Next week will be a big one for New Orleans cuisine as two of prime time television’s hottest cooking competition shows hit up the Big Easy for its foodie culture. Both Bravo’s Top Chef and Fox’s Master Chef programs launch new season themes focused on Crescent City style cooking. However, each show is going about bringing local fare to their audiences a bit differently.

The "Top Chef" crew in New Orleans for its 11th season. (Photo: Justin Stephens)

It’s officially fall, and that means it’s time for some of TV’s most popular shows to launch new seasons. On October 1, Top Chef will kick-off its 2013 season by bringing a bit of contemporary NOLA eatery lifestyle to the streets of its headquarters in New York City. In fact, they are so on top things that the folks over at Bravo have teamed up with New York Magazine‘s daily food blog, Grub Street, to offer fans in the Manhattan streets this coming Tuesday a taste of two of New Orleans’ most popular foods, po-boys and beignets via one of the city’s more recent economic explosions — a food truck.

So if you’re in Manhattan on Tuesday, follow Top Chef’s Twitter account for the food truck stop locations where you can grab a messy sandwich, and some even messier french doughnuts, for free. Not to worry about authenticity either, for Top Chef is bringing downtown’s Cafe de Monde and uptown’s Domilise’s to prepare the goods, including chicory coffee, fried shrimp, jambalaya and of course… red beans and rice. What’s more? For every meal served, Top Chef will make a donation to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). The new season of Top Chef, which is focused and set solely in New Orleans, debuts on Wednesday, October 2 on Bravo. Local artists Leah Chase and Paul Prudhomme will guest-star, as will musicians Kermit Ruffins and Dr. John.

Fox's "Master Chef" is casting its 5th season in New Orleans on October 5.

If you’re in New Orleans next week, however, and you think you have the culinary skills it takes to compete on the newer Master Chef show, then be sure to nab your spot at the Hyatt French Quarter Hotel on Saturday, October 5 at 10 a.m. when Fox’s battle of the eats artists comes to town to host an all-day open call. Instead of bringing NOLA to their city, Master Chef is traveling straight to the source next weekend to scout talent for their fifth season. So all you edgy Big Easy chefs can save the date and register online here now. Get to bastin’ and grillin!

BONUS: Did you know?

OffBeat Food Editor, Elsa Hahne published her second book, The Gravy: In The Kitchen With New Orleans Musicians earlier this year. The unique and colorful twist on a New Orleans cook book combines two of the Crescent City’s greatest products: its food and the many musicians who make it. Always a coffee table conversation-starter and inspiring kitchen aid, you can order yours anytime directly from our OffBeat.com web store here!