The BEST episodes of Top Chef season 9
Every episode of Top Chef season 9, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Top Chef season 9!
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.
#1 - Finale
Season 9 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/29/2012
Season 9 comes to a close with the final chefs commandeering a Vancouver restaurant, where they must cook up a four-course meal for the judges and some surprise guests.
Watch Now:Amazon
#2 - Everything's Bigger in Texas
Season 9 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/2/2011
29 chefs gather at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, to compete for 16 slots in the 9th season of Top Chef. Tonight they are divided into three groups and must master their challenge to move forward. Some will know their fate immediately and receive a chef coat or be sent home. Others will be on the "bubble" and must compete and be judged again before they know their fates. Yes, it's bigger in Texas, but it's also hotter and harder, too. Group 1 Qualifying Challenge: Prepare a Dish Using One Cut of a Pig Group 2 Qualifying Challenge: Prepare a Dish Using the Same Ingredient
Watch Now:Amazon#3 - Mentors
Season 9 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/8/2012
The blindfolded chefs must use senses other than sight to gather ingredients for a dish. In a twist, an eliminated cook then reenters the competition and does culinary battle with the remaining four chefs. Here, their cuisine must impress their mentors.
Watch Now:Amazon#4 - Fit For an Evil Queen
Season 9 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/18/2012
The chefs try not to go off the rails when they use various ingredients delivered to them by a train. Later, they create a gothic dish fit for a queen, yet the plate must embody the very essence of evil. Guest judge: Charlize Theron.
Watch Now:Amazon
#5 - The Heat Is On
Season 9 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/9/2011
Night two of heats for the coveted contestant spots starts with 10 competitors, 10 ingredients, and only five chef coats left. Once again, those who excel in the challenge get a coat immediately, and those who bomb are sent home. The remaining hopefuls on the "bubble" participate in a cook-off for the last coats against last week's four still waiting for their second chance. Also, tonight the first chefs are awarded an opportunity to get back into the race when they are sent to the sister series Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen.
Watch Now:Amazon
#6 - Higher Steaks
Season 9 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/7/2011
The chefs get saucy when creating a dish using a distinct sauce. Later, they sizzle and try not to fizzle when preparing steak and a four-course beef menu at an annual cattle-theme ball. Guest judge: chef Dean Fearing.
Watch Now:Amazon#7 - Block Party
Season 9 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/25/2012
The chefs race against time to finish prep work for a meal. Later, they serve up cuisine at a food-drive block party. Guest judge: Cat Cora.
Watch Now:Amazon#8 - Restaurant Wars
Season 9 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/11/2012
The still-standing chefs sharpen their knives for the time-honored fan-favorite "Restaurant Wars" test. The all-encompassing culinary challenge tasks them to create an eatery, from its signage and logos to its menus and meals.
Watch Now:Amazon#9 - BBQ Pit Wars
Season 9 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/4/2012
The chefs are charged with creating innovative fare that will impress precise palates. Later, the heat is on when they square off in an old-fashioned Texas-barbecue showdown. Technology maven and culinary author Nathan Myhrvold is the guest judge.
Watch Now:Amazon
#10 - Quinceanera
Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/16/2011
In a Quickfire with bite, the chef-testants must whip up a savory meal using rattlesnakes in the recipe. Later, they create a feast for a coming-of-age celebration. Johnny Hernandez is the guest judge.
Watch Now:Amazon#11 - Tribute Dinner
Season 9 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/21/2011
The chefs must adapt quickly when their cooking mashes up with social networking and they begin receiving dish notes via Twitter. Later, they will each be able to pay homage to an influential teacher when they are asked to create dishes in the teachers' honor.
#12 - Don't Be Tardy for the Dinner Party
Season 9 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/30/2011
The culinarians cook a meal using ingredients found inside a basic survival kit. Then, they visit an affluent Dallas neighborhood to serve up a sophisticated spread at a high-society dinner party. Guest judge: restaurateur and chef John Besh.
#13 - Red Hot Chili Cook Off
Season 9 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/23/2011
The heat is on when the chef-testants use hot peppers to create a spicy dish. Later, they visit a rodeo and participate in a chili cook-off. Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger are the guest judges.
#14 - Game On
Season 9 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/14/2011
The chefs cook up a dish that can nicely accompany tequila. Then, in a hunting-based test, they team up with famous culinarians and work with game. Guest judge: Tim Love.
#15 - Bike, Borrow & Steal
Season 9 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/1/2012
The chefs are charged with creating imaginative pancakes for Pee-wee Herman. Later, they hit the streets of San Antonio with a bike to gather ingredients for Pee-wee's big dinner party.
#16 - Culinary Games
Season 9 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/15/2012
The remaining four chefs arrive in British Columbia and wage culinary battle in Olympic-theme games. Cooking on a speeding gondola and grabbing ingredients in a biathlon are included.
#17 - Fire and Ice
Season 9 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/22/2012
A tag-team battle includes culinary support from Asian masters. Later, a fire-and-ice theme inspires the chefs when they concoct a dish and a cocktail.
#18 - Reunion
Season 9 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/7/2012
A reunion edition featuring the Season 9 chefs.