The WORST episodes of Top Chef

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

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: 11/17/2024Network: BravoStatus: Continuing
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Restaurant Wars
star
5.59
129 votes

#1 - Restaurant Wars

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/19/2006

For the quickfire challenge the contestants must make a gourmet sandwich. The winner doesn't get immunity but a sandwich on chef Tom Colicchio's menu at his new sandwich restaurant. For the Elimination Challenge the contestants are put into teams and have to basically create a restaurant and menu. The restaurants would be set up in two different rooms in the same building, both visible from the entrance. The menus will be displayed in the waiting area so the customers can choose which restaurant they want to eat at, then rate their dining experience.

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Gail's Bridal Shower
star
5.93
94 votes

#2 - Gail's Bridal Shower

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/10/2008

For the quickfire, chefs must identify ingredients in a dish. For the elimination challenge, the contestants cater a bridal shower for judge Gail Simmons.

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Reunion
star
6.13
8 votes

#3 - Reunion

Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired 10/10/2007

The cast and contestants get together to reminisce about the season and answer questions.

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Foo Fighters Thanksgiving
star
6.20
147 votes

#4 - Foo Fighters Thanksgiving

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/26/2008

For the quickfire, the chefs recreate dishes from the Top Chef cookbook. In the elimination challenge, they cook Thanksgiving dinner for the Foo Fighters at the band's tour stop in Syracuse, N.Y.

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star
6.31
86 votes

#5 - Big Sausage

Season 12 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/17/2014

The chefs prepare sausage. Later, they create dishes inspired by the literary work of notable New England authors, including Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. Appearing: NFL player Rob Gronkowski; chef Tony Maws; and editor Francis Lam.

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Latin Lunch
star
6.33
95 votes

#6 - Latin Lunch

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/18/2007

Timing is the theme for this round as the 11 remaining chefs are asked to be creative with a time-saving pastry and then serve lunch to clients on a tight schedule. Guest Judge: Maria Frumkin QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using a Frozen Pie Crust. Elimination Challenge: Cater a Latin Lunch for the Cast & Crew of Telemundo's Dame Chocolate.

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Napa's Finest
star
6.37
90 votes

#7 - Napa's Finest

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 5/3/2006

The four remaining contestants cook for some of Napa Valley's most respected chefs.

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star
6.48
86 votes

#8 - Holy Escamoly!

Season 12 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/4/2015

The chefs take a surprise trip to an organic farm, after which they create dishes featuring sweet and savory chocolate. Later, they must serve up a six-course progressive menu accented by different Mexican ingredients. Appearing: Richard Blais and Eduardo Palazuelos.

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The First Thanksgiving
star
6.62
91 votes

#9 - The First Thanksgiving

Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/19/2014

The chefs create dishes using the cranberry in a task that takes them to a countryside cranberry bog. Later, they must prepare a traditional Thanksgiving feast using tools, methods and ingredients found in the 1600s. Appearing: Tiffani Faison and Ken Oringer.

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Social Service
star
6.66
87 votes

#10 - 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.

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Wedding Bell Blues
star
6.67
97 votes

#11 - Wedding Bell Blues

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/26/2006

Teams compete for the chance to cater a commitment ceremony.

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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
star
6.72
85 votes

#13 - For Julia & Jacques

Season 12 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/7/2015

The chefs make ramen dishes using ingredients found in college dorm rooms. Later, food luminary Jacques Pepin tasks the contestants to prepare French dishes inspired by the techniques of Julia Child. Appearing: Andy Cohen; Dana Cowin; Alex Prud'homme; Barbara Lynch; Mary Dumont; and Joanne Chang.

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Bachelor/ette Party
star
6.74
100 votes

#14 - Bachelor/ette Party

Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/26/2009

The male chefs and the female chefs compete in a battle of the sexes in catering a poolside bachelor and bachelorette party.

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Dinner Party
star
6.75
96 votes

#15 - Dinner Party

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/7/2009

A slot machine determines the guidelines for the quick-fire challenge; the contestants prepare a special dinner for members of the Macy's Culinary Council.

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For the Gulf
star
6.79
217 votes

#16 - For the Gulf

Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/23/2011

The remaining meal mavens employ a deep fryer in an attempt to please culinary star Paula Deen's precise palate. Later, the chefs serve up seafood at an event that benefits fishermen of the Gulf region. Deen and chef John Besh are guest judges.

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star
6.80
85 votes

#17 - The Final Battle of Bean Town

Season 12 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/21/2015

Innovative bean dishes are created. Later, the culinary contestants serve up inventive fare that exemplifies the future of cooking, with the winner earning a guaranteed slot in the finals in Mexico. Appearing: Wylie Dufresne.

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Penn & Teller
star
6.82
102 votes

#18 - Penn & Teller

Season 6 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/23/2009

The contestants deconstruct a classic dish for magicians Penn & Teller. Chef Michelle Bernstein serves as a guest judge.

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Sunny Delights
star
6.82
121 votes

#19 - Sunny Delights

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/20/2007

Tonight's theme is sunshine, and first the contestants must use a product of that sunshine, citrus. Then they are asked to demonstrate their catering skills at an event which requires sunshine, a gourmet BBQ party. Guest Chef: Norman Van Aken QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using Florida Citrus Kingsford Elimination Challenge: Create an Upscale BBQ Dish

Watch Now:Apple TV
star
6.85
101 votes

#20 - Reunion

Season 9 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/7/2012

A reunion edition featuring the Season 9 chefs.

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12 Days of Christmas
star
6.89
120 votes

#21 - 12 Days of Christmas

Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/17/2008

Domestic guru Martha Stewart oversees the quick fire challenge in this holiday-themed edition. Then, actress Natasha Richardson is the guest judge when the cooks cater a Christmas cocktail party in which the proceeds go to the AIDS research.

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Watch What Happens
star
6.89
83 votes

#22 - Watch What Happens

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/25/2007

In a special episode, Bravo's Andy Cohen sits down with past and current contestants to explore their experiences in the competition

Watch Now:Apple TV
star
6.91
91 votes

#23 - Sous Your Daddy!

Season 12 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/14/2015

The chefs' family members pay surprise visits. In a twist, the family members must serve as sous chefs in a challenge that features the creation of one appetizer and one entrée.

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Farm Policy
star
6.92
286 votes

#24 - Farm Policy

Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/14/2010

Fresh is best tonight as the chefs gather crabs for the Quickfire, and then travel to a Virginia farm where its bounty will supply the ingredients for dinner.

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Finale (1)
star
6.92
63 votes

#25 - Finale (1)

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 5/14/2006

Part 1 of two. The tension boils over when the three remaining chefs journey to Las Vegas to compete in a room-service challenge. Chef Hubert Keller serves as a guest judge.

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