Image by BB&T Charleton Food + WineImage by 20090302-blaisdrufresne.jpg Richard Blais, Wylie Dufresne (right).

The cult-popular Bravo series, Top Chef, has featured the best of the nation's culinary experts as judges and contestants on their show, and you might recognize some of them at Charleston Food + Wine Festival.

Richard Blais was one of the final three contestants on Top Chef's fourth season in 2008, but he lost the title to Chef Stephanie Izard. He also appeared on the Food Network's Iron Chef America. He currently is working on some new ventures in Atlanta, GA through his creative consulting company, Trail-Blais.

Wylie Dufresne also appeared on Bravo's Top chef, but as a guest judge during the fifth season, which just ended in February 2009. He is currently the owner of Manhattan's award-winning restaurant, WD-50.

These are just a couple famous faces that will thread the crowd and the guest chef panels this weekend at the BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival, so, buy your tickets now!