SEASON -15- COLORADO - JOE FLAMM

FIRST LOOK:

PLAYERS (15)
1.  BRUCE KALMAN, Owner/Chef.                                              Pasadena, CA.
2.  ADRIENNE CHEATHMAN, Chef/Consultant                         Harlem, NY
3.  CHRIS SCOTT, Chef/Owner.                                                    Brooklyn, NY
4.  TANYA HOLLAND,   "    "                                                      Oakland, CA.
5.  TYLER ANDERSON, "      "                                                    Simsbury, CONN.
6.  JOE SASTO, III, Executive Chef.                                             Los Angeles, CA.
7.  CARRIE BAIRD, Chef De Cuisine.                                          Denver, CO.
8.  JOSEPH FLAMM, Executive Chef                                          Chicago, ILL.
9.  TU DAVID PHU, Chef/Founder                                               Oakland, CA.
10.  MELISSA PERFIT, Executive Chef                                       San Francisco, CA.
11.  FATIMA ALI, Chef                                                                 New york City, NY.
12.  LAURA COLE, Owner/Chef.                                                Denali, AK.
13.  ROGELIO GARCIA, Executive Chef                                   San Francisco, CA.
14.  BROTHER LUCK, Chef/Owner                                         Colorado Springs, CO.
15.  CLAUDETTE ZEPEDA-WILKINS, Executive Chef           San Diego, CA.

PRIZE:  Feature in Food & Wine Magazine.
              An Appearance at The Classic Food & Wine.
              $125,000 by S. Pellegrino Water.
              The Title of Top Chef.
HOST:  Padma Lakshmi.
JUDGES:   Gail Simmons,
                   Tom Colicchio
                   Graham Elliott
FIRST QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a potluck dish in 45 minutes.

EPISODE #1:  It'll Take More than PotLuck.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE  Continue.....
- Chefs voted for the top & bottom.
BOTTOM 2:  Melissa & Carrie.
TOP 3:  Joe, Joseph & Tu.
WINNER:  Tu.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  hosting a block party.
- Put a Modern Twist on Meat & Potatoes.

- Serve 200 Denver local at Larimer Square in Denver.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP 3:  Tyler, Chris & Fatima.
WINNER;  Tyler.
BOTTOM 3:  Adrienne, Melissa & Carrie.
ELIMINATED:  Melissa.

EPISODE #2:  Smile and Say Mise.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Blue Apron Mise En Place Relay.
GUEST JUDGE:  Troy Guard, Chef & Owner of Tag Restaurant Group.
PART I:  Task #1:  Peel & Brunoise 1 qt. of Shallots.

               Task #2:  Peel, Destem & Slice 1 qt of mushroom
               Task #3:  Butcher 20 7-8 oz. pieces of beef tenderloin.
WINNER:  Blue Team wins:  Rogelio, Tyler, Claudette, Adrienne, Joseph, Brother & Bruce.
PART II:  Now Cook a dish individually using the mise ingredients.
BOTTOM:  Rogelio & Tyler.
TOP:  Brother & Joseph.
WINNER:  Joseph wins immunity & $5,000.00 & a year of Dinner service & Wine from Blue Apron.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Alex Seidel, Chef & Owner of Mercantile.
- Create a four course progressive menu.  BUT use the farm special ingredients.:  CHEESE.
WINNER:  Green Team.  & Carrie.
ELIMINATED:  Claudette.

EPISODE #3:  Keep On Trunkin'
GUEST JUDGE:  Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, Chef/Owner of Frasca Food & Wine.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Deconstruct the Denver Omelet.  (sudden death & 30 minutes.
TOP:  Carrie, Brother & Tu.
WINNER:  Brother.
BOTTOM:  Tayna, Laura, & Rogelio.
SUDDEN DEATH CHALLENGE:  Create the Perfect French Omelet in 15 minutes.

BOTTOM:  Laura ' could not stop thinking of home.
ELIMINATED:  Laura.

ELIMINATED CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Hosea Rosenberg, Top Chef Season #5 Winner.
- Create a food truck concept with cohesive 3 items meal for 150 college students.
- Carrie, Tanya & Joe F. - Black Team.
- Fatima, Joe S. & Tyler - Yellow Team.
- Brother, Bruce & Rogelio - Green Team.
- Adrienne, Chris & Tu - Blue Team.

JUDGES' TABLE:
TEAM COLLEGE STUDENTS LIKED:  Black Team.
JUDGES WINNING TEAM:  Yellow Team.   WINNER:  Joe S.
BOTTOM TEAMS:  Green & Blue Teams.
BOTTOM:  Green.
ELIMINATED:  Rogelio.

EPISODE #4:  Little Tool, Big Challenge.                                      11 left.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Elevate a classic dish from traditional kid's meal.

GUEST JUDGE:  Curtis Stone, Executive Chef/ Owner of Gwen.
- using kids size tolls in 40 minutes.
BOTTOM:  Carrie, Tyler & Bruce.
TOP:  Adrienne, Fatima & Tanya.
   WINNER:  Adrienne.  has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish that represents your heritage.

JUDGES' TABLE:
TOP:  Chris, Tanya & Joe S.
   WINNER:  Chris.
BOTTOM:  Joe F., Tyler & Bruce.
ELIMINATED:  Tyler.

EPISODE #5:  This is Not Glamping.

- The Chefs from Last Chance Kitchen was there.
LAST CHANCE KITCHEN CHALLENGE:  Cook with your guts.
- Make a dish using internal organs & entrails.
- Kwame is out.
- Tied:  Lee Ann Season #1 & Claudette Season #15 are back in.

NO QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a five star meal using ONLY camping equipment & limited ingredients.
- at Estes Park Mountain Resort.   Snow & 38 degrees.

GUEST JUDGE:  Naomi Pomeroy, Chef & Owner of Beast.

JUDGES' TABLE:
TOP:  Bruce, Lee Ann & Carrie.
WINNER:  Bruce.
BOTTOM:  Tanya, Chris & Tu.
ELIMINATED:  Tu.

EPISODE #6:  Now That's Lot of Schnitzel.
- LeeAnn going to the hospital.
GUEST JUDGE:  Richard Blais, Chef & Owner of Juniper & Ivy and former player & winner.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Make Your signature dish in 30 minutes.
- BOTTOM 3:  Claudette, Adrienne & Fatima.
- TOP 3:  Chris, Brother & Joe.
- WINNER:  Chris Immunity & feature on BuzzBee.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:

GUEST JUDGE:  Keegan Gerhard, Chef & Owner of D Bar Denver.
- Create a GErman Inspired dish & radler.
( Chris does not drink)
- LeeAnne leaves the show.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP 3:  Bruce, Claudette & Tanya.
- WINNER:  Tanya wins a trip by BMW to Palm Springs training camp
BOTTOM:  Brother, Joe S. & Adrienne.
ELIMINATED:  Brother.


EPISODE #7:  Olympic Dreams.                                             9 left.
- Bruce's wife called - He became a dad.  Jude Paul  7 lbs. 3 ozs.  22 inches.

ARRIVED AT:  Chef's House at 6 am Padma & Brooke Williamson - S-14 Winner.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Breakfast.
- make a breakfast dish featuring Nutella in 30 minutes.

BOTTOM:  Joe, Tanya & Adrienne.
TOP:  Carrie, Claudette & Fatima.
WINNER:  Carrie wins immunity & $5,000.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  2018 Winter is 2 weeks away.

GUESTS JUDGES:  Meryl Davis, Olympic Ice Dancing Gold Medalist,
                                  Gus Kenworthy, Olympic Freeski Slope Style Silver Medalist,
                                  John Daly, Team USA Olympic Skeleton Racer.
- In Teams of 3 complete head - to head in 3 rounds: speed, precision, & creativity.
Round 1:  Feed 30 diners in 45 minutes,
Round 2:  Cook a protein to the perfect temperature & compose a dish using Chiffonade, batonnet & brunoise cuts,
Round 3:  Make the most creativity dish possible using a mystery protein.
Scores Round 1:  Red 47                      White 41.5                                        Blue  42.5
            Round 2:         40.5                              18.5                                                  42.5
            Round 3:         35                                 51                                                     51.5
GOLD:  Blue,  Silver - White  &  Bronze - Red.
WINNER:  Joe.
BOTTOM:  White
ELIMINATED:  Tanya.        

EPISODE #8:  Restaurants Wars   

                            8 left.
ARRIVED AT:  Mile High Station.
GUEST JUDGES:  Eric & Bruce Bromberg, Chefs & Owner of Blue Ribbon.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:    Restaurant Wars.  3 course with 3 options.
-  pick knife   Carrie & Chris are captains
- Carrie  teams:    Bruce, Joe F., & Adrienne.  addition  help:  Tyler.  Conifer.
- Chris teams:  Joe F., Fatima & Claudette.  additional help:  Robert.  Common Place.

JUDGES TABLE'S:
- WINNER:  Conifer.  & WINNER:  Joe F.  Team win $40,000
- LOSER:  Common Place:  
ELIMINATED:  Claudette.      

EPISODE #9:  Bronco Brouhaha.                                 7 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  David Kinch, Chef/Owner of Manresa.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish using flowers in 30 minutes.

- No more Immunity & Sudden Death
TOP:  Fatima & Carrie.
WINNER:  Carrie will have an advantage.
BOTTOM 3:  Joe F., JoeS., & Chris.
SUDDEN DEATH :  Create a dish with Cauliflower substituting one ingredients in 30 minutes.

ELIMINATED:  Joe F.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Adam Perry Lang, Chef/Owner of APL Restaurant.
- Work in teams of 2 to create one plate of food for a tailgate Super Bowl Party.
- Carrie's advantage is she picks the teams.
- Carrie & Chris - White team,  Adrienne & Joe,     Bruce & Fatima.

JUDGES' TABLE:
WINNER:  White Team.  Wins trip to the Super Bowl Game in Minn. (Go Eagles)
ELIMINATED:  Fatima.

EPISODE #10:  Red Rum and Then Some.                               5 left.
ARRIVED AT:  Stanley Hall.  Place where Stephen King wrote Shining.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dessert that visualizes your nightmare.
-BOTTOM:  Carrie & Bruce.
- TOP:  Adrienne, Joe & Chris.
- WINNER:  Chris wins $5,000 credit from the sponsor.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish represents your culinary journey on Top Chef
   for the Governor & notable chefs of Colorado.
- GUESTS:  John & Robin Hickenlooper, Governor.

JUDGES' TABLE:
TOP:  Carrie & Adrienne & Joe.
BOTTOM:  Bruce & Chris.
ELIMINATED:  Bruce.

EPISODE #11:  Cooking High.                         4 left.

           FINAL FOUR:  Carrie, Chris, Adrienne & Joe S.
ARRIVED AT:  Telluride Regional Airport.  to Madeline Hotel & Residences.
Now go to New Sheridan Western Saloon.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a Gastropub inspired dish featuring Sarsaparilla.
QUEST JUDGE:  Wylie Dufresne.
Also, LAST CHANCE KITCHEN WINNER:  Joe Flamm.
- Joe F. get to steal 1 ingredients from each of the chef.
BOTTOM:  Adrienne & Joe F..
TOP:  Chris, Joe S. & Carrie.
WINNER:  Carrie get $10,000.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a high concept dish to serve at Alpino Vino, North America's Restaurant at 12,000 feet.
- must include a baked element.
GUEST JUDGE:  Paul Liebrandt, Owner of Crumpet Management.

JUDGES' TABLE:
TOP:  Joe F., Joe S., & Adrienne.
WINNER:  Joe S.
BOTTOM:  Chris & Carrie.
ELIMINATED:  Chris

EPISODE #12:  Sunday Supper.  4 left.
     FINAL FOUR:  Joe F., Joe S., Adrienne & Carrie.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish with Rocky Mountain Oysters prepared 2 ways.

GUEST JUDGES:  Bryan & Michael Voltaggio,  previous players.
BOTTOM:  Joe F. & Carrie.
TOP:  Adrienne & Joe S.
WINNER:  Joe S. - has an advantage.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:    Family Visit & cooked their favorite home dish.
- Create an innovative dish inspired by your family member's meal.
- Joe get extra time in prep time.
ARRIVED AT:  221 South Oak, Eliza Gavin's place previous S-10 player.
WINNER:  Adrienne.
ELIMINATED:  Carrie.

EPISODE #13:  A Little Place Called Aspen.  3 left.
ARRIVED AT:  The Viceroy Hotel at Food & Wine Classic  in Aspen.
GOING TO:  T-Lazy 7 Ranch, Aspen.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Catch a trout, then use it to create a dish within 40 minutes.

GUEST JUDGE:  Chris Cosentino, Chef & Restaurateur.
WINNER:  Joe F.  has advantage next challenge.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a Vegetarian dish for 200 diners at The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen using ONLY  a kettle for heat.
Joe's advantage- choose the the extra helps for the chefs.
- Joe F. get Carrie, Adrienne get Bruce & Joe S. get Chris.

JUDGES TABLE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Daniel Blue
WINNER:  Joe F.
ELIMINATED:  Joe S.

EPISODE #14:  Finale
            FINAL TWO:  Joe F. & Adrienne.

FINAL ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  At Aspen Mountain Club, Elevate 11,212 feet
- Create the ultimate four-course progressive meal.
- Will get 2 helps:  Adrienne pick Chris & Carrie  and Joe F. picks Joe S., & Fatima.

JUDGES TABLE:
             THE WINNER IS:  JOE F.

UPDATED:  AS OF 1-11-19

UPDATED:  Sorry to hear about her passing.

SEASON #14 - CHARLESTON, SC -BROOKE.

NEW PLAYERS VS. VETERANS

HOSTS:  Padma Lakshmi & Tom Colicchio

PLAYERS (New)

1.  JIM SMITH  Ex Chef of State of Alabama                                           Montgomery, AL. 

2.  ANNIE PETTRY  Ex Chef /Owner Chef Decca                                   Louisville, KY.

3.  BJ SMITH  Ex. Chef/ Owner  Smokehouse 21                                      Portland, OREGON

4.  EMILY HAHN  Chef at Warehouse Bar & Kitchen                             Charleston, SC.

5.  GERALD SAMBRIGHT  Chef De Cuisine Ario                                 Marco Island, FL.

6.  JAMIE LYNCH  Ex Chef/Partner 5Church Group                              Charlotte, NC

7.  SILVIA BARBAN  Chef /Owner Anita Rest.                       (Italy)     Brooklyn, NY

8.  SYLVA SENAT  Ex Chef. Maison Mao                                               Phila., PA.

(VETERANS)

1.  AMANDA S-7

2.  BROOKE   S-10

3.  CASEY   S-3 & S-8 ALL STARS

4.  JOHN TESAR  S-10

5.  KATSUJI  S-12

6.  SAM  S-2

7.  SHELDON  S-10

8.  SHIRLEY  S-11

PRIZES:  Feature in Food & Wine Magazine.

                 An Appearance at the classic by Food & Wine Magazine in Aspen, CO.

                $125,000 Cash by S. Pellegrino Water. 

JUDGES:  Tom Colicchio,, Gail Simmon & Graham Elliot

EPISODE #1:  Something Old & Something New.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE #1 (with Newbys) - Create as dishes as you want using a whole chicken in 1 hour.

- WINNER:  Jim & LOSER:  Gerald.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE #2(vETERANS):  Create your take on shrimps & grits in 30 minutes.

- WINNER:  Brooke            & LOSER:  john.

SUDDEN DEATH COOK-OFF:  Gerald vs. John.

ARRIVED AT:  Boone Hall Plantation.

- Create an oyster roast dish in 20 minutes.

ELIMINATED:  Gerald.

EPISODE #2:  Southern Hospitality.
ARRIVED AT:  a Plantation.
GUEST JUDGE:  Frank Lee, Executive Chef Hall Management Group.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Work in teams to create a family style meal inspired by Charlestonian home-cooked dishes.
--   Rookies vs. Veterans.
- Rookies didn't plan their sopping & had trouble with kitchen size (small).

JUDGES TABLE:
-Grey Team (Veteran) won.
- BEST:  Casey, John & Sheldon.
- WINNER:  Casey.
- LOSER:  Orange Team (Rookies).Lest:  BJ, Annie & Jamie.
ELIMINATED:  Annie.  (didn't have the time to bake her tarts).

EPISODE #3:  Choke, Hold & Clammy Hands.
ARRIVED IN:  Kitchen.
GUEST JUDGE:  Chris Cosentino, Owner & Owner of Cockscomb.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  25 minutes.  Work in teams to complete in 5 Mise En Place tasks.
- Onions, garlic, artichokes, shrimps & clams.

-WINNER:  Blue Team.  MVP - Sheldon.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a 7-Course Meal going against the other team feature Radish

                                                               

JUDGES TABLE:

- Blue Team won.  WINNER:  Brooke.

-LOSER:  Green Team.  Sam, Casey, Sylvia, & BJ.

ELIMINATED"  Sam.

EPISODE #4:  The Feast of Seven Fishes.

GUEST JUDGE:  Nilou Motamed, the new Editor of Food & Wine Magazine.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a meal using everything in your"gifts"  Pressure cooker, patron tequila, pomegranate. chocolate pretzels, cloves, wasabi, squab & melon baller.  30 minutes

- LEAST FAVORITES:   Shirley, Emily, BJ 

- TOP 3:  Brooke,  Casey,  John 

WINNER:  Casey has immunity.

GUEST JUDGE:  Mike Lata, Chef & Owner of Fig.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  working in teams of 2.  Serve at Fig.

- meal of 7 fishes.  with Trash Fish.

- Sheldon & Shirley

- Jamie & Sylva.

- Brooke & Emily.

- BJ & Silvia.

- Katsuji & John. 

- Jim & Amanda.

- Casey.

JUDGES TABLE:

BEST:  Shelton  and Jamie & Sylva  and John & Katsuji.

WINNER:  John & Katsuji.  WINNER:  Katsuji.

WORST:  BJ & Silvia, and Brooke & Emily and Jim & Amanda  and Casey.

ELIMINATED:  BJ.

EPISODE #5:  Smoke 'Em If You Got "Em.

- Silvia's birthday.  (The Birthday Curse)

ARRIVED:  At Closed Kitchen & Alone.

-  They are left on their own.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  30 minutes   Create your own take on a biscuit.

GUEST JUDGE:  John Currence  Chef & Owner o Big Bad Breakfast. 

WORST:  Shirley, Sheldon & Jim.

BEST:  Brooke, Katsuji & Jamie.

WINNER:  Brooke.  has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  

GUEST JUDGE:  Rodney Scott, of Scott's Bar-B-Que.

- Work in teams to prepare a whole hog with vinegar or mustard based sauce and three sides.

- Sheldon  goes to the hospital for MRI on his back which he been complaining about.

YELLOW TEAM:  Emily, Sheldon, Brooke & John.

GREEN TEAM:  Katsuji, Silvia, Amanda & Sylva.

RED TEAM:   Jamie, Shirley, Casey, & Jim.

JUDGES TABLE:  

WINNER TEAM:  Yellow Team.  WINNER:  John.  

LOSER TEAM:  Green Team.  

ELIMINATED:  Silvia still the birthday curse exists.

EPISODE #6:  A Southern Legend.

GUEST JUDGE:  Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create Healthy vegetarian versions of traditional comfort dishes.  30 minutes.

WORST:  Casey, Silva, & Katsuji.

BEST:  Emily, Jamie & Brooke.

WINNER:  Jamie. has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  

GUEST JUDGE:  Alexander Smalls, Chef & Restaurateur of The Cecil.

                             Toni Tipton-Martin Award-Winning Author of The Jemima Code.

- Create a dish that pays homage to Edna Lewis.

ARRIVED AT:  Middleton Place, National Historic Landmark.

- Jamie didn't have enough plates lucky he had immunity.

JUDGES TABLE:

FAVORITES:  Jim, Silva & Sheldon.

WINNER:  Silva.

WORST:  Amanda, Emily & Brooke.

ELIMINATED:  Amanda.

EPISODE #7:  Booty

ARRIVED IN KITCHEN:  Earth,Water, Air, Fire.

GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Cimarusti, Chef & Owner of Providence

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish inspired by your  zodiac sign using your element. pantry.

- BEST:  Katsuji, Sheldon & Jamie.    WINNER:  Jamie.  has immunity.

WORST:  Jim, Silvia, & Emily.  SUDDEN DEATH COOK OFF:  20 minutes to cook Steak Tat-tar

- ELIMINATED:  Jim.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Work in teams to create dishes for a pirate party using treasure hunt ingredients.

- BLACK TEAM:  Brooke, Casey & Katsuji.  YELLOW TEAM:  Sheldon, Silva & Shirley.  

- RED TEAM:  John, Jamie & Emily.

JUDGES TABLE:  BEST TEAM:  Yellow.  WINNER:  Shirley.

LOSER TEAM Red & Black Teams.    Red Team Worst

ELIMINATED:  Jamie.  gave up his immunity.

EPISODE #8:  Restaurant Wars

ARRIVED:  Marian's in the French Quarter

GUEST JUDGES:  Daniel Humm, Chef & Owner of Eleven Madison Park,

                               Will Guidara, Restaurateur & Co-Owner of the above.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  work in teams to create a restaurant from the ground up.

Katsuji:  Sheldon, Casey, John.  - served on 2nd night.  Southern Belle.

Shirley:  Brooke, Silva, Emily.  - served on first night.  Latitude

JUDGES TABLE:

- WINNER:  Red Team.  WINNER:  Brooke.

- LOSER:  Blue Team.  

ELIMINATED:  Katsuji.

EPISODE #9:  For the Kids.

GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Voltaggio, Chef & Owner of Ink & Season#6 Winner.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Identify as many ingredients as possible while blindfolded in five minutes.

- NAME 3 FEWEST:  Emily, Silva & Shirley.

- NAME 3 BEST:  Brooke, Sheldon & Casey.

WINNER:  Brooke. 14 cases of wine.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish inspired by a childhood memory for the Music Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital Charity Gala.  

ARRIVED AT:  Kiawah Island  

JUDGES TABLE:

BEST:  Silva, Brooke & Sheldon.

- WINNER:  Silva.

3 WORST:  Emily, Shirley & Case,

ELIMINATED:  Emily.

EPISODE #10:  Shrimp Boats & Hat Ladies.

ARRIVED AT:  Shrimping Boats.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish featuring freshly caught shrimp in a sudden death  cook off

.

WINNER:  Sheldon.

LEAST FAVORITE:  Casey,  Shirley & Silva. will be compte in SUDDEN DEATH QUICKFIRE  Create a dish using the bycatch from shrimping.  30 minuters.

LEAST FAVORITE & ELIMINATED:  Casey.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  

GUEST JUDGE:  Dominique Ansel, Pastry Chef & Owner of Dominique Ansel Bakery.

- Create an original breakfast & lunch mashup dish for brunch.

JUDGES TABLE:  

TWO TOP:  Sheldon & Shirley.

- WINNER:  Shirley.

WORST:  John, Brook & Silva.

ELIMINATED:  Silva - last of the the Rookie.

EPISODE #11:  Adios Charleston, Hello James Beard

FINAL FOUR:  Sheldon, Brooke, Shirley & John.

LAST QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE in Charleston:

GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Solomonov, Chef & Owner of Zahav

- prepare a dish while simultaneously instructing a mystery partner to make the same dish.

- win $10,000.

- was their family member

-WINNER:  Sheldon & his wife.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  

GUEST JUDGE:  Mary Sue Milliken, Co-Chef & Owner of Border Grill Restaurants & Trucks.

- Create a dish representing your journey on Top Chef worthy of being served at the James Beard House.

JUDGES TABLE:  

2 BEST:  Shirley & Sheldon.

WINNER:  Sheldon.

TO BE ELIMINATED:  John or Brooke.

ELIMINATED:  Brooke.

EPISODE #12:  Cooking Away in Margaritaville.

FINALES:  Shirley, John, Sheldon.

ARRIVED AT:  Chivas Stadium.

GUEST JUDGE:  Francisco Ruano, Chef & Owner of Alcalde.

WHO MADE FROM LAST CHANCE KITCHEN:  Brooke.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish featuring GOAT to celebrate Guadalajara & Chivas.

FAVORITE DISH:  Brooke won $10,000. & an advantage.

Tequila

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish to pair with a unique MARGARITA featuring Patron Tequila.

JUDGES TABLE:  

WINNER:  Brooke Bottle of LTD Edition of Patron Tequila.

ELIMINATED:  John.

EPISODE #13:  Trail by Fire.

ARRIVED IN:  Riviera Maya, Mexico.  at Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya.

GUEST JUDGE:  Ricardo Munoz Zurita, Chef & Owner of Azul Historico.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  winner will win 6 days trip to Secrets Resorts.

- Create a dish featuring Habaneros & ingredients from the local market.

- WINNER:  Brooke.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  GUEST JUDGE:  Jeremiah Tower, Chef & Author.

- Create a dish using traditional Mayan ingredients & tools.

- WINNER - Shirley.

ELIMINATED:  Sheldon.

EPISODE #14:  Comida Final

Brooke vs. Shirley.

ARRIVED AT:  Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya.

FINAL ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a four-course progressive meal.

JUDGES TABLE:  

THE WINNER IS:  Brooke.

SEASON -12 - BOSTON - MEI.

PRIZES:  A Feature in Food & Wine magazine.
                 An appearance at The Classic in Aspen.
                 $125,000 Cash.

PLAYERS:  16 to start
1.  MICHAEL PATLAZHAN  Private Chef.                                      Brooklyn, NY
2.  KATSUJI TANABLE  Chef/Owner.                                             Beverly Hills, CA.
3.  MEI LIN  Sous Chef.                                                                    Los Angeles, CA.
4.  RON EYESTER  Chef/Owner.                                                     Atlanta, GA.
5.  AARON GRISSOM  Executive Chef.                                          N. Hollywood, CA.
6.  GEORGE PAGONIS  Executive Chef/Partner.                            Washington, D.C.
7.  JOY CRUMP  Executive Chef/Owner                                          Fredericksburg, VA.
8.  ADAM HARVEY  Sous Chef.                                                      New York City, NY
9.  KERIANN VON RAESFELD  Executive Chef.                          San Jose, CA.
10.  STACY COGSWELL  Executive Chef.                                      Boston, MASS.
11.   DOUG ADAMS  Sous Chef                                                       Portland, OR.
12.  REBECCA LaMALFA  Executive Chef                                      Chicago, ILL.
13.  GREGORY GOURDET  Executive Chef.                                   Portland, OR.
14.  KATIE WEINNER  Chef/Owner.                                                Salt Lake City, UT
15.  JAMES RIGATO  Executive Chef.                                              White Lake, MI.
16.  MELISSA KING  Private Chef.                                                   San Francisco, CA.

FIRST SUDDEN DEATH CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGE:  Richard Blais, Chef/Partner of Juniper & Ivy.
- speed - work in teams to compete 4 mise en place tasks.
-BLUE TEAM:  Michael, Mei, James & Katsuji.
- GREEN TEAM:  Doug, Adam, Aaron & KeriAnn.
YELLOW TEAM:  Ron, Stacy, Rebecca & Katie.
RED TEAM:  Melissa, Joy, George & Gregory.
- Green Team wins & Red lose.  George lowest time.
2N PART:  George vs. Gregory.
- Create a dish using any of the above ingredients.  George loses.
ELIMINATED:    George.  

FIRST ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
- Create an updated version of your very fist dish that you cooked.
JUDGES TABLE:
TOP 3:  Doug, Mei & Gregory.  WINNER:  Mei.
BOTTOM:  Katie, Michael & Katsuji.
ELIMINATED:  Michael.

EPISODE #2:  Boston's Bravest & Finest.       14 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Todd English,  Chef & REstaurateur.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a surf & dish depending on which lamp is lite.  1 by land & 2 by sea.

- WINNER:  James won $5,000 no immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGES:  The Commissioners of Boston - Bill Evan, Police & John Evans Interim Fire.
- Work in teams to create a dish for the men & women of Boston's police & fire departments.
- RED TEAM:  Katsuji, Katie & Mei.
YELLOW TEAM:  Joy, Ron & Melissa.
-GREEN TEAM:  KeriAnn, Aaron & Stacy.
- GRAY TEAM:  Doug & James.
-BLUE TEAM:  Rebecca, Adam & Gregory.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP TEAMS:  Red & Blue Teams.  WINNER:  Blue Team.
BOTTOM:  Yellow & Green Teams.
ELIMINATED:  Joy.  

EPISODE #3:  The Cruise of the Bambino                                      13 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Ming Tsai, Owner/Chef of Blue Ginger.
SUDDEN DEATH QUICKFIRE:  Create a dish highlighting tea.

TOP:  Melissa, Gregory, & Ron.  WINNER:  Gregory has immunity.

BOTTOM:  James, Aaron & Rebecca.  WORST:  Aaron.

- Aaron will now choose whom he want to go against in Sudden Death:  Katie.

- Aaron win & stays.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a fine dish using a ballpark snack.

JUDGES:  Hugh Acheson,
                  Richard Blaser.
                  Dennis Eckersley, Baseball Hall of Fame.
                  Dan Shaughnessy, Sport Columnist for Boston Globe.
TOP:  GRegory, Melissa & Katie.  WINNER:  Gregory, again.
BOTTOM:  Ron, Kerriann & Katsuji.
ELIMINATED:  Ron.

EPISODE #4:
GUEST JUDGE:  George Wendt, Actor of Cheers.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a tasty bar snack.
First Group:  Katie, Rebecca Stacy, Keriann, Aaron & Doug.
Second Group:  James, Adam, Katsuji, Melissa, & Gregory.
BOTTOM:  Gregory & James.
TOP:  Katsuji & Keriann.  WINNER:  Katsuji have immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Schlow, Chef/Restaurateur.
- Create a 3 course Italian menu.

DOUBLE ELIMINATION.
PURPLE GROUP:  Aaron, Gregory & Katsuji.
ORANGE TEAM:  Adam, Doug & Mei.
GRAY TEAM:  Melissa, James & Keriann.
BLUE TEAM:  Katie, Rebecca & Stacy.
SERVICE AT:  Via Matta,

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:   Purple  & Blue Team.  WINNER:  Purple.
BOTTOM:  Jame,s Stacy & Rebecca.
ELIMINATED:  Rebecca & James.

EPISODE #5:  It's a War.                                       10 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Jamie Bissonnette, Chef & Owner of Toro.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Battle an opponent in a Head to Head challenge using Reynolds Products.   Winner will get $10,000
- Katsuji vs. Aaron in Smoked Salmon.
- Doug vs. Adam  in Steamed Mussels.
- Kerriann vs. Stacy in Trout en Papillote.
- Melissa vs. Katie in Smoked BBQ.
- Mei vs. Gregory i Steamed Dumpling.
THE WINNERS ARE:  Katsuji, Doug, Keriann, Katie & Gregory.
WINNER:  Gregory. win the $10,000

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  The Winners (Blue) vs. the Losers (Red).
- Compete in a culinary war.

- Battle of Lexington:  Doug vs. Adam.  Adam won.
- Battle of Bunker Hill:  Katsuji vs. Melissa. Katsuji won.
- Battle of Trenton:  Gregory vs. Mei.  Gregory won.
- Battle of Sarolta:  Kerriann vs. Stacy.  Stacy won.
- Battle of Yorktown:  Katie vs. Aaron.  Katie won.
- Blue Team won.

JUDGES TABLE:
- Red Team lost.
BOTTOM:  Aaron, Melissa & Stacy.
ELIMINATED:  Aaron.

EPISODE #6:  The First Thanksgiving.         9 left.
- Tiffani Faison, Chef & Owner of Sweet Cheeks Q.  & Season 1.  arrived at the chef's "home".
- Took them to a Cranberry Farm.

CHALLENGE:  first 4 chefs to fill their basket with cranberry get an advantage.
- Katie, Adam, Gregory & Doug won.  Advantage: pick from the high end pantry.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a a dish that highlights the cranberry.
BOTTOM:  Katsuji, Adam & Stacy.
TOP:  Doug, Katie & Mei.
WINNER:  Katie have immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
ARRIVE AT:  Plimoth Plantation. (Plymouth)
GUEST JUDGES:  Ken Oringer, Chef & Restaurateur.
                               - Members from generations Colonists & Wampanoag tribe.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Doug, Mei & Katsuji.
WINNER:  Katsuji.
BOTTOM:  Stacy, Melissa & Gregory.
ELIMINATED:  Stacy.

EPISODE #7:  Restaurant Wars.                       8 left.
ARRIVED AT:  Theatre 1 - Space 57
GUEST JUDGE:  Barbara Lynch, Chef & Restaurateur.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create restaurants serving guests including Chase Sapphire Cardmembers.
GRAY TEAM:  Melissa, Doug, Mei & Adam.  (4 Pigs)
ORANGE TEAM:  Katie, Gregory, Katsuji, & Kerriann.  (Magellan).

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Gray Team.  WINNER:  Doug.
BOTTOM:  Orange Team.
ELIMINATED:  Kerriann - she did a lousy job as Front of the Kitchen.

EPISODE #8:  Clean-Up in Aisle 21!                    7 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Jasper White, Chef & Owner of Summer Shacks Restaurants.
SUDDEN DEATH QUICKFIRE:  Create an unique chowder.

TOP:  Adam, Gregory, Melissa.  WINNER:  Gregory - has immunity.
BOTTOM:  Doug, Katsuji, Mei & Katie.
LOSER:  Katie.
- must go against the past chefs &if she loses she is eliminated & the chef get to come back.
- she goes against George.
SUDDEN DEATH CHALLENGE:  Create a dish using rabbit.
- she lose.
ELIMINATED:  Katie.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish for 75 Top Chef  superfans & foodies.  The judges will do their shopping.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  George, Doug, & Gregory.   WINNER:  Doug.
BOTTOM:  Adam, Mei, & Melissa.
ELIMINATED:  Adam.

EPISODE #9:  Big Sausage.     6 left.
GUST JUDGE:  Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  in 1 hour Create an inventive sausage dish.
BOTTOM:  Melissa, & Gregory.
TOP:  Doug, & George.  WINNER:  George has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Tony Maws, Chef & Owner of Craigie on Main.
- Create a dish inspired by a famous New England literary work.

- Gregory - Edgar Allan Poe,
- Katsuji - Stephen King,
- George- Dr. Suess,
- Mei - Henry Thorne Thoreau,
- Melissa - Nathan Hawthorne
- Doug - Emily Dickinson.
COOKE AT:  Steel & Rye.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Mei, Melissa, Doug,  WINNER:  Mei.
BOTTOM:  Gregory & Katsuji.
ELIMINATED:  Katsuji.

EPISODE #10:  For Julia & Jacques.   5 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Andy Cohen, Host of Watch What Happens, LIVE.
                              Dave Ansel, Andy's College Roommate.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a RAMEN dish using ONLY dorm room ingredients from Emerson students.   No immunity but $5,000.

BOTTOM:  Mei & Doug.
TOP:  George, Gregory & Melissa.
WINNER:  Melissa  won $5,000.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
- the chefs are told to watch a video:  Watch Julia Child.
QUEST JUDGE:  Jacques Pepin, Award Winning Chef & Author.
- Create a dish that pays tribute to Julia Child.

COOK AT:  The Herb Lyceum at Gilsons.

JUDGES TABLE;
TOP:  Gregory & Mei.
WINNER:  Mei.
BOTTOM:  Melissa, Doug & George.
ELIMINATED:  Doug.

EPISODE #11:  Sous Your Daddy.                    4 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Ashley Christensen,  2014 James Beard Winner & Chef & Owner Poole's Diner.
- No QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create two dishes utilizing local seafood.  1 Appt & 1 Entree.
- the appt MUST be made by their Sous Chef or FAMILY MEMBER.
- no one will be eliminated.
- Stating Overnight at:  GLOUCESTER, MASS.

ARRIVED AT:  Island Creek Oysters.
COOK AT:  Lobster Pool Restaurant.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Mei & Melissa.
WINNER:  Melissa will advance to the final in Mexico.

EPISODE #12:  The Final Battle in Bean town.       4 left.
FINAL FOUR:  Gregory, Melissa, Mei & George.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a Boston worthy dish highlighting Beans.
GUEST JUDGE:  Wylie Dufresne, Chef & Restaurateur.
- WINNER:  Melissa - win  a trip to Napa Valley.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create an innovative dish that pushes culinary boundaries.
ARRIVED AT:  Catalyst Restaurant.

JUDGES TABLE:
-WINNER:  Melissa wins $10,000
- in finals:  Mei & Gregory.  in Mexico.
ELIMINATED:  George.

EPISODE #13:  Getting Prickly in Mexico.

ARRIVED IN:  Guanajuato, Mexico.
LAST CHANCE KITCHEN:  Winner:  Doug.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish highlighting Xoconostle (prickly pears)

GUEST JUDGE:  Enrique Olvera, Chef & Owner of Pujol.
- WINNER:  Doug has advantage i elimination challenge.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish inspired by an artist's piece of work.
- will get helpers from previous chefs.  Doug will choose first.
- Doug - Adam & Katsuji.  Artist:  Merry Calderoni.
- Melissa - George & James.  Artist:  Leonardo Diaz.
- Mei - Rebecca & Kerriann.  Artist:  Bea Aaronson.
- Gregory - Katie & Stacey.  Artist:  Artemio Sepulveda.

JUDGES TABLE:
- WINNER:  Doug. win his artist's work.
ELIMINATED:  Melissa.  ( I am sorry to see her go).  :(

EPISODE #14:  Holy Escamoly         3 left.
ARRIVED AT:  Jalpa City to an Organic Farm.
GUEST JUDGE:  Enrique Farjeat, Executive Chef of Hacienda Purísima de Jalpa.
LAST QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create sweet & savory dishes highlighting using Mexican Chocolate.

- WINNER:  Gregory will have first pick of sous chef.

LAST ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a 6-Course meal highlighting Mexican ingredients.
- Gregory picked George.
- Mei picked Melissa.
- Doug picked Katijsi.

JUDGES TABLE:
WINNER;  Gregory.
ELIMINATED:  Doug.

EPISODE #15:  Mano a Mano                      2 left.
ARRIVED AT:  a Hot Balloon.

FINAL ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create the 4 Course meal of your life.
- Gregory - picked Doug & George.  Cooked at Restaurant.
- Me - picked Melissa & Rebecca.  Cooked at Centanni Trattoria.

JUDGES TABLE:

THE WINNER IS:   MEI.