Vishwesh Bhatt, Vivan Howard on Deck for Gunshow's Next Hired Guns Series

Kevin Gillespie's Gunshow is quickly becoming as known for bringing in buzzworthy guest chefs as it is for its action-packed service. The restaurant's Hired Guns series returns at the end of January with Bryan Voltaggio, operator of several eateries in Washington, D.C. Voltaggio was a finalist along with Gillespie on Season 6 of Top Chef.

Voltaggio, whose restaurant group is currently facing a wage violation lawsuit, though the chef says the accusations are "incorrect," will join the Gunshow kitchen January 31 and February 1. Other names confirmed for the action include:

• Vishwesh Bhatt of Snackbar in Oxford, Miss. (March 13-14)
• Brian Baxter of Husk in Nashville (May 22-23)
• Kenny Gilbert of Gilbert's Underground Kitchen in Fernandina Beach, Fla. (June 12-13)
• Vivian Howard of Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, N.C. (dates in October TBA)

Bhatt was the James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: South in 2014, and Howard is well known for her PBS show A Chef's Life.

An announcement from Gillespie's Red Beard Restaurants says "one more surprise chef" will participate, too. In addition to the guests, each Hired Guns dinner features Gillespie, executive chef Joey Ward, and the rest of the Gunshow team. Seating is limited to 100, and tickets for Voltaggio's appearances go on sale December 31 for $95.