Taste the culinary power.Top Chef makes its home in the nation's capitol during season seven where it will not hesitate to take advantage of its position in Washington, D.C., near some of the most powerful people in the world, some of the most innovative restaurants around, and some of the best-known and most secretive buildings known to create the most challenging battle yet for 17 of the best new chefs from around the country.
Padma Lakshmi continues as host, co-host and head judge Tom Colicchio and judge Gail Simmons return, and Eric Ripert joins as a recurring guest judge. This season's title includes a feature in Food & Wine magazine, the opportunity for the winner to showcase his or her skills at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, and $125,000 to help turn the winner's culinary dreams into reality. A creation of Magical Elves Productions.
Broadcast History: Seasons 1-6 – Wednesday, 10:00 pm E/P (9:00 pm CT)
Awards:
2009 Emmy Awards
• Nominated – Outstanding Reality Competition Program, Outstanding Reality Hosts (Padma and Tom)
2008 Emmy Awards
• Nominated – Outstanding Reality Competition Program
2008 James Beard
• Won – Television Food Special ("Top Chef Holiday Special")
• Nominated – Television Food Show, National and Local (Season Three)
2007 Emmy Awards
• Nominated – Outstanding Reality Competition Program
• Nominated – Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming
The chefs cook up a dish that can nicely accompany tequila. Then, in a hunting-based test, they team up with famous culinarians and work with game. Guest judge: Tim Love.
The culinarians cook a meal using ingredients found inside a basic survival kit. Then, they visit an affluent Dallas neighborhood to serve up a sophisticated spread at a high-society dinner party. Guest judge: restaurate...
The heat is on when the chef-testants use hot peppers to create a spicy dish. Later, they visit a rodeo and participate in a chili cook-off. Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger are the guest judges.
In a Quickfire with bite, the chef-testants must whip up a savory meal using rattlesnakes in the recipe. Later, they create a feast for a coming-of-age celebration. Johnny Hernandez is the guest judge.
Aspiring culinary contestants try to win a coveted slot in the final 16.
29 chef-testants invading the Lone Star State to prove their culinary worth, but only 16 of them will advance in the competition.
The final two chefs battle it out to produce the best dinning experience.
The chefs design a challenge for their competitors; the chefs make a last supper for guests: Morimoto, Wolfgang Puck and Michelle Bernstein.
The chefs cater an upscale lunch party; they must catch conch to cook with.
The chefs set sail for the Bahamas, and each participates in a culinary duel against the person who was crowed the winner during their first stint on the show. Later, they create meals for Bahamian royalty.
The chefs need to make something out of nothing; the contestants head to Ellis Island, where they must make a dish based on their heritage.
The chefs must deep fry to impress Paula Deen; seafood for a charity event.
Chefs must make a cookie that pleases Cookie Monster, Telly and Elmo; making a dish at Target.
Designer Isaac Mizrahi judges contestants are judged on presentation and plating; traditional three-course Italian meal.
Fish fillet contest; chefs must open ``one night only'' restaurants in New York City.
In a series first, head judge Tom Colicchio enters the competition, challenging the chefs to beat his time in creating a dish. Then, the meal masters head to Chinatown to serve up dim sum for locals
Chefs must create a holiday stuffing dish with no utensils; catering the U.S. Open launch party.
A mise-en-place relay race; chefs cook in four of New York's finest restaurants
Pop singer Joe Jonas enlists the gourmets to prepare a snack for children taking in a sleepover at New York's American Museum of Natural History. Later, prehistoric sustenance inspires breakfast items for the children, w...
Summary: The contestants take on America's favorite pastime when they take over the concession stands at the Washington Nationals' home, Nationals Park.
Summary: The chefs are asked to take common recipes and create their own completely original redesigned dish.
Summary: The most anticipated and, arguably, the hardest challenge of the competition returns as the remaining chefs divide into two teams to conceive and debut their restaurants.
Summary: The culinarians prepare Ethiopian food, then serve up dishes inspired by a foreign embassy. Chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Jose Andres serve on the judging p
Summary: The chefs prepare bite-size fare, then create a power lunch at an upscale eatery. Taste testers include chef Art Smith; politicos Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.); and journalists Joe Scarborough, ...
Summary: Cooking with blue crab; chefs cook with fresh ingredients at a Virginian farm.
Summary: Cooking with blue crab; chefs cook with fresh ingredients at a Virginian farm.
Summary: The chefs create baby food for Padma's newborn; chefs are tested on their hospitality service.
Summary: The chefs create baby food for Padma's newborn; chefs are tested on their hospitality service.
Summary: In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's national initiative to end childhood obesity, the culinary artisans plate healthy kid fare at a middle school. White House chef Sam Kass is the guest judge
Summary: The premiere of Season 7 is served up, with 17 new culinary artisans infiltrating the nation's capital. In their first elimination challenge, they must prepare food fare that best represents themselves and thei...
Summary: The winning chef is revealed in the conclusion of the two-part Season 6 finale
The contestants move from the desert to Napa, California's wine country for challenges that will winnow them down from four to three.
It's a French connection when the food fighters form pairs to whip up delectable French dishes. Culinary masters Joel Robuchon, Daniel Boulud, Hubert Keller, Laurent Tourondel and Jean Joho make appearances.
After re-inventing the hot dog for the quickfire challenge, the chefs cook and serve lunch at Tom's flagship restaurant, Craft.
The finalists cook "the most important meal of their lives" for the judges to determine which will be crowned Top Chef.
Guest Judges/Sous Chefs: April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig Dan Barber of Blue Hill an...
There are four chefs and only three spots for the final round, and the contestants know it as they travel to Puerto Rico for the next two challenges.
Guest Judge - Wilo Benet
QuickFire Challenge...
The remaining chefs' butcher skills are tested, and then they must use the cut of meat they made.
Salad, one of the least respected dishes by chefs, takes center stage tonight as the contestants are challenged to reformulate it, then they continue with the healthy kick by trimming calories and all things bad from a c...
The remaining chefs' knife skills are challenged again, followed by a wedding reception challenge which might bring the blades out for an entirely different purpose.
The microwaves are back, and this time the contestants are to make a healthy meal using a single main ingredient. Chef Art Smith, owner of Table 52 in Chicago performs guest judge duties.
The chefs begin with a sugary challenge, and then move to the historic Second City Theatre where their improvisational skills will be tested by masters of the art – one of the resident troupes. Johnny Iuzzin...
Simple pleasures is the theme for tonight's round as the chefs must create a dish that complements beer, and then throw a tailgate extravaganza for fans of the local team.
QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish ...
The dreaded taste test is back, and even before the chefs recover from the QuickFire Chellenge, for the Elimination Challenge they must cater a charity event. Guest Judge: Ming Tsai.
The remaining chefs demonstrate their aptitude with knives, and then help Richard Roeper throw a film-themed dinner.
Guest Judge: Daniel Boulud.
QuickFire Challenge: Demonstrate Culinary Techniq...
A farmers' market takes prominence in this week's QuickFire, and an exotic location is the setting for the Elimination round as the remaining chefs cook for guest judge Wylie Dufresne.
The remaining chefs make the move to Aspen, Colorado for the semifinal and the decision of who the final two will be.
Sirio Maccione guest judges a QuickFire where the chefs must recreate one of his dishes, then they must impress four more chefs, including Andre Soltner, in elimination.
Chef Michael Schwartz helps to judge challenges that involve a cruise ship buffet and creativity in a grocery store.
The chefs are told that they must create the perfect burger. Then, they must create a new restaurant concept, including a great menu. Chef Daniel Boulud is the guest judge.
This round's theme is guilty pleasures. First the chefs must work with Summer's guilty institution, ice cream, and then they move on to Miami's night life, but there's a surprise in store for them.
Guest Ju...
The chef's taste buds are put to the test, and then they must "cook" for a frozen challenge. Rocco DiSpirito acts as guest judge.
In a special episode, Bravo's Andy Cohen sits down with past and current contestants to explore their experiences in the competition
Timing is the theme for this round as the 11 remaining chefs are asked to be creative with a time-saving pastry and then serve lunch to clients on a tight schedule.
Guest Judge: Maria Frumkin
Qu...
The contestants mix it up with Bombay Sapphire mixologist Jamie Walker, and then ply their trade at a gastronomic society. Barton G. Weiss of Miami's Barton G. the Restaurant serves as guest judge.
This week the remaining chefs must first catch fresh seafood, and then put a fresh twist on American dinner staples for members of the Miami Elks Club.
Guest Judge: Alfred Portale
QuickFire Chal...
Tonight's theme is sunshine, and first the contestants must use a product of that sunshine, citrus. Then they are asked to demonstrate their catering skills at an event which requires sunshine, a gourmet BBQ party.
...
The final two contestants battle for the title of "Top Chef."
Guest Judge: Hubert Keller
Final Challenge: Cook the Best Five Course Meal Each Chef has Ever Prepared in his Life.
Location, location, location! The remaining chefs travel to Hawaii for this round, and must use food native to the island for a luau that ends with naming the final contestants.
Guest Judge: Alan Wong
...
The sensuality of food runs through this round's challenges as the five remaining chefs are asked to determine what they want the diner to experience and then create a dish that carries this through. First up is everythi...
This round's theme deals with vision and execution, challenging the chefs' to create original ideas that can also be achieved. First up is snack food limited by three condiments, then on to this season's version of "Rest...
Tonight's theme focuses on the chefs' creativity in using food as an expression of art. They first must create a dish using one color – a hard task for the color-blind chef, then the contestants are "given" their ...
It's all a party when the contestants are asked to put their skills to work on both hors d'oeuvres and spirits. This round focuses on entertaining as the chefs are first asked to create an original drink accompanied by a...
This round's theme is all about working with limitations. The contestants must create a dish that is not cooked, and then adapt when they're asked to plan a dish without knowing the kitchen equipment available to them.
Taking the traditional and turning it on its ear is tonight's theme. The chefs are asked to make canned food pretty, and then a smaller group must make a "cutting edge" Thanksgiving dinner.
Guest Judge: Anth...
This round is all about leftovers and the chefs’ ability to be creative with difficult ingredients. They must make fine cuisine from truly disgusting fare, and then create a multi-course affair from only a restaur...
Attention to detail will be rated during this round. The chefs are asked to create a tidbit from not so tidbit-y choices, and then must serve a meal to kids at a fitness camp.
Guest Judge: Suzanne Goin
...
The 13 remaining contestants are asked to make food for everyday people: beach goers and firemen.
Guest Judge: Stephen Bulgarelli.
QuickFire Challenge: Create an Original Ice Cream Flavor.
...
An Asian culinary theme runs through this episode's challenges. First the contestants put their own twists on sushi, then they work as teams to participate in a charity event.
Guest Judge: Hiroshi Shima ââ‚...
Fifteen new contestants are introduced for Top Chef's second season in Los Angeles by new host Padma Lakshmi.
Guest Judge: Harold Dieterle.
QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using the Flambé...
The four remaining contestants cook for some of Napa Valley's most respected chefs.
For the quickfire challenge the contestants must make a gourmet sandwich. The winner doesn't get immunity but a sandwich on chef Tom Colicchio's menu at his new sandwich restaurant. For the Elimination Challenge the cont...
For the quickfire challenge the contestants are put under some serious money restraints. They have to choose from ingredients that are put in front of them that are priced by the pound and can only spend up to three doll...
For the quickfire challenge, the contestants are brought into an isolated room with many random exotic foods. They have to guess what they are with a blindfold on. For the elimination challenge the contestants are put in...
For the quickfire challenge the contestants are brought to a convenience store to buy ingredients for their dish. For the elimination round the contestants must create a delicious entree that can be reheated in a microwa...
For the quickfire challenge the contestants have to cook with octopus. For the elimination round the contestants are put into two teams: Red and Blue. They have to cook monk fish specialties for the kids at the Boys and ...
For this episode the contestants have to impress Elizabeth Falkner the owner of Citizen Cake. For the elimination challenge the turn up the heat with a "Sexy Dessert" contest for a fetish party for Mistress S.
In the first episode of the series we meet the 12 contestants. For the quickfire challenge they are tested in Fleur de Lys (a San Fransisco restaurant). For the elimination challenge each chef must make their specialty.
