The BEST episodes of Top Chef season 2

Every episode of Top Chef season 2, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Top Chef season 2!

Top Chef is a reality show unlike any other while it searches for the world's next Top Chef. Each week this talented group of chefs, professionally trained and self-taught, will be challenged and judged by some of the best known chefs in the industry. Over the course of the season and endless challenges one chef a week is asked to "pack their knives and go" until there is only one left standing as the ultimate Top Chef.

Last Updated: 4/24/2024Network: BravoStatus: Continuing
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Finale (1)
star
8.01
86 votes

#1 - Finale (1)

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/24/2007

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.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Into the Fire
star
7.12
69 votes

#2 - Into the Fire

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/18/2006

Fifteen new contestants are introduced for Top Chef's second season in Los Angeles by new host Padma Lakshmi. Guest Judge: Harold Dieterle. QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using the Flambé Technique. Elimination Challenge: Create a Dish Using all Five Mystery Box Ingredients.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Eastern Promise
star
7.10
67 votes

#3 - Eastern Promise

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/25/2006

An Asian culinary theme runs through this episode's challenges. First the contestants put their own twists on sushi, then they work as teams to participate in a charity event. Guest Judge: Hiroshi Shima – QuickFire Challenge. Guest Judge: Ming Tsai – Elimination 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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Finale (2)
star
7.05
60 votes

#4 - Finale (2)

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/31/2007

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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Seven
star
7.05
62 votes

#5 - Seven

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/3/2007

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 – a hard task for the color-blind chef, then the contestants are "given" their inspiration for a theme to a star-studded dinner. Guest Judge: Ted Allen QuickFire & Elimination Guest Judge: Roberto Ivan Elimination QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using One Color. Elimination Challenge: Create a Seven Course Dinner Inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Food for the People
star
7.05
63 votes

#6 - Food for the People

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/1/2006

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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
The Raw and the Cooked
star
7.04
68 votes

#7 - The Raw and the Cooked

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/6/2006

This round's theme is all about working with limitations. The contestants must create a dish that is not cooked, and then adapt when they're asked to plan a dish without knowing the kitchen equipment 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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Holiday Spirit
star
7.04
69 votes

#8 - Holiday Spirit

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/13/2006

It's all a party when the contestants are asked to put their skills to work on both hors d'oeuvres and spirits. This round focuses on entertaining as the chefs are first asked to create an original drink accompanied by a small snack, then they 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 Bailey's Holiday Cocktail. Elimination Challenge: Cater a Hollywood Holiday Party.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Sense and Sensuality
star
7.03
62 votes

#9 - Sense and Sensuality

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/17/2007

The sensuality of food runs through this round's challenges as the five remaining chefs are asked to determine what they want the diner to experience and then create a dish that carries this through. First up is everything chocolate, then they must prepare a meal for couples who are all celebrating anniversaries. Guest Judge: Eric Ripert Nestlé Chocolatier QuickFire Challenge: Create a Sweet or Savory Dish using Nestlé Chocolatier. Elimination Challenge: Create a Romantic Dinner with Paired Wines.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Thanksgiving
star
6.99
68 votes

#10 - Thanksgiving

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/22/2006

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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Unhappy Customers
star
6.97
68 votes

#11 - Unhappy Customers

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/10/2007

This round's theme deals with vision and execution, challenging the chefs' to create original ideas that can also be achieved. First up is snack food limited by three condiments, then 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, then Execute It with Your Team.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Less is More
star
6.72
60 votes

#12 - Less is More

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/8/2006

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.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Social Service
star
6.66
87 votes

#13 - Social Service

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/15/2006

This round is all about leftovers and the chefs’ ability to be creative with difficult ingredients. They must make fine cuisine from truly disgusting fare, and then create a multi-course affair from only a restaurant’s refrigerated remains of 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.

Watch Now:Apple TV