Top Chef — Season 5
Top Chef: New York is the fifth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in New York City, New York, and concluded in New Orleans, Louisiana. The season premiered on
About this season
Top Chef: New York is the fifth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in New York City, New York, and concluded in New Orleans, Louisiana. The season premiered on Bravo on November 12, 2008 and ended on March 4, 2009. The prize money awarded to the Top Chef was $100,000.
Episodes (15)
1. Melting Pot
Aired 12 November 2008 • 55 min
One chef is eliminated in a three-round quickfire involving apples. The remaining chefs create dishes representing the ethnic cuisines of several New York neighborhoods.
2. Show Your Craft
Aired 19 November 2008 • 42 min
After re-inventing the hot dog for the quickfire challenge, the chefs cook and serve lunch at Tom's flagship restaurant, Craft.
3. Foo Fighters Thanksgiving
Aired 26 November 2008 • 42 min
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.
4. Today Show
Aired 3 December 2008 • 42 min
After creating a breakfast amuse-bouche for the quickfire, the contestants compete in a live food demonstration challenge in order to earn a booking on "Today."
5. Gail's Bridal Shower
Aired 10 December 2008 • 55 min
For the quickfire, chefs must identify ingredients in a dish. For the elimination challenge, the contestants cater a bridal shower for judge Gail Simmons.
6. 12 Days of Christmas
Aired 17 December 2008 • 55 min
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.
7. Focus Group
Aired 7 January 2009 • 44 min
The chefs must create a sweet dish without using sugar (guest judge: chef and restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli). In the elimination challenge, chefs prepare a family-style meal for blind judging.
8. Down on the Farm
Aired 14 January 2009 • 44 min
Contestants shop for fresh ingredients at a farm and then create a dinner for the farm workers.
9. Restaurant Wars
Aired 21 January 2009 • 55 min
Two teams have 24 hours to design and open competing restaurants.
10. Super Bowl Chef Showdown
Aired 28 January 2009 • 55 min
A Super Bowl cook-off against seven all-stars from previous seasons.
11. Le Bernardin
Aired 4 February 2009 • 44 min
After a three-round fish filleting tournament, the contestants cook at Le Bernadin where their final product will be judged by chef Eric Ripert.
12. The Last Supper
Aired 11 February 2009 • 44 min
Wylie Dufresne judges a quickfire challenge of egg dishes. For the elimination challenge, the five remaining chefs each cook a "last supper" dish requested by a culinary superstar.
13. Finale, Part 1
Aired 18 February 2009 • 55 min
The season finale finds the chefs traveling from New York to New Orleans. While in the "Big Easy" they will be challenged to kick it up a notch when celebrity judge/chef Emeril Lagasse stops by to appraise their culinary skills.
14. Finale, Part 2
Aired 25 February 2009 • 44 min
Set in New Orleans, season 5 ends as the winning chef is revealed.
15. Watch What Happens Reunion
Aired 4 March 2009 • 44 min
Andy Cohen hosts a candid gathering of season five's chefs and judges.