Top Chef: Las Vegas

Top Chef: Las Vegas
Release
Original release	August 19, 2009

The sixth season of American reality television series Top Chef was filmed first in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will conclude in Napa, California. The first episode premiered August 19, 2009 on Bravo.

Judges, guest judges, and special appearances

Permanent judges

• Tom Colicchio (Head Judge)
• Padma Lakshmi (Host)
• Gail Simmons (Judge)
• Toby Young (Judge) (Not present for Episodes 1-5)

Guest judges

• Wolfgang Puck (Ep 1 Elimination)
• Todd English (Ep 2 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Mark Peel (Ep 3 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Daniel Boulud (Ep 4 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Tim Love (Ep 5 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Michelle Bernstein (Ep 6 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Tyler Florence (Ep 7 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Charlie Palmer (Ep 8 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Rick Moonen (Ep 9 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Paul Bartolotta (Ep 10 Quickfire and Elimination)
• Natalie Portman (Ep 10 Elimination)

Contestants

There are 17 chefs competing in Season 6. Names, ages, and hometowns below are from the Bravo website. In the order eliminated:

Eliminated

• Jennifer (Jen) Zavala, 31 — Resides in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Eve Aronoff, 40 — Resides in: Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Preeti Mistry, 33 — Resides in: San Francisco, California
• Jesse Sandlin, 30 — Resides in: Baltimore, Maryland
• Hector Santiago, 41 — Resides in: Atlanta, Georgia (Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico)
• Mattin Noblia, 29 — Resides in: San Francisco, California (Hometown: Biarritz, France)
• Ron Duprat, 40 — Resides in: Hollywood, Florida and Naples, Florida (Hometown: Mare Rouge, Haiti)
• Ashley Merriman, 32 —Resides in: Seattle, Washington (Hometown: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire)
• Ash Fulk, 29 — Resides in: New York City (Hometown: Pleasant Hill, California)
• Laurine Wickett Hope, 38 — Resides in: San Francisco, California (Hometown: Rochester, New York)
• Mike Isabella, 34 — Resides in: Washington, D.C. (Hometown: North Jersey)

Remaining

• Jennifer Carroll, 33 — Resides in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Kevin Gillespie, 26 — Resides in: Atlanta, Georgia
• Eli Kirshtein, 25 — Resides in: Atlanta, Georgia
• Robin Leventhal, 43 — Resides in: Seattle, Washington (Hometown: Sun Valley, Idaho)
• Bryan Voltaggio, 33 — Resides in: Urbana, Maryland (Hometown: Frederick, Maryland)
• Michael Voltaggio, 30 — Resides in: Pasadena, California (Hometown: Frederick, Maryland)

Contestant progress

Episode	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	12	13	14	15
Quickfire Winner(s)	Robin Jennifer1	Michael	Jennifer	Kevin	Mike1	Robin	Kevin1	Eli1	Jennifer Kevin Laurine Mike	Kevin1
Bryan	IN	WIN	IN	WIN	WIN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	IN
Eli	IN	HIGH	HIGH	IN	IN	IN	LOW	IN	HIGH	HIGH
Jennifer	HIGH	IN (-)	IN	HIGH	IN	HIGH	WIN	HIGH	LOW	LOW
Kevin	WIN	IN (+)	HIGH	SAFE	IN	WIN	HIGH	WIN	LOW	WIN
Michael	IN	HIGH	WIN	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	WIN	HIGH
Robin	IN	IN (-)	IN	IN	LOW	IN	IN	LOW	HIGH	LOW
Mike	HIGH	IN (+)	LOW	HIGH	IN	IN	IN	IN	LOW	OUT
Laurine	IN	IN (-)	LOW	IN	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	LOW	OUT
Ash	IN	IN (+)	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	LOW	OUT
Ashley	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	HIGH	HIGH	OUT
Ron	HIGH	IN (+)	IN	IN	LOW	OUT
Mattin	IN	IN (+)	IN	LOW	OUT
Hector	LOW	HIGH	IN	OUT
Jesse	LOW	LOW	IN	OUT2
Preeti	IN	LOW	OUT
Eve	LOW	OUT
Jen	OUT

• Template:Fnb Did not have immunity.
• Template:Fnb Eliminated by placing last in the Quickfire Challenge.

  (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned Top Chef.

  (RUNNER-UP) Runner-Up of the season.

  (WIN) The chef won that episode's Elimination Challenge.

  (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win.

  (LOW) The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated.

  (OUT) The chef lost that week's Elimination Challenge and was out of the competition.

  (IN) The chef neither won nor lost that week's Elimination Challenge. They also were not up to be eliminated.

  [IN (+)] The chef won a pair or team challenge but was not chosen as one of the judges' favorites.

  [IN (-)] The chef lost a pair or team challenge but was not selected as one of the judges' least favorites.

  (SAFE) The chef was exempt from participating in that particular Elimination Challenge.

Episodes

Each episode includes two challenges. The Quickfire Challenge is a short, simple challenge with a varying reward each week; in the initial episodes of the season, it usually guarantees the winner immunity from being sent home that week; however, in the latter stages, the Quickfire winner is given an advantage in the upcoming Elimination Challenge. It also has been made clear that Quickfire winners this season may receive other rewards, including cash prizes. The Elimination Challenge is a more complex challenge that determines who goes home. One or more guest judges join the show each week to evaluate both the Quickfire and Elimination challenges. Each week's elimination is announced in a segment called "Judges' Table."

Episode 1: Sin City Vice

• Quickfire Challenge (Round 1): The 17 chefs are divided into four teams to compete in a mise en place relay race in which each member must perform one of four tasks: shuck 15 clams, peel 30 spot prawns, clean five lobsters, or butcher two chops from an entire prime rib. The chefs draw poker chips to determine their teams (black, blue, green, or red); a gold chip was drawn by Robin, exempting her from the Quickfire and giving her immunity in the Elimination Challenge. The first team to finish all four tasks wins the challenge.
  • Black Team (Mike, Ashley, Hector, Eli)
  • Blue Team (Jennifer, Bryan, Jesse, Mattin)
  • Green Team (Laurine, Ron, Ash, Jen)
  • Red Team (Kevin, Preeti, Eve, Michael)
    • WINNERS: Blue Team
• Quickfire Challenge (Round 2): Each member of the Blue Team is given 30 minutes to cook a dish using the ingredient they worked with in the relay race. The chef of the winning dish receives $15,000. Robin was given the choice to trade her immunity for a chance to compete, but declined.
  • Top: Jennifer, Jesse
  • Bottom: Bryan, Mattin
    • WINNER: Jennifer (Clam Ceviche with Citron Vinegar)
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create a dish to battle against the chefs in their teams from the Quickfire. The chefs are to cook a dish based on one of their personal "vices." Robin is given a choice of team, and elects to cook with the Blue Team. One member from each team will be in the running for a win and one from each team will be up for elimination.
  • WINNER: Kevin ("Procrastination": Arctic Char with Turnip Salsa Verde)
  • ELIMINATED: Jen ("Hot Temper": Chile Relleno stuffed with Seitan and Tomatillo Salsa)
• Guest Judge: Wolfgang Puck
• Original Airdate: August 19, 2009

Episode 2: Bachelor/Ette Party

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs each roll a pair of six-sided dice at a craps table in the Top Chef kitchen. They then have 30 minutes to create a dish with the number of ingredients they rolled on the dice (two through ten), not counting salt, pepper, and oil. This is another high-stakes Quickfire; the winner gets immunity from elimination and $15,000.
  • Top: Jennifer, Kevin, Michael
  • Bottom: Bryan, Eve, Jesse
    • WINNER: Michael (Nitro Gazpacho, Compressed Cucumbers and Toast)
• Elimination Challenge: In order to cater a bachelor/bachelorette party, the group is split between male and female for a battle of the sexes. The men prepare dishes for the bride-to-be, while the women cook for the prospective groom. A member of the winning team will be picked as the winner; a member of the losing team will be up for elimination. At least two dishes must be paired with each of the three cocktails the couple has chosen to serve their guests: Moscow Mule, tequila shots, or Golden Delicious (Goldschläger and sparkling apple cider). Each team is given $800 with 30 minutes to shop, two hours to prep, and one hour to set up their tables before poolside service the next day. The men are declared the winning team, thus one of the women must be eliminated.
  • WINNER: Bryan (Tequila shot: Sweet and Sour Macaroon Filled with Guacamole, Corn Nuts, and Corn Puree)
  • ELIMINATED: Eve (Tequila shot: Gulf Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche with Smokey Tomato Salsa and Popcorn)
• Guest Judge: Todd English
• Original Airdate: August 26, 2009

Episode 3: Thunderbirds

• Quickfire Challenge: Each chef must create an "out of this world" dish using an assortment of different potatoes. The winner gets immunity from elimination.
  • Top: Ash, Ashley, Jennifer
  • Bottom: Eli, Jesse, Ron
    • WINNER: Jennifer (Steamed Mussels, Yukon Gold and Blue Potatoes with Lemongrass Potato Sauce)
• Elimination Challenge: With limited time and supplies, the chefs must cater a meal for 300 airmen at Nellis Air Force Base. They all must work as one team, but they later decide to split up into smaller groups of two and make one dish each. Jennifer is appointed executive chef because she has immunity after winning the Quickfire. At Judges' Table, Mike is initially among the top chefs in the challenge, and then is asked to return with the bottom group, due to a poor second dish he was not required to make.
  • WINNER: Michael (Braised Pork Belly with Soy Mustard and Peanuts)
  • ELIMINATED: Preeti (Farfalle Pasta Salad with Roasted Red Peppers, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, Broccoli, Red Onion, and Red Wine Vinaigrette)
• Guest Judge: Mark Peel
• Original Airdate: September 2, 2009

Episode 4: Vivre Las Vegas

• Quickfire Challenge: As a tribute to the continuing popularity of French cuisine in the United States, each chef must create a dish using escargot. The winner gets immunity in the Elimination Challenge and a prize to be announced later, while the loser goes home. After announcing the bottom three dishes, the chefs who cooked them are each given a second chance to save themselves, with 20 minutes to do an amuse-bouche cook-off.
  • Top: Jennifer, Kevin, Mike
  • Bottom: Ashley, Jesse, Robin
    • WINNER: Kevin (Escargot Fricassee with Mushrooms, Brussels Sprouts and Candied Bacon Jam)
    • ELIMINATED: Jesse (Tuna Tartare with Sorrel, Gooseberries, Fried Quail Egg and Fried Bread)
• Elimination Challenge: Each chef draws a knife that shows either a traditional French sauce or a protein on it. The chefs then pair up each protein with its traditional sauce to create a six-course meal for a table of esteemed French chefs, including Hubert Keller, Jean Joho, Laurent Tourondel, Joël Robuchon. Kevin is also guest at the table (and exempt from this challenge), as his prize for winning the Quickfire.
  • First Course: Frogs' Legs (Ron) and Sauce Meunière (Robin)
  • Second Course: Trout (Bryan) and Sauce Béarnaise (Mike)
  • Third Course: Lobster (Laurine) and Sauce Américaine (Eli)
  • Fourth Course: Young Chicken (Ashley) and Sauce Velouté (Mattin)
  • Fifth Course: Rabbit (Michael) and Sauce Chasseur (Jennifer)
  • Sixth Course: Chateaubriand (Hector) and Sauce au Poivre (Ash)
    • WINNER: Bryan (Warm Cured Trout with Deconstructed Sauce Bearnaise and Pommes Soufflées)
    • ELIMINATED: Hector (Chateaubriand, Sauce au Poivre with Confit de Pommes and Spinach)
• Guest Judge: Daniel Boulud
• Original Airdate: September 9, 2009

Episode 5: Camping

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must cook a dish using a viewer-selected ingredient: cactus. This is a high-stakes quickfire with the winning chef receiving a $15,000 chip but no immunity.
  • Top: Laurine, Mattin, Mike
  • Bottom: Ash, Michael, Ron
    • WINNER: Mike (Cactus and Tuna Ceviche with Pipian)
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs must prepare a high-end lunch dish on an outdoor ranch for two-dozen cowboys, using fire pits and limited supplies.
  • WINNER: Bryan (Roasted Pork Loin over Corn Polenta with Dandelion Greens, and Glazed Rutabaga)
  • ELIMINATED: Mattin (Ceviche Three Ways: Salmon with Apple, Spicy Tuna, and Cod with Corn)
• Guest Judge: Tim Love
• First aired: September 16, 2009

Episode 6: Penn & Teller

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create two contrasting dishes, inspired by "the angel and the devil on their shoulder." The winner receives immunity in the Elimination Challenge.
  • Top: Eli, Michael, Robin
  • Bottom: Ash, Bryan, Laurine
    • WINNER: Robin (Apple Crisp vs. Raw Salad of Apple and Fennel)
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs are asked to deconstruct a classic recipe and re-imagine its components into their own signature dishes to be served at a meal for Penn & Teller.
  • WINNER: Kevin (Chicken Mole Negro: Chicken Croquette, Mexican Fig Coffee Jam, and Pumpkin Seed Romesco)
  • ELIMINATED: Ron (Paella: Seafood Paella w/ Lemon and Herb Oil, Chayote and Peas)
• Guest Judge: Michelle Bernstein
• Original Airdate: September 23, 2009

Episode 7: Dinner Party

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs use a slot machine to determine the themes (mood, taste/texture, and origin of cuisine) of their dish. The winner is given a choice between immunity or $15,000.
  • Top: Kevin, Michael, Mike
  • Bottom: Eli, Jennifer, Robin
    • WINNER: Kevin (Stressed, Hot and Spicy, Asian: Char-Grilled Pork with Vietnamese Herb Salad); Chose the $15,000 prize
• Elimination Challenge: Chefs are teamed up via a blind knife draw and receive market bags from dinner guests who are noted chefs. Working in teams of the two, they cook and serve a dinner at their house. Dinner guests are Tyler Florence, Nancy Silverton, Govind Armstrong, Takashi Yagihashi, and Tom Douglas.
  • Ash & Michael: Silverton's market bag. (Pancetta-Wrapped Halibut with Egg Yolk Ravioli, Asparagus and Fennel Salad)
  • Ashley & Eli: Armstrong's market bag. (Grilled Spot Prawns with Red Beet Crème Fraîche Sauce, Gnocchi and Kale)
  • Bryan & Laurine: Florence's market bag. (Halibut with Sherry-Chorizo Vinaigrette, Yellow Corn Cake and Avocado Mousse)
  • Jennifer & Kevin: Douglas's market bag. (BBQ Kobe Beef with Cardamom, Tomato and Ginger Broth)
  • Mike & Robin: Yagihashi's market bag. (Marinated Mushrooms and Pickled Asian Pear Roll with Seared Tuna and Scallop)
    • WINNER: Jennifer
    • ELIMINATED: Ashley
  • Winner's Prize: $10,000 gift card
• Guest Judge: Tyler Florence
• Original Airdate: October 7, 2009

Episode 8: Pigs & Pinot

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must make a dish incorporating a designated type and brand of crunchy snack foods.
  • Top: Bryan, Eli, Kevin
  • Bottom: Ash, Jennifer, Robin
    • WINNER: Eli (Warm Potato Clam Salad with Cold Fennel, Celery, and White Truffle Sauce)
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs are required to create a dish using a designated cut of pork, which they must pair with a self-chosen Pinot Noir as part of Chef Charlie Palmer’s annual Pigs & Pinot charity fundraiser. Cuts of pork are assigned by blind knife draw. Jennifer drew a "wildcard" knife, allowing her to select her cut.
  • WINNER: Kevin (Pork Leg Pâté with Mushroom Salad and Pickled Cherries; paired with 2006 Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Pinot Noir)
  • ELIMINATED: Ash (Chilled Pork Tenderloin with Cherry and Corn Salad; paired with 2007 Sanford Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir)
• Winner's Prize: An invitation to participate in the 2010 Pigs & Pinot event
• Guest Judge: Charlie Palmer
• Original Airdate: October 14, 2009

Episode 9: Restaurant Wars

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are required to team up four to four and compete in a tag-team cook-off, with Rick Moonen serving as a guest judge. First, a set of knives is presented for each chef to draw from; however, only two knives have messages: Jennifer draws "first choice" and Michael draws "second choice". Next, the teams are to decide what order they would cook in, but they are not allowed to communicate with each other in regards to the components of their dish. The teams have 40 minutes total (10 minutes individually) to alternate execution of the dish. The winning team is given a choice between splitting $10,000 between the group members or carrying it into the Elimination Challenge, where if their team wins, they will each receive $10,000. The winners will also receive a second advantage, announced later. The teams cooked in the following respective order:
  • First Choice Team: Jennifer, Laurine, Mike, Kevin (Sablefish with sautéed Mushrooms, Shiitake broth, and Radish Salad in Yuzu Vinaigrette)
  • Second Choice Team: Eli, Robin, Bryan, Michael (Pan-roasted New York Strip Steak with whipped Miso, Avocado purée, and pickled Vegetables)
    • WINNERS: Jennifer, Kevin, Laurine, and Mike; Chose to gamble prize on Elimination Challenge
• Elimination Challenge: Using the same teams as in the Quickfire Challenge, the chefs participate in "Restaurant Wars". Each team cooks and serves in one of Moonen's kitchens and dining rooms at his "rm" establishment. The winning Quickfire team is given their second reward: the choice of the kitchen; they choose the upstairs restaurant. Each team is given money to shop at both Whole Foods and Restaurant Depot. They are not responsible for the decor. Jennifer's team selects the name Mission for their restaurant, while Michael's team selects the name Revolt. Laurine and Eli were appointed as the front of house for their respective teams. At Judges' Table, Tom Colicchio deemed Team Revolt as the best restaurant in Restaurant Wars history.
  • WINNER: Michael of Team Revolt (Chicken and Calamari Pasta; Cod in Billi Bi Sauce)
  • ELIMINATED: Laurine of Team Mission (Lamb with Carrot Jam)
• Winner's Prize: Each member of the team received an autographed copy of Moonen's book. In addition, Michael received the $10,000 prize surrendered by the opposing team at Quickfire, which he split among his teammates (Bryan later refused his share.)
• Guest Judge: Rick Moonen
• Original Airdate: October 21, 2009

Episode 10: Meat Natalie

• Quickfire Challenge: Chefs pick television series by blind knife draw, and are to make a dish based upon the series.
  • Top: Bryan, Kevin
  • Bottom: Jennifer, Robin
    • WINNER: Kevin (Meatballs with Polenta, Roasted Cauliflower and Roasted Pear)
• Guest Judge: Paul Bartolotta
• Elimination Challenge: At Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak restaurant, the chefs must each prepare a vegetarian dish for Natalie Portman and her friends.
  • WINNER: Kevin (Duo of Mushrooms, Smoked Kale, Candied Garlic and Turnip Puree)
  • ELIMINATED: Mike (Whole Roasted Leeks with Onion Jus, Baby Carrot Puree, and Fingerling Potato)
• Guest Judges: Natalie Portman. Paul Bartolotta
• Original Airdate: October 28, 2009

Episode 11: Strip Around the World

The day begins with a QuickFire that tasks the chefs to create a perfect breakfast in bed.

• Guest judge: Nigella Lawson.
• Original Airdate: November 11, 2009

External links

• http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef Official Bravo TV site

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