In a fresh new season, Top Chef is turning up the heat on the Windy City. Fifteen new aspiring chefs converge in Chicago to whip up the competition in TV's ultimate cook-off as they compete for the title of Top Chef, the grand prize, $100,000, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and a gourmet dream vacation in the French Alps.
In the first episode, the chefs have to put their own twist on a Chicago staple and serve it to host Padma Lakshmi and guest judge Rocco in their new residence.
In the first episode, the chefs have to put their own twist on a Chicago staple and serve it to host Padma Lakshmi and guest judge Rocco in their new residence.
The chefs shop at a local Farmers' Market for fresh ingredients to create their perfect quick-fire dish - which must impress guest judge Wylie Dufresne.
The chefs shop at a local Farmers' Market for fresh ingredients to create their perfect quick-fire dish - which must impress guest judge Wylie Dufresne.
With the competition heating up, the chefs must step up their game. Guest judge Ming Tsai and host Padma Lakshmi put the chefs' palates to the test with a complex taste test.
With the competition heating up, the chefs must step up their game. Guest judge Ming Tsai and host Padma Lakshmi put the chefs' palates to the test with a complex taste test.
Can the chefs cut it...with speed? It's a culinary relay race in this week's quickfire challenge that requires expert shucking, chopping and whipping - putting the chefs' knife skills to the ultimate test.
Can the chefs cut it...with speed? It's a culinary relay race in this week's quickfire challenge that requires expert shucking, chopping and whipping - putting the chefs' knife skills to the ultimate test.
The chefs must bring sexy back - to the salad. They are challenged to reinvent the salad by making it sexier and more modern in the quick fire challenge.
The chefs must bring sexy back - to the salad. They are challenged to reinvent the salad by making it sexier and more modern in the quick fire challenge.
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. For the quick-fire challenge the chefs are forced to work the line at a busy, greasy spoon during breakfast rush, handling hundreds of orders.
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. For the quick-fire challenge the chefs are forced to work the line at a busy, greasy spoon during breakfast rush, handling hundreds of orders.
The chefs are given a slab of meat they must clean and butcher in their quick-fire challenge. Then, it's a blast from the past in the elimination challenge, and one chef is history.
The chefs are given a slab of meat they must clean and butcher in their quick-fire challenge. Then, it's a blast from the past in the elimination challenge, and one chef is history.
In a fresh new season, Top Chef is turning up the heat on the Windy City. Fifteen new aspiring chefs converge in Chicago to whip up the competition in TV's ultimate cook-off as they compete for the title of Top Chef, the grand prize, $100,000, a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at the Annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and a gourmet dream vacation in the French Alps.