Thursday night's episode of "Top Chef" was shot in Oakland and features MC Hammer as a guest judge.

The 13th season of Bravo's cooking competition has been shot in various California locales.

Oakland is home to two restaurants from former "Top Chef" competitors: Shakewell, from Season 4 alum Jen Biesty and "Top Chef Just Desserts" competitor Tim Nugent, and Juhu Beach Club, from Season 6 contestant Preeti Mistry.

Hammer, who got his nickname back when he was an Oakland A's batboy due to his resemblance to slugger "Hammerin'" Hank Aaron, is himself a Cooking Channel star and presides over the episode's opening "quickfire challenge," which competitors learn when they meet him and host Padma Lakshmi in Jack London Square.

Bravo is a property of NBC Universal, which is the parent company of NBC Bay Area.