Where is airing: Bravo
For what age: 14+
How many episodes in 2 season: 13 episodes
New host Padma Lakshmi introduces fifteen new contestants for Top Chef's second season in Los Angeles. Guest Judge: Harold Dieterle. QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using the Flamb Technique. Elimination Challenge: Create a Dish Using all Five Mystery Box Ingredients. Round One.
An Asian culinary theme runs through this episode's challenges. First the contestants put their own twists on sushi, and then they work as teams to cook for a charity event. Guest Judge: Ming Tsai Elimination Challenge. Guest Judge: Hiroshi Shima QuickFire Challenge. QuickFire Challenge: Create a Sushi Dish in 30 Minutes. Elimination Challenge: Work as Two Teams to Create One Hot and One Cold Dish Using Flavors from Korea and Vietnam. Round Two.
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. T.G.I. Friday's Elimination Challenge: Create a Dish Updating a Childhood Classic. Round Three.
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 QuickFire Challenge: Create an Amuse-Bouche. Elimination Challenge: Create a Meal That Does not Exceed 500 Calories. Round Four.
This round is all about leftovers and the ability to be creative with difficult ingredients. The chefs must make fine cuisine from truly disgusting fare, and then create a multi-course menu from only a restaurant's refrigerated leavings from the night before. Guest Judge: Michelle Bernstein. QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish using "Offal," the Leftover Parts of Animals. Elimination Challenge: Create a Luncheon for Sixty Using the Leftovers from the Social Menu. Round Five.
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: Anthony Bourdain QuickFire Challenge: Create a Tasty Dish Using at Least Three Canned Ingredients. Elimination Challenge: Create a Thanksgiving Meal with a Twist. Round Six.
This round's theme is all about working with limitations. First the contestants must create a dish that is not cooked, and then they must plan a dish without knowing the kitchen equipment that will be available to them. Guest Judge: Raphael Lunetta QuickFire Challenge: Create an Entree Using Only Raw Food Without any Cooking. Elimination Challenge: Create a Gourmet Breakfast for Mystery Athletes. Round Seven.
It's all a party when the contestants are asked to put their shugs to work on both hors d'oeuvres and spirits. This round focuses on entertaining as the chefs are asked to create an original drink accompanied by a small snack, and then must change gears and cater a holiday event. Guest Judge: Kristin Woodward QuickFire Challenge Guest Judge: Lee Hefter Elimination Challenge QuickFire Challenge: Create an Original Baileys Holiday Cocktail. Elimination Challenge: Cater a Hollywood Holiday Party. Round Eight.
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 randomly drawn a hard task for the color-blind chef and then the contestants are "given" their inspiration for the theme to a star-studded dinner. Guest Judge: Ted Allen QuickFire & Elimination Guest Judge: Roberto Ivan Elimination Challenge QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using One Color. Elimination Challenge: Create a Seven Course Dinner Inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins. Round Nine.
This round's theme deals with vision and execution, challenging the chefs to create original concepts that can also be achieved. First the chefs must create a snack food using one of three Kraft condiments, and then it is on to this season's version of "Restaurant Wars". Guest Judge: Mike Yakura Kraft QuickFire Challenge: Create a Gourmet Snack Dish. Elimination Challenge: Create a Restaurant Concept & Menu, and Execute It with Your Team. Round Ten.
The sensuality of food is the focus of this round's challenges. The five remaining chefs are asked to determine what they want the diner to experience and then to create a dish that carries this off. First up is everything chocolate, then the chefs must prepare a meal for couples who are all celebrating anniversaries. Guest Judge: Eric Ripert Nestl Chocolatier QuickFire Challenge: Create a Sweet or Savory Dish using Nestl Chocolatier. Elimination Challenge: Create a Romantic Dinner with Paired Wines. Round Eleven.
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 QuickFire Challenge: There is none in this round. Elimination Challenge: Prepare a Birthday Luau, Reformulating Traditional Luau Fare into each Chef's Own Style. Round Twelve.
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. Round Thirteen,
