The BEST episodes of Top Chef: Masters season 1

Every episode of Top Chef: Masters season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Top Chef: Masters season 1!

Bravo’s Top Chef Masters returns for a fifth season with 13 new award-winning chefs ready to compete for bragging rights, the title of ‘Top Chef Master’ and $100,000 for their charity. In a new twist this season, each Master will have his or her sous chef compete in an online competition, “Battle of the Sous Chefs,” hosted by Hugh Acheson. The results of each online episode directly impacts the Masters, awarding them advantages, such as immunity (the winner of each battle earns the Top Chef Master immunity), and sometimes, disadvantages, depending on their sous chef’s performance (the chefs who perform the worst always earn obstacles for their Top Chef Master). Every episode of “Battle of the Sous Chefs” leads up to the next episode of Top Chef Masters, and explores the uniquely interdependent relationship between a Master chef and his or her sous chef. Celebrity chef Curtis Stone is back as series host alongside new head critic Gail Simmons, with returning judges James Oseland, Ruth Reichl, and Francis Lam, and new judge, food and dining editor Lesley Suter. The chefs face off in some of the most difficult and unique challenges seen thus far -- and they’re serving up food for some top entertainers and celebrity guest judges including: Busy Philipps, Kathie Lee Gifford, Lindsay Price, the cast of Days Of our Lives, Ali Larter, the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba, LA Cult Favorites Lucha Va Voom among others. To date, Top Chef Masters has given over 1 million dollars to charities with this season increasing that total to over 1.25 million dollars. The series pits 13 world-renowned chefs against each other to see how well they fare in fierce culinary competition. Each week will whittle down the chefs until the finale where one winner is crowned “Top Chef Master” and receives the grand prize of $100,000 for their charity.

Last Updated: 4/25/2024Network: BravoStatus: Ended
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The Lost Supper
star
8.69
55 votes

#1 - The Lost Supper

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/17/2009

Top Chef season two's "Less is More" influences tonight's quickfire challenge, but there won't be any Cheetos in melted chocolate bars tonight as the next four chefs are asked to create an elegant amuse-bouche from vending machine fare. Then it's on to the elimination challenge where the show Lost acts the muse.

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Finale: Top Chef Master
star
8.00
23 votes

#2 - Finale: Top Chef Master

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/19/2009

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Offal Tasty
star
7.96
23 votes

#3 - Offal Tasty

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/24/2009

Tonight's quickfire challenge for the next group of four chefs comes from season four's "Seven", asking them to make a dish using color. Then they must sell upmarket street food using offal as the base ingredients.

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Masters of Disaster
star
7.80
15 votes

#4 - Masters of Disaster

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/12/2009

The four remaining chefs are challenge to identify ingredients blindfolded. Afterward, the chefs will be tested on their leadership talents and teaching skills when they cater an event.

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Champions Round Begins
star
7.60
20 votes

#5 - Champions Round Begins

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/29/2009

The top six chefs get a surprise as they prepare to cook their signature dishes.

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Trick in a Box
star
7.44
16 votes

#6 - Trick in a Box

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/22/2009

The chefs are challenged to create a dish using items found in only one aisle of the grocery store, Whole Foods, with each chef drawing knives to determine their aisle. However, they only have a budget of $20. The diners for this challenge are workers at Whole Foods. Then, the chefs are challenged to make a meal using ingredients one of their fellow chefs have chosen for them with each chef drawing knives to see who they get paired with.

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Miniaturize Me
star
7.38
21 votes

#7 - Miniaturize Me

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/15/2009

The chefs are challenged to turn classic junk food items into fine-dining cuisine. The cast of Flipping Out are the diners for this challenge. Then, the chefs are challenged to create a mini 3-course "meal" for 100 people, without any help whatsoever. The meal must be based on an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert.

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Dietary Restrictions
star
7.33
18 votes

#8 - Dietary Restrictions

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/5/2009

The five remaining chefs engage in a battle of burgers; guests actress Zooey Deschanel and filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.

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Magic Chef
star
7.29
21 votes

#9 - Magic Chef

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/8/2009

In the Quickfire, the four chefs take a page from season three's special "4 Star All Stars" when they find themselves manually challenged when they must cook an egg with one hand tied behind their backs- literally! Then it's on to a magically themed Elimination with Neil Patrick Harris as guest judge.

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Masters Get Schooled
star
6.85
68 votes

#10 - Masters Get Schooled

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/10/2009

In the premiere episode of "Top Chef Masters," Hubert Keller (Fleur de Lys), Christopher Lee (Aureole), Michael Schlow (Radius Restaurant), and Tim Love (The Lonesome Dove Western Bistro) are the first four chefs to draw knives and kick off a whole new level of culinary competition. The Master chefs are tasked with cooking dessert for a tough crowd of judges, Girl Scouts, and in the elimination challenge the acclaimed chefs must cook a three course meal in a college dorm room.

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