PLACE: Chicago
HOST: Padma Lashmi.
JUDGES: Gail Simmons
Tom Colicchio
Ted Allen.
PRIZES: $100,000
Feature in Food & Wine magazine.
Showcase in Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, CO.
Dream Vacation in French Alps.
PLAYERS:
1. MARK Sous Chef New York City, NY via New Zealand.
2. ZOI Chef/ Consultant San Francisco, CA.
3. NIKKI Executive Chef of 25 Prince Manhattan, NY
4. SPIKE
5. NIMMA (black) Chef /Line Cook Decatur, GA.
6. LISA Sous Chef New York City, NY
7. ANTONIA Executive Chef of Foxtail Beverly Hills, CA.
8. RYAN Chef/ Manager of Cafe Myth San Francisco, CA.
9. RICHARD Chef Consultant Atlanta, GA
10. MANUEL Executive Chef of Dos Caminos New York City, NY
11. ANDREW Sous Chef of Le Cirque New York City, NY
12. STEPHANIE Chef Chicago, ILL.
13. VALERIE Personal Chef Chicago, ILL.
14. DALE Sous Chef of Buddakan New York City, NY
15. JENNIFER Executive Chef of Coco500 San Francisco, CA. (partner with Zoi)
16. ERIK Executive Chef of Circc San Francisco, CA.
ARRIVED AT: Pizzeria Uno
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: Create a singnature deep dish pizza in 90 minutes.
GUEST JUDGE: Rocco Dispirito.
STAYING AT: a house in Chicago.
.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Head - Head Classic Dish Cook-Off.
GUEST JUDGES: Anthony Bourdain.
Rocco Dispirito.
JUDGES TABLE: WINNER: Stephanie.
ELIMINATED: Nimma.
EPISODE #2: Zoo Food 15 left
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: Green City Market.
- Create a dish using only 5 ingredients.
GUEST JUDGE: Wylie Dufresne, Chef/ Owner of wd50 Restaurant in New York.
- Mark forget his shopping bag at the market.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Catere a party of 200 people at Lincoln Park Zoo.
based on their picked animal diet.
GUEST JUDGE: Wylie Dufresne.
WINNER: Andrew.
ELIMINATED: Valerie.
EPISODE #3: Block Party. 14 left.
GUEST JUDGE: Rick Bayliss, Chef/Owner of Frontera Grill & Topolobampo in Chicago.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: Create an upscale Taco.
- TOP: Andrew, Richard & Spike. WINNER: Richard - immunity & will put it on his menue.
FIELD TRIP: to a neiborhood in Chicago.
BLUE TEAM: Stephanie, Nikki, Antonio, Mark, Manuel, Lisa & Richard.
RED TEAM: Spike, Dale, Erik, Zoi, Andrew, Ryan & Jennifer.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: cater the block party. Plus, go to the house & beg for the food.
GUEST JUDGE: Rick Bayliss.
JUDGES TABLE: WINNER: Blue Team & WINNER - Stephanie.
LOSER: Red Team ELIMINATED: Erik.
EPISODE #4: Film Food 13 left
GUEST JUDGE: Daniel Boulud, DB bistro & Cafe Boulud.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: demo culinary skills in 3 techniques.
TOP #: Zoi, Dale & Richard. WINNER: Dale.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create a 6 course meal inspired by a film.
-1st course - Andrew, Dale & Richard - Willy Wonka.
- 2nd course - Spike & Manuel - Good Morning Vietnam.
- 3rd course - Jennifer & Nikki - Il Postino.
- 4th course - Ryan & Mark - A Christmas Story
- 5th course - Antonio & Zoi - Talk to Her.
- 6th course - Lisa & Stephanie - Top Secret.
JUDGES TABLE: #1 & #6 are their favorites.
WINNER: Richard.
BOTTOM: #5 & #2.
ELIMINATED: Manuel.
EPISODE #5: The Elements 12 left
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: identify the better of 15 ingredients.
- Blind Taste Test.
- 6 out 15 - Steph
- TIE - 11/15 Ryan & Jen.
THE WINNER: 12/15 Antonio has immunity.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Meals 0n Wheel Celebrity Chef Ball - cook the first course.
- The Elements: Earth, Air, Water & Fire.
TEAM WATER: Mark, Richard & Andrew.
TEAM AIR: Ryan, Nikki & Jen.
TEAM EARTH: Spike, Zoi & Antonio.
TEAM FIRE: Dale, Steph & Lisa.
JUDGES TABLE: Fav - Fire
- WINNER: Lisa - won 2 tickets to Italy.
- BOTTOM: Earth & Water.
ELIMINATED: Zoi.
EPISODE #6: Tailgating. 11 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: make a dish as a companion with beer.
GUEST JUDGE: Koren Grieveson, Chef de Cuisine, AVEC.
BOTTOM3: Nikki, Spike & Dale.
TOP3: Richard, Steph & Jennifer. WINNER: Jen.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Cook the food & serve at the tailgating party at Chicago Bears Soldier Field.
GUEST JUDGE: Paul Kahan, Chef & Owner of Blackbird & AVEC
JUDGES TABLE: Top 3: Dale, Antonio & Steph.
WINNER: Dale PRIZE: Bears T-Shirt & Webber Grill/
BOTTOM 3: Mark, Nikki & Ryan.
ELIMINATED: Ryan.
EPISODE #7: Improv 10 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: Create a delicious dessert.
GUEST JUDGE: Johnny Iuzzini, Executive Pastry Chef of Jean-George in NYC.
BOTTOM: Antonio, Spike & Mark
TOP: Dale, Lisa & Richard.
WINNER: Richard - his dessert will appear in the Top Chef Cookbook.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: " can have the night off & go to the 2nd City Improv".
- they will cook for the improv players.
- Spike & Andrew - Yellow Love Vanilla.
- Antoni & Lisa - Magenta Drunk Polish Sausage.
- Stephanie & Jennifer - Orange turnon Asparagus.
- Mark & Nikki - Purple depressed Bacon.
- Dale & Richard - Green perplexed tofu.
JUDGES TABLE: WINNER: Dale & Richard - (both) received $2,500 of Cephalon kickenwear.
BOTTOM: Antoni & Lisa and Stephanie & Jennifer.
ELIMINATED: Jennifer.
EPISODE #8: Common Threads 9 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: Create an entree in 15 minutes with using the product Uncle Ben.
GUEST JUDGE: Art Smith, Chef/Owner of Table 522.
BOTTOM; Mark, Stephanie, & Lisa.
TOP: Dale, Richard 7 Antonio.
WINNER: Antonio. has immunity.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create a healthy meal for family of 4 using only $10.00.
SERVED AT: Washburne Culinary Institute
JUDGES TABLE: TOP: Antonio Nikki & Andrew
WINNER: Antonio.
BOTTOM: Lisa Stephanie & Mark.
ELIMINATED: Mark. (finally- he had bad cooking habits)
EPISODE #9: Wedding Wars 8 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: no more immunities.
2 Teams: Nikki, Spike, Lisa, & Dale.
- Stephanie, Antonio, Andrew & Richard. - the winners.
- Mise En Place Relay Race.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Wedding Wars.
- Caterer a wedding. 1/2 Bride & other the Groom.
GUEST JUDGE: Gale Gand, Executive Pastry Chef & Owner.
JUDGES TABLE: WINNER - Richard but gave it to Stephanie
- received $2,000 gift card from Crate & Barrel
ELIMINATED: Nikki.k
EPISODE #10: Serve & Protect. 7 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE: Sam Talbot, Season #2 Finalist.
- Create a salad.
BOTTOM: Richard, Stephanie & Lisa.
WINNER: Spike no more immunity.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create gourmet & healthy boxed lunches for the police.
- Spike get an extra 10 minutes to shop.
ARRIVED AT: police Academy.
JUDGES TABLE:
TOP: Dale & Antonio.
WINNER: Dale PRIZE: 2002 Rutherford Hill Merlot Wine. & 2 ticket to winery in Napa Valley.
BOTTOM; Spike & Lisa & Andrew.
ELIMINATED: Andrew..
EPISODE #11: Restaurant Wars 6 left.
Tom arrived at chef's house early.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: work as short order in the egg station.
WINNER: Antonio has an advatage.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Restaurant Wars. Antonio chose her team.
ANTONIO Chose: Stephanie & Richard.
Dale, Lisa & Spike.
GUEST HEAD JUDGE: Anthony Bourdain fill in for Tom.
Also, get additional help: eliminated players.
GUEST JUDGE: Jose Andres, Chef & Host Made in Spain.
JUDGES TABLE:
WINNER: Antonio's Team.
WINNER: Stephanie - get Culinary Tour by Journey Pod in Spain.
BOTTOM: Dale's Team.
ELIMINATED: Dale.
EPISODE #12: High Steaks 5 left.
ARRIVED AT: Allen Brothers (Butchery)
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: in 2 parts.
1) cut chops in 20 minutes.
2) cook the chops in 30 minutes.
Last challenge before going to Puerto Rico.
GUEST JUDGE: Rick Tramonto, Chef/Owner.
BOTTOM: Stephanie & Richard.
FAVORITE: Lisa, Spike & Antonio.
WINNER: Spike has an advantage.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: take over the guest judge resturaunt - prepare an appetizer & entree.
- Spike get to pick out his protein first.
VIP GUESTS: Harold Dieterle, Winner #1
Ilan Hall, Winner #2
Hung Huynh Winner #3.
JUDGES TABLE:
- WINNER: Stephanie - received copy of Chef's book. & Suite of GE Monogram Kitchen.
ELIMINATED: Lisa or Spike.
FOUR FOUR:
Stephanie, Richard, Antonio & Lisa.
EPISODE #13: Finale Part I 4 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: in Puerto Rico cook fritters with plantain. in 40 minutes.
- WINNER: Stephanie her 1st quick fire win. & has advantage.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Use a whole pig to create dishes for a governor's event.
- will have helpers; the past eliminated players. Stephanie get to CHOOSE the help.
- Steph pick Dale,
- Richard get Spike.
- Antonio get Nikki.
- Lisa get Andrew.
JUDGES TABLE:
FAVOR: Richard & Stephanie.
WINNER: 2009 Toyota Corolla.
BOTTOM: Lisa & Antonio.
ELIMINATED: Antonio.
EPISODE #14: Finale Part II 3 left.
Three Popular Chefs will act as Sous Chefs:
- April Bloomfield.
- Dan Barber
- Eric Ripert.
FINAL CHALLENGE: Create a tradional 4 course tasting menu.
JUDGERS TABLE:
THE WINNER IS: STEPHANIE. (first woman).
EPISODE #4: Film Food 13 left
GUEST JUDGE: Daniel Boulud, DB bistro & Cafe Boulud.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: demo culinary skills in 3 techniques.
TOP #: Zoi, Dale & Richard. WINNER: Dale.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create a 6 course meal inspired by a film.
-1st course - Andrew, Dale & Richard - Willy Wonka.
- 2nd course - Spike & Manuel - Good Morning Vietnam.
- 3rd course - Jennifer & Nikki - Il Postino.
- 4th course - Ryan & Mark - A Christmas Story
- 5th course - Antonio & Zoi - Talk to Her.
- 6th course - Lisa & Stephanie - Top Secret.
JUDGES TABLE: #1 & #6 are their favorites.
WINNER: Richard.
BOTTOM: #5 & #2.
ELIMINATED: Manuel.
EPISODE #5: The Elements 12 left
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: identify the better of 15 ingredients.
- Blind Taste Test.
- 6 out 15 - Steph
- TIE - 11/15 Ryan & Jen.
THE WINNER: 12/15 Antonio has immunity.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Meals 0n Wheel Celebrity Chef Ball - cook the first course.
- The Elements: Earth, Air, Water & Fire.
TEAM WATER: Mark, Richard & Andrew.
TEAM AIR: Ryan, Nikki & Jen.
TEAM EARTH: Spike, Zoi & Antonio.
TEAM FIRE: Dale, Steph & Lisa.
JUDGES TABLE: Fav - Fire
- WINNER: Lisa - won 2 tickets to Italy.
- BOTTOM: Earth & Water.
ELIMINATED: Zoi.
EPISODE #6: Tailgating. 11 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: make a dish as a companion with beer.
GUEST JUDGE: Koren Grieveson, Chef de Cuisine, AVEC.
BOTTOM3: Nikki, Spike & Dale.
TOP3: Richard, Steph & Jennifer. WINNER: Jen.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Cook the food & serve at the tailgating party at Chicago Bears Soldier Field.
GUEST JUDGE: Paul Kahan, Chef & Owner of Blackbird & AVEC
JUDGES TABLE: Top 3: Dale, Antonio & Steph.
WINNER: Dale PRIZE: Bears T-Shirt & Webber Grill/
BOTTOM 3: Mark, Nikki & Ryan.
ELIMINATED: Ryan.
EPISODE #7: Improv 10 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: Create a delicious dessert.
GUEST JUDGE: Johnny Iuzzini, Executive Pastry Chef of Jean-George in NYC.
BOTTOM: Antonio, Spike & Mark
TOP: Dale, Lisa & Richard.
WINNER: Richard - his dessert will appear in the Top Chef Cookbook.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: " can have the night off & go to the 2nd City Improv".
- they will cook for the improv players.
- Spike & Andrew - Yellow Love Vanilla.
- Antoni & Lisa - Magenta Drunk Polish Sausage.
- Stephanie & Jennifer - Orange turnon Asparagus.
- Mark & Nikki - Purple depressed Bacon.
- Dale & Richard - Green perplexed tofu.
JUDGES TABLE: WINNER: Dale & Richard - (both) received $2,500 of Cephalon kickenwear.
BOTTOM: Antoni & Lisa and Stephanie & Jennifer.
ELIMINATED: Jennifer.
EPISODE #8: Common Threads 9 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: Create an entree in 15 minutes with using the product Uncle Ben.
GUEST JUDGE: Art Smith, Chef/Owner of Table 522.
BOTTOM; Mark, Stephanie, & Lisa.
TOP: Dale, Richard 7 Antonio.
WINNER: Antonio. has immunity.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create a healthy meal for family of 4 using only $10.00.
SERVED AT: Washburne Culinary Institute
JUDGES TABLE: TOP: Antonio Nikki & Andrew
WINNER: Antonio.
BOTTOM: Lisa Stephanie & Mark.
ELIMINATED: Mark. (finally- he had bad cooking habits)
EPISODE #9: Wedding Wars 8 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: no more immunities.
2 Teams: Nikki, Spike, Lisa, & Dale.
- Stephanie, Antonio, Andrew & Richard. - the winners.
- Mise En Place Relay Race.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Wedding Wars.
- Caterer a wedding. 1/2 Bride & other the Groom.
GUEST JUDGE: Gale Gand, Executive Pastry Chef & Owner.
JUDGES TABLE: WINNER - Richard but gave it to Stephanie
- received $2,000 gift card from Crate & Barrel
ELIMINATED: Nikki.k
EPISODE #10: Serve & Protect. 7 left.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE: Sam Talbot, Season #2 Finalist.
- Create a salad.
BOTTOM: Richard, Stephanie & Lisa.
WINNER: Spike no more immunity.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create gourmet & healthy boxed lunches for the police.
- Spike get an extra 10 minutes to shop.
ARRIVED AT: police Academy.
JUDGES TABLE:
TOP: Dale & Antonio.
WINNER: Dale PRIZE: 2002 Rutherford Hill Merlot Wine. & 2 ticket to winery in Napa Valley.
BOTTOM; Spike & Lisa & Andrew.
ELIMINATED: Andrew..
EPISODE #11: Restaurant Wars 6 left.
Tom arrived at chef's house early.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: work as short order in the egg station.
WINNER: Antonio has an advatage.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Restaurant Wars. Antonio chose her team.
ANTONIO Chose: Stephanie & Richard.
Dale, Lisa & Spike.
GUEST HEAD JUDGE: Anthony Bourdain fill in for Tom.
Also, get additional help: eliminated players.
GUEST JUDGE: Jose Andres, Chef & Host Made in Spain.
JUDGES TABLE:
WINNER: Antonio's Team.
WINNER: Stephanie - get Culinary Tour by Journey Pod in Spain.
BOTTOM: Dale's Team.
ELIMINATED: Dale.
EPISODE #12: High Steaks 5 left.
ARRIVED AT: Allen Brothers (Butchery)
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE: in 2 parts.
1) cut chops in 20 minutes.
2) cook the chops in 30 minutes.
Last challenge before going to Puerto Rico.
GUEST JUDGE: Rick Tramonto, Chef/Owner.
BOTTOM: Stephanie & Richard.
FAVORITE: Lisa, Spike & Antonio.
WINNER: Spike has an advantage.
VIP GUESTS: Harold Dieterle, Winner #1
Ilan Hall, Winner #2
Hung Huynh Winner #3.
JUDGES TABLE:
- WINNER: Stephanie - received copy of Chef's book. & Suite of GE Monogram Kitchen.
ELIMINATED: Lisa or Spike.
FOUR FOUR:
Stephanie, Richard, Antonio & Lisa.
EPISODE #13: Finale Part I 4 left.
- WINNER: Stephanie her 1st quick fire win. & has advantage.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Use a whole pig to create dishes for a governor's event.
- will have helpers; the past eliminated players. Stephanie get to CHOOSE the help.
- Steph pick Dale,
- Richard get Spike.
- Antonio get Nikki.
- Lisa get Andrew.
FAVOR: Richard & Stephanie.
WINNER: 2009 Toyota Corolla.
BOTTOM: Lisa & Antonio.
ELIMINATED: Antonio.
EPISODE #14: Finale Part II 3 left.
Three Popular Chefs will act as Sous Chefs:
- April Bloomfield.
- Dan Barber
- Eric Ripert.
FINAL CHALLENGE: Create a tradional 4 course tasting menu.
JUDGERS TABLE:
THE WINNER IS: STEPHANIE. (first woman).
REUNION SHOW:
FAN FAVORITE: STEPHANIE.
