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.
#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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.
#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.
#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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.
#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.
Watch Now:Apple TV
#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
#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.
#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.
