: Las Vegas, NV FAVORITE RECIPE: Apple crisp with vanilla gelato |
I loved the first season of Just Desserts, so I'm pretty pumped to see the show come back for a second season on August 24.
Which one of these contestants are your favorite? Leave a comment!