The BEST episodes of Top Chef season 13

Every episode of Top Chef season 13, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Top Chef season 13!

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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Back Where It All Started
star
7.41
133 votes

#1 - Back Where It All Started

Season 13 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/3/2016

San Francisco is the setting when the competing foodies cook for chef Traci Des Jardins. Later, they try to wow master chef Hubert Keller, the judges and San Francisco culinary elite with cuisine inspired by the restaurant Fleur de Lys.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Magic Hour
star
7.40
139 votes

#2 - Magic Hour

Season 13 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/10/2016

The chefs land in Las Vegas and participate in a high-stakes challenge of cards and cuisine. Later, they must conjure culinary magic for illusionist David Copperfield.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Finale
star
7.36
140 votes

#3 - Finale

Season 13 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/17/2016

The top chef is crowned in the Season 13 finale. Before that, the final two culinarians must prepare the meal of their lives for their mentors and fallen colleagues. Appearing: Emeril Lagasse; Dominique Crenn; Jonathan Benno; Hubert Keller; Charlie Palmer; and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Restaurant Wars, Part 1
star
7.33
127 votes

#4 - Restaurant Wars, Part 1

Season 13 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/4/2016

Part 1 of 2. The iconic "Restaurant Wars" challenge ensues, with the chefs opening eateries for both lunch and dinner services.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Restaurant Wars, Part 2
star
7.33
127 votes

#5 - Restaurant Wars, Part 2

Season 13 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/11/2016

Conclusion. The "Restaurant Wars" challenge progresses with the chefs serving up dinner, during which everything from concept and food to service and consistency will be appraised.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Where's the Beef?
star
7.32
129 votes

#6 - Where's the Beef?

Season 13 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/28/2016

The chefs participate in a plating challenge by preparing visually appealing dishes using only snack food. Then, they cook for diners at a black-tie, finger-food event called Beefsteak. Appearing: Colin Hanks; Max Silvestri; Matt Selman; Jacques La Merde; and Neal Fraser.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Back in the Day
star
7.29
128 votes

#7 - Back in the Day

Season 13 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/21/2016

The chefs return to Los Angeles to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary. A restrictive challenge limits them to 10 ingredients, then they walk down memory lane by creating a dish that represents who they were 10 years ago. Appearing: Michael Voltaggio; Antonia Lofaso; Mei Lin Hua; and Nancy Silverton.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Hammer Time
star
7.20
138 votes

#8 - Hammer Time

Season 13 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/18/2016

The chefs land in the Bay Area and prepare fresh dishes for rapper MC Hammer. Later, they cook from important and influential international food eras. Foodie Jonathan Waxman makes an appearance.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Wok This Way
star
7.13
134 votes

#9 - Wok This Way

Season 13 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/25/2016

A showdown includes woks when the chefs visit San Francisco's Chinatown. Later, they must create a fast-casual restaurant concept. Foodies Martin Yan and Adam Fleischman make appearances.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Big Gay Wedding
star
7.08
134 votes

#10 - Big Gay Wedding

Season 13 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/7/2016

Top dishes for dates are served up by the chefs in Palm Springs, Cal. Later, they cater a wedding for 25 gay couples. Appearing: model Chrissy Teigen and foodie Art Smith.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Pop Up Pandemonium
star
7.07
160 votes

#11 - Pop Up Pandemonium

Season 13 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/3/2015

The foodies must open distinct pop-up restaurants in various Los Angeles neighborhoods. Appearing: chef and pop-up impresario Ludo Lefebvre.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Stop the Presses
star
7.06
173 votes

#12 - Stop the Presses

Season 13 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/2/2015

Top chefs arrive in Los Angeles in the opener of Season 13, which will feature the foodies competing in six cities across California. Here, they try to wow food critics and reporters under the Hollywood sign.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Banannaise
star
7.05
127 votes

#13 - Banannaise

Season 13 - Episode 6 - Aired 1/14/2016

The chefs head to San Diego and cook up high-end fish tacos. Then, they prepare dishes to complement handcrafted microbrews. Appearing: chef Javier Plascenia.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Spines and Vines
star
7.04
155 votes

#14 - Spines and Vines

Season 13 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/10/2015

The chefs visit Santa Barbara, where they pick up fresh sea urchin for use in a challenge. Later, a surf-and-turf war erupts.

Watch Now:Apple TV
It's a Dry Heat
star
7.03
131 votes

#15 - It's a Dry Heat

Season 13 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/17/2015

Palm Springs, Cal., is the destination for culinary competition. Here, the chefs use solar-powered stoves in the desert, then prepare dishes on a famed golf course. Appearing: John Besh and Mary Sue Milliken.

Watch Now:Apple TV