Guess what happens in the first episode of “Top Chef,” which airs Wednesday night?

Now that I’ve seen a preview of the full show, I can tell you a few things in that kind of vague, TV critic way — “interesting developments,” “compelling characters” — but of course I can’t reveal any spoilers. I couldn’t, for instance, tell you that a contestant named Betty sticks her hand into a running Robot Coupe food processor to dislodge an errant piece of fennel, with tragic results. Or that Jose makes a three-course repast entirely with dried roots he bought from a Chinese herbalist.

These events will not happen. There is no Betty. There is no Jose.

I guess I can tell you the following bits of information and informed opinion. Though if my friends at Bravo TV detect spoilage, I will have to wrap up this post in one of the Glad family of products and stick it on ice. So read quickly. Here’s what I have for you:

1. The show starts with a whopping 17 contestants, and will run about 15 minutes longer than subsequent shows.
2. All together now: There are not one, not two, but THREE Atlantans on the cast: Hector, Eli, and Kevin. Memorize these names. I think I can also say without spoilage that it will prove to be a very exciting show for Atlantans.
3. There will be no question of the show’s host city. Not only do a line of navel-baring showgirls dance through the saucier station, but games of chance promise to play a greater role than in past seasons. Added bonus: Many world-famous chefs with outposts in Las Vegas (Joël Robuchon, Wolfgang Puck) appear at the judges’ table.
4. “Sin” will be discussed in the first episode and hopefully acted upon in subsequent ones.
5. A deep fryer will play a pivotal role.
6. One character seems poised to play the role of resident, um, bouchedag. Of course I can’t say who. That would be a spoiler, right?