HOST: Padma Lakshmi.
JUDGES: Tom Colicchio
Gail Simmons.
PRIZE: A Feature in Food & Wine Magazine,
An Appearance at Food & Wine Classic in Aspen,
$250,000 ( the highest amt in Top Chef history)
Title.
STARTS AT: Griffith Observatory.
PLAYERS (15)
1. ERIC ADJEPONG S-16 Kentucky Washington, D.C
2. KAREN AKUNOWICZ S-13 California Boston, MASS.
3. JENNIFER CARROLL S-6 Las Vegas Philadelphia, PA.
4. STEPHANIE CMAR S-11 New Orleans Boston, Mass.
5. LISA FERNANDES S-4 Chicago Brooklyn, NY
6. KEVIN GILLESPIE S-6 Las Vegas Atlanta, GA.
7. GREGORY GOURDET S-12 Boston Portland, OR
8. JAMIE LYNCH S-14 Charleston, SC Charlotte, NC.
9. MELISSA KING S-12 Boston San Francisco, CA
10. BRIAN MALARKEY S-3 Miami San Diego, CA
11. NINI NGUYEN S-16 Kentucky New York City, NY
12. JOE SASTO S-15 Colorado Los Angels, CA
13. ANGELO SOSA S-7 Washington DC San Diego, CA
14. BRYAN VOLTAGGIO S-6 Las Vegas Frederick, MD
15. LEE ANN WONG S-1 San Francisco Maui, Hawaii
FIRST QUICKFIRE: Mise En Place Race ( but will do it differently)
- 3 Legs but after each leg the first five to finish will become a team & start cooking immediately.
1st leg: Turn 3 Artichokes,
3rd leg: Crack 20 California Almonds (but will have only 15 minutes to cook)
- the kitchen clock will start when last team arrives
- Use the prepped ingredients from above i 2 dishes.
TEAM 1: Kevin, Jamie, Bryan V., Joe, & Melissa.
TEAM 2: Nini, Stephanie, Brian M., Lisa, Karen.
TEAM 3: Lee Ann, Jennifer, Gregory, Angelo, & Eric.
WINNER: is the Red Team. Now each will be captain for the next challenge.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Seafood Feast
BRYAN picks Eric & Lisa,
KEVIN picks Jennifer & nini,
JAMIE picks Gregory & Stephanie,
JOE picks Lee Ann & Brian M.,
Melissa picks Angelo & Karen.
JUDGES TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Jeremiah Tower
TOP TEAM: Yellow Team & WINNER: Gregory.
BOTTOM: Red Team
ELIMINATED: Joe.
NEXT CHALLENGE Begins Immediately??????????????
EPISODE #2: The Jonathan Gold Standard. 14 left.
ARRIVED ON: Cliffside - No Quickfire Challenge but they will spend the day exploring the city using Jonathan Gold's Best 101 Restaurants of Los Angeles, ( his last list before dying)
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create a dish by visits to some of Jonathan Gold's favorite restaurants. Will be served at iconic Union Station to 200 guests.
- Kevin, Gregory, Angelo, & Eric.
- Nini, Bryan V., Jamie, Brian M.
- Lee Ann, Jennifer, & Stephanie.
SHOPPING: 30 minutes & $700.00
JUDGES TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Ruth Reichl, Food Writer & Judge from Top Chef Masters.
TOP 3: Nini, Kevin & Bryan V.
WINNER: Kevin
BOTTOM 3: Anego, Stephanie & Eric
ELIMINATED: Angelo.
EPISODE #3: Strokes of Genius. 13 left
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE: 30 minutes to Create a unique fired rice dish using at least one ingredients from display table.
BOTTOM: Jamie & Nini.
TOP: Kevin, Eric & Karen.
WINNER: Kevin.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create a dish inspired by Art from the Getty Museum.
- NEOCLASSICISM: Jennifer, Eric, Karen & Kevin,
- RENAISSANCE: Brian M., Nini, & Lee Ann,
- ROCOCO: Melissa, Gregory & Stephanie.
- Served at the Museum.
JUDGES' TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Ludo Lefebvre
TOP: Brian M., Bryan V., Melissa & Eric.
WINNER: Melissa.
BOTTOM: LeeAnn, Stephanie, Jamie & Karen.
ELIMINATED: Jamie.
EPISODE #4: You're So Fresh. 12 left.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE: Kelly Clarkson. - new movie"Trolls World Tour"
- Create a dish using one ingredients from each of the six colors in the display. in 30 minutes
PRIZE: 2 Tickets to Attend the World Premiere of the Movie.
BOTTOM: nini, Stephanie & Bryan.
TOP: Gregory, Lisa & Karen.
WINNER: Gregory.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: go to Santa Monica Farmer's Market to shop
- Create a 6 Course progressive menu & dessert, must be vegetarian. Shopping Money per team $1,200 & 45 minutes to shop.
BLUE TEAM: Melissa, Karen, Kevin, Gregory, Jennifer & Eric.
RED TEAM: Stephanie, Bryan, Lisa, LeeAnn, Nini & Brian.
TWIST: You won't know what available in the Market until you get there.
COOK AT: Birdie G's. GUEST JUDGE: Jeremy Fox.
JUDGE'S TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: none.
WINNER: Blue Team & WINNER: Melissa.
ELIMINATED: Lisa for Brussel Sprouts being over cooked.
EPISODE #5: Bring Your Loved One to Work. 11 left.
- The Chefs enter the kitchen BUT No Padma. But, on each table is a smartphone, which they used & find they LOVED ONES answered.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE: Replicate a restaurant dish guided only by a loved one over the phone whom is in the restaurant, Osteria Mozza.
30 minutes to cook.
GUEST JUDGE: Nancy Silverton.
BOTTOM: Brian.
TOP 3: Melissa, LeeAnn & Kevin.
WINNER: Kevin.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Westfield Century Club.
- Create a signature specialty product & build a dish to highlight it. $600.00 to shop & loved one will help.
- LeeAnn's mother fainted during the cooking & had to leave.
JUDGES' TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Nancy Silverton.
- Melissa sold 31 bottles & is SAFE.
TOP 3: Gregory, Nini, & Eric.
WINNER: Gregory.
BOTTOM 3: Stephanie, Jennifer & Brian.
ELIMINATED: Jennifer.
EPISODE #6: GEt Your Phil. 10 left.
START OFF: Chef's House - The Chef waking up then head to kitchen.
GUEST JUDGE: Chris Bianco, James Beard Winning Chef.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE: Create a dish using non-wheat flours.
BOTTOM: Bryan & Brian.
TOP: Melissa, Gregory & Nini.
WINNER: Gregory.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: 100 year Anniversary of Los Angeles Phil
- 5 Taste Profiles: Salty, Sweet, Sour, Bitter & Umami. Double Elimination
- Work in Pairs to find harmony between 2 flavors for the anniversary. SERVED & COOK AT: Iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Bryan/Eric: Bitter/Sweet,
LeeAnn/Brian: Umami/Bitter
Kevin/Melissa: Sweet/Salty
Greg/Steph: Sour/Salty
JUDGE'S TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Timothy Hollingworth, Chef/Owner of Otium Rest.
TOP & WINNER: Melissa & Kevin.
BOTTOM: Nina/Karen and Bryan/Eric
WINNER: Nina & Karen.
EPSIODE #7: Pitch Perfect 8 left.
START OFF: In the house eating dinner.
NEXT DAY: Last Chance Kitchen Winner is Brought Back: Karen. 9 left.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE: Danny Trejo, Actor.
- Create a Taco using only a Machete as means of cutting. 30 minutes.
BOTTOM: Gregory & Eric.
TOP: LeeAnn, Karen, & Stephanie.
WINNER: Stephanie -has Immunity & the Last One.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
- Stephanie Izard, Winner of Top Chef - Chicago,
- Pitch a restaurant concept for restaurant wars, design a concept, create a menu & mood board and 1 or 2 dishes.
- At night they went bowling to relax.
JUDGES' TABLE:
TOP: Greg, Kevin, Brain M., & Melissa.
WINNERS: Kevin & Greg
BOTTOM: Eric, LeeAnn & Stephanie (has immunity)
ELIMINATED: Eric.
EPISODE #8: Restaurant Wars. 8 left.
START OFF: In the Chef's House.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: In Two Teams create & executive restaurant based on Kevin & Gregory's concepts. PRIZE: $40,000 to be split.
KEVIN:: Bryan, Melissa, & Karen,
GREGORY: Malarkey, LeeAnn, & Stephanie.
JUDGES' TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Stephanie
WINNER: Gregory's Team.
LOSER: Kevin's Team - he planned too much & guest did not want to leave. He based his plans on Grandmother & what works at home doesn't work in a restaurant.
ELIMINATED: Kevin. What works for your family doesn't usually work in a restaurant.
EPISODE #9: Cabin Fever. 7 left.
START OFF: In the Chef's House - they are upset about Kevin bein being eliminated, then a message from Padma came in: Going to Summer Camp.
ARRIVED AT: Pali Mountain Retreat Center
- A weekend camp for mothers.
GUEST JUDGE: Kelsey Bernard Clark, Winner of Top Chef - Kentucky.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE: Create a grilled dish featuring Bush's Beans. in 30 minutes.
PRIZE: $10,000 cash.
TOP: Karen, LeeAnne, & Gregory.
WINNER: LeeAnne.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create two brunch dishes each for 200 mom using limited ingredients in the camp kitchen.
GUEST JUDGE: Brooke Williamson
TOP: Karen, Bryan & Gregory.
WINNER: Bryan V.
BOTTOM: LeeAnne, Melissa & Brian M.
ELIMINATED: LeeAnne.
EPISODE #10: Colossal Coliseum Kaiseki. 6 left.
START OFF: In the Chef's house - fixing a meal.
ARRIVED IN: The Kitchen.
GUEST JUDGE: Chef Sherry Yard.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE: Create a sweet treat using ingredients correctly guessed in Blind Taste Test. 5 minute to guess 20 ingredients.
1st place: guessing 13 - Stephanie - get 1 hour to cook,
Tied for 2nd: guessing 13 Gregory & Melissa but Melissa use longer so Greg got 2nd - got 1 hour to cook. Melissa get 45 minutes to cook,
4th place: Bryan V. guess 11 get 45 minutes to cook,
5th place: Karen guess 8 & Brian last both get only 30 minutes.
BOTTOM: Karen & Bryan V.
TOP: Brian & Melissa.
WINNER: Melissa.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Serve one dish in a 6 course progressive Kaiseki Meal for Olympic Athletes. Will serve at the the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
GUEST JUDGE: Niki & Carole Iide- Nakayame.
WINNER: Stephanie.
BOTTOM: Karen, Greg, Malarkey, & Melissa.
ELIMINATED: Karen.
EPISODE #11: Michael's Santa Monica. 5 left.
START OFF: Preview of Last Chance Kitchen - Winner: Kevin. Kevin is back.
NOW: 6 left.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE: Create an elevated airline meal consisting of an appetizer, main entree following airline restrictions in 30 minutes.
BOTTOM: Stephanie & Malarkey.
TOP: Kevin & Melissa.
WINNER: Melissa.
5 Will Go to Finale in Tuscany, Italy.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Serve a dish inspired by a classic Michael's Santa Monica dish for their 40th anniversary.
JUDGE'S TABLE
GUEST JUDGE: Jonathan Waxman
WINNER: Melissa
BOTTOM 2: Malarkey & Gregory
ELIMINATED: Malarkey.
EPISODE #12: Lucca. 5 left.
MEMO: From Tom C. about the current situation. RE: Cornvid Virus.
START OFF: 5:45 am Chef's House - getting packed for Italy. Traveling first class.
ARRIVED AT: Tuscany, Italy - staying at Renaissance Hotel. - Lucca, Italy.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE: Filippo Saporito.
- Create a traditional aperitivo inspired by regions of Italy for the locals of Lucca. in 45 minutes.
WINNER: $10,000.
- Gregory - Italian Islands - Seafood,
- Melissa - Central Italy - Wild Game - Beef, Mussels,
- Stephanie - Northwest Italy - Venison & Tuna,
- Kevin - Northeast Italy - Cold Cuts,
- Bryan - Southern Italy - Tomatoes & Lamb.
BOTTOM: Bryan & Stephanie (she knew she was making a mistake but didn't have the courage to stop)
TOP: Melissa, Kevin & Gregory.
WINNER: Kevin win the $10,000
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Going Hunting.
- Hunting White Truffles.
- Served at: L'Imbuto Restaurant.
JUDGES' TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Christiano Tomei, Avant-Garde Italian Chef.
TOP: Bryan & Melissa.
WINNER: Melissa.
BOTTOM: Kevin, Gregory & Stephanie.
ELIMINATED: Gregory. (I knew it - could not be another Black Top Chef - only 1) There should more Black judges so we will have fair chance. Tom did not like Gregory's food.
EPISODE #13: Parma. 4 left.
FINAL FOUR: Melissa, Kevin, Bryan & Stephanie.
START OFF: At the elimination.
- Sending them on One Last Journey - Emilia-Romagna-Parma.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Make a traditional Italian primi & secondi dish that features parnigiano reggioano & prosciutto di parma.
- Served at: Antica Carte Pallavicina , Michelin Star Restaurant.
JUDGES' TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: Evan Funke, Chef/Author.
TOP: Melissa & Stephanie
WINNER: Melissa.
BOTTOM: Kevin & Bryan
ELIMINATED: Kevin.
EPISODE #14: Finito. 3 left.
START OFF: The Hotel They received a message from Padma. Enjoy your breakfast then meet her on the the terrace.
ARRIVED ON: The Terrace - was Tom & Padma.
- She gives them their final challenge
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE: Create a four course progressive meal, for many famous chefs. They are given help:
- Stephanie choose Malarkey,
- Bryan choose Kevin &
- Melissa choose LeeAnn (whom filling in for Greg whom has back problems)
They go to Florence to shop for food.
Later that night Tom, Padma & Gail cook them dinner.
NEXT DAY: Cook & serve their last meal.
JUDGES' TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE: ????????????????
THE WINNER IS: MELISSA.
