Top Chef has always been a fantastic show. But this season it’s getting even better. And it’s not because the chefs are the most talented yet. Okay, that might be a big part of it. But for me, it’s because Ted Allen is joining the cast as a judge. No more of this one or two guest judging episodes. Ted Allen has become an official Top Chef-ian.

Allen has a personality that few can rival. “There are a lot of people who know about food, but are not necessarily funny,” he explained. Allen’s got the food chops and the humor to make a perfect TV judge (which is why Iron Chef America swoops him up so often as well). And while Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons have had some extra time making their mark on Top Chef, Allen has no reason to worry about fitting in. Since he was able to “keep up with those blabber mouths” (referring to the rest of the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy cast), we know that man can do anything.

Ted Allen has the time to make the commitment to Top Chef now that Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is coming to an end. (Something I’m not so happy about). Ted and I disagree though because he said he’s “really happy” about it since it was so much work. He explained that each episode took one week to make, so the seasons they’d have to shoot forty-three episodes meant forty-three weeks of work, not including planning meetings and all of that goodness.

Don’t worry—that doesn’t mean he didn’t love his time on Queer Eye. Ted said, “It was a blast.” When I asked him if he stays in touch with the other guys from the show, he joked, “Nah, I can’t stand those jackasses.” Really though he stays in touch with all of them. And the best part about Ted Allen? While most celebrities would only want to talk about themselves during an interview, he updated me on what each of the Queer Eye Fab Five are up to. “Fashion Savant” Carson Kressley is working on his new Lifetime reality show How to Look Good Naked, as well as other pilots. “Design Doctor” Thom Filicia hosts Dress My Nest on the Style Network. “Culture Vulture” Jai Rodriguez has moved to Los Angeles to pursue auditions and “Grooming Guru” expert Kyan Douglas is working with L’Oréal.

Not only is Ted Allen incredibly humble, but as our PR girl Liz Satenstein said, “Ted Allen is literally the nicest person I’ve ever met.” Midway through our interview, Allen got called away for a run-through of the Top Chef Cook-Off. Afterwards though, Allen did something few celebrities would do—he actually came back to finish the interview. The man’s got class.

Maybe it’s because he’s in the hospitality business, or maybe it’s because his parents brought him up well. “My parents are southern,” he said growing up Allen learned, “If it’s on your plate, it’s delicious.” And that’s why he will make such a great judge on Top Chef. Ted Allen’s a smart critic, he’s got a sense of humor, and simply, he’s nice. “Food criticism is important to me,” Allen said. He added, “I like to be respectful of [the chefs]... I don’t like critics who are mean.”

While some rude critics make for good entertainment, Allen fits the Top Chef mold—intelligent with a personality—so well. I embrace Ted Allen’s Top Chef judge status with open arms! Happy cooking!