Top Chef: Texas
Top Chef: Texas | |
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Release | |
Original release | November 2, 2011 |
Top Chef: Texas is the ninth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed in various cities in Texas, including San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin. The season is scheduled to premiere on Bravo on November 2, 2011. This season of Top Chef features a much larger number of contestants than any previous season; 29 chefs will take part in the competition.[1]
This season will also introduce a new competition to the series; in addition to the Quickfire and Elimination Challenges featured in televised episodes, the Last Chance Kitchen will allow eliminated contestants to compete head-to-head in a series of webisodes, with one eventually returning to the main competition. The webisodes are available on Bravo's website.[1]
Judges
- Tom Colicchio (Head Judge)
- Padma Lakshmi (Host)
- Gail Simmons (Judge)
- Emeril Lagasse (Judge)[1]
- Hugh Acheson (Judge)[1]
Colicchio, Lakshmi, and Simmons return to the show from previous seasons. Lagasse previously appeared as a guest judge in season 5. Acheson appeared as a contestant in season 3 of Top Chef: Masters.
Contestants
Twenty-nine chefs will compete in the ninth season of Top Chef:[1]
Eliminated in Qualifying Rounds:
- Tyler Stone, 22 — Personal Chef (Sacramento, CA)
- Colin Patterson, 37 — Sutra (Seattle, WA)
- Simon Pantet, 30 — Twenty-Two Doors (Seattle, WA)
- Nina Vicente, 29 — Spur Gastropub (Seattle, WA)
- Kimberly Calichio, 27 — Fishtail by David Burke (New York, NY)
- Chaz Brown, 29 — Fatty Crab (New York, NY)
- Jonathan Baltazar, 36 — Heights Cuisine (Long Beach, CA)
- Berenice deAraujo, 33 — Sra. Martinez (Miami, FL)
- Ashley Villaluz, 25 — Sous Chef (Seattle, WA)
- Molly Brandt, 30 — Allure of the Seas for Royal Caribbean (based in Hollywood, FL)
- Laurent Quenioux, 51 — Vertical Wine Bistro (Los Angeles, CA)
- Andrew Curren, 32 — 24 Diner (Austin, TX)
- Janine Falvo, 37 — Briza Restaurant (Atlanta, GA)
Top 16
Eliminated:
- Keith Rhodes, 39 — Catch Restaurants (Wilmington, NC)
- Richie Farina, 28 — MOTO (Chicago, IL)
- Chuy Valencia 25 — Chilam Balam (Chicago, IL)
Still in the running:
- Nyesha Arrington, 28 — Wilshire Restaurant; Resides in: Los Angeles, CA (Hometown: Los Angeles, CA)
- Lindsay Autry, 29 — Omphoy Ocean Resort & Michelle Bernstein (West Palm Beach, FL)
- Ty-Lör Boring, 34 — Spasso; Resides in: Brooklyn, NY (Hometown: Kansas City, MO)
- Chris Crary, 29 — Whist Restaurant in the Viceroy Hotel; Resides in: Los Angeles, CA (Hometown: Bucyrus, OH)
- Sarah Grueneberg, 29 — Spiaggia (Chicago, IL)
- Chris Jones, 30 — MOTO (Chicago, IL)
- Beverly Kim, 32 — Aria Restaurant (Chicago, IL)
- Edward Lee, 38 — 610 Magnolia (Louisville, KY)
- Whitney Otawka, 30 — Greyfield Inn (Cumberland Island, GA)
- Paul Qui, 31 — Uchiko Restaurant (Austin, TX)
- Grayson Schmitz, 28 — Exec. Chef (New York, NY)
- Heather Terhune, 39 — Sable Kitchen and Bar (Chicago, IL)
- Dakota Weiss, 35 — 9:30 Restaurant and The Backyard (Los Angeles, CA)
Contestant Progress
Qualifying Rounds
Contestant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Beverly | IN | |||
Chris C. | IN | |||
Chris J. | IN | |||
Chuy | IN | |||
Dakota | IN | |||
Edward | OTB | IN | ||
Grayson | OTB | IN | ||
Heather | IN | |||
Keith | IN | |||
Lindsay | IN | |||
Nyesha | IN | |||
Paul | IN | |||
Richie | IN | |||
Sarah | IN | |||
Ty-Lör | IN | |||
Whitney | IN | |||
Janine | OTB | OUT | ||
Andrew | OTB | OUT | ||
Laurent | OTB | OUT | ||
Molly | OTB | OUT | ||
Ashley | OUT | |||
Berenice | OUT | |||
Jonathan | OUT | |||
Chaz | OUT | |||
Kimberly | OUT | |||
Nina | OUT | |||
Simon | OUT | |||
Colin | OUT | |||
Tyler | OUT |
- (IN) The chef received a chef's jacket and moved on to the Top 16.
- (OTB) The chef was put "on the bubble" and asked to cook again for a spot in the Top 16.
- (OUT) The chef was eliminated in their semi-final round
Top 16 Progress
Contestant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quickfire Winner |
Dakota | Paul | ||||||||||||
Beverly | WIN | LOW | ||||||||||||
Chris C. | IN (-) | WIN | ||||||||||||
Chris J. | WIN | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Chuy | WIN | WIN | ||||||||||||
Dakota | IN (-) | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Edward | WIN | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Grayson | WIN | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Heather | WIN | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Lindsay | LOW | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Nyesha | IN (-) | LOW | ||||||||||||
Paul | WIN | IN (-) | WIN | |||||||||||
Sarah | LOW | WIN | ||||||||||||
Ty-Lör | LOW | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Whitney | IN (-) | IN (-) | ||||||||||||
Richie | WIN | OUT | ||||||||||||
Keith | OUT |
- (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned Top Chef.
- (RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for 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.
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 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: Everything's Bigger in Texas (Elimination Rounds One and Two)
- Qualifying Challenge #1: Create a feast with an entire pig, that has only been partially butchered. Each chef must use one part of the pig, with the group having collective responsibility to butcher down to their assigned cuts. Based on the results, each chef will either be in the Top 16, out of the competition, or placed "on the bubble" — asked to cook again for a second chance at earning a Top Chef coat. This challenge was judged by Tom, Padma, and Emeril.
- IN: Chris J. (Caramel Apple Stuffed with Braised Pork Belly and Sweet Applesauce), Sarah (Pig Skin Ravioli), Nyesha (Tex-Mex Pork Shoulder Ravioli), Heather (Maple & Citrus Glazed Baby Back Ribs with Bacon, Corn & Bleu Cheese Grits), Richie (Onion Soup with Braised and Crispy Pig Ears, Pickled Shallots and Frozen Parsley Powder)
- OUT: Tyler (Eliminated during preparation), Colin (spilled dish), Simon (Ham Roulade Stuffed with Fig Confit and Goat Cheese)
- ON THE BUBBLE: Molly (Smoked Sweet Potato Soup with Pork Cheek and Tequila Cilantro Lime Cream), Grayson (Haricot Vert with Toasted Hazelnuts and Mushroom Stuffed Tenderloin)
- Qualifying Challenge #2: Create a dish using a collectively-shared ingredient. The chefs choose rabbit. This challenge was judged by Tom, Padma, and Gail.
- IN: Whitney (Rabbit Sugo with Tomatoes, Shallots, Asparagus and Bacon), Keith (Seared Tenderloin, Chicken Fried Rabbit, Yukon Potato Hash, Braised Rabbit Confit), Dakota (Roast Rabbit Crépinettes with Bulgar Wheat), Ty-Lör (Confit Rabbit Leg With Pickled Cucumber and Tomatoes in Fish Sauce), Chris C. (Duo of Rabbit — Confit Leg and Butter Seared Tenderloin with Carrot Polenta), Chuy (Rabbit Loin with Cashew Pipian and Grilled Zucchini)
- OUT: Nina (Incomplete dish)
- ON THE BUBBLE: Edward (Butter Poached Rabbit with Butternut Squash Purée), Janine (Rabbit Nugget, Rabbit Rack and Rabbit Loin Saltimbocca with Mushroom Hash)
- Original Airdate: November 2, 2011
Episode 2: The Heat Is On (Elimination Rounds Three and Four)
- Qualifying Challenge #3: Chefs must each choose an ingredient from a provided assortment. Hidden from each chef is the fact that each ingredient also has an associated time limit of either 20 minutes (Andrew, Kim, Paul), 40 minutes (Berenice, Chaz, Jonathan, Laurent), or 60 minutes (Ashley, Beverly, Lindsay). This challenge was judged by Tom, Padma, and Hugh.
- IN: Paul (Grilled Trout with Southeast Asian Tomato Salad), Lindsay (Braised Veal, Creamy Polenta and Warm Salad), Beverly (Korean Style Octopus "Nakji Bohum")
- OUT: Kim (Lamb Chop with Kalamata Olives and Arugula), Chaz (No dish), Jonathan (Brussels Sprouts with Tomato Sofrito and Hazelnut Gremolata), Berenice (Asian Style Short Rib with Cabbage Slaw), Ashley (Braised Oxtail "Kare-Kare")
- ON THE BUBBLE: Andrew (Roasted Mushrooms with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Crispy Spinach and Poached Egg), Laurent (Duck with Lemon Yuzu Curd and Arugula)
- Final Cookoff: The last-chance qualifier for all the contestants on the bubble is a 45-minute challenge with no other restrictions. The final six chefs (Andrew, Edward, Grayson, Janine, Laurent, and Molly) may use any ingredients in the Top Chef kitchen to make a dish to get them into the competition. Tom, Padma, Hugh, and Emeril judged this last challenge.
- OUT: Molly (Jumbo Stuffed Prawn, Mousseline of Shrimp with Soy Glazed Watermelon and Rice), Laurent (Scallop Two Ways: Tartare & Seared on a Bed of Fennel with Saffron), Andrew (Mussels with Sherry, Fregula, Charred Corn Panna Cotta and Shrimp), Janine (Seared Scallop with Baby Clams, Bacon, Corn and Watermelon Garnish)
- IN: Edward (Duck with BBQ Sauce & Sweet Asian Custard), Grayson (Polenta with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp and Port Wine Fig Sauce)
- Original Airdate: November 9, 2011
Episode 3: Quinceañera
- Quickfire Challenge: Chefs must cook a dish using rattlesnake. The winner receives immunity and $5,000.
- Top: Beverly, Dakota, Sarah
- Bottom: Nyesha, Paul, Richie
- WINNER: Dakota (Beer-Battered Tempura Rattlesnake)
- Elimination Challenge: Cater a quinceañera with upscale Mexican food. The chefs are divided into two teams.
- Pink Team: Chris C., Dakota, Keith, Lindsay, Nyesha, Sarah, Ty-Lör, Whitney
- Green Team: Beverly, Chris J., Chuy, Edward, Grayson, Heather, Paul, Richie
- WINNERS: Green Team [Beverly (Beef Short Rib Asada), Chris J. (Green Chile, Mushroom and Oaxaca Enchiladas), Chuy (Braised Goat Birria), Edward (Tomatillo Gaspacho with Watermelon), Grayson (Chicken in Ancho Pepita Mole), Heather (Vanilla Tres Leches Cake), Paul (Shrimp Yuzu Ceviche), Richie (Tapioca Chicharron with Pork Carnitas)]
- ELIMINATED: Keith (Pork Tenderloin Huarcite and Enchiladas con Salsa Verde)
- Guest Judge: Johnny Hernandez
- Original Airdate: November 16, 2011
Episode 4: Red Hot Chili Cook-Off
- Quickfire Challenge: Create a dish using an assortment chiles, ranging from mild to hot on the Scoville scale. The winner receives immunity, as well as a cash prize associated to each ingredient. The hotter the chile used, the higher the possible prize.
- Top: Grayson, Heather, Paul
- Bottom: Beverly, Chuy, Richie
- WINNER: Paul (Chilled Coconut Soup with Kaffir Lime and Ghost Chile) [wins $20,000]
- Elimination Challenge #1: Participate in a Texas chili cook-off. The teams are randomly divided into five teams of three and have all night to cook. The dishes must be cooked at the house where the contestants reside rather than the Top Chef kitchen, which limits the cooking supplies available. Winners are selected by crowd vote.
- Red Team: Chris J., Dakota, Whitney
- Green Team: Chris C., Chuy, Sarah
- Blue Team: Edward, Heather, Paul
- Black Team: Beverly, Nyesha, Richie
- White Team: Grayson, Lindsay, Ty-Lör
- WINNER: Green Team (Chili Con Carne with Roasted Corn Salsa)
- Elimination Challenge #2: Upon being told they were the losing team, the members of the Black Team must compete against one another to rework their losing chili into a winning dish.
- ELIMINATED: Richie (Frito-Encrusted Pork Tenderloin, Potato Hash and Ricotta Cheese Chili Purée)
- Guest Judges: Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger
- Original Airdate: November 23, 2011
Last Chance Kitchen
Chefs sent to the Last Chance Kitchen have one additional chance to return to the main competition. The winner of each week's battle will cook against the next week's eliminated chef. The final winner will return to the show and compete in the finale.
Last Chance Kitchen Progress
Contestant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chuy | WIN | |||||||||||||
Keith | WIN | WIN | OUT | |||||||||||
Richie | OUT | |||||||||||||
Andrew | WIN | OUT | ||||||||||||
Janine | OUT |
- (WIN) The chef won that episode's Last Chance Kitchen Challenge and continues in the competition.
- (OUT) The chef lost that week's Last Chance Kitchen Challenge and is out of the competition.
Episode 1: Andrew vs. Janine
Head Judge Tom Colicchio meets with the last two contestants to be eliminated to tell them their Top Chef journey wasn't over yet: the Last Chance Kitchen is an online-only series of challenges in which the ousted chefs compete on BravoTV.com for a chance to get back into the competition. In this first challenge, the chefs are given 30 minutes to cook a pizza for Tom to judge.
- Andrew — Mediterranean Pizza with Anchovies, Capers, Fried Calamari and Arugula.
- Janine — Fig Pizza with Parmesan-Asiago, Soppressata, Arugula and Black Garlic.
- WINNER: Andrew
Episode 2: Andrew vs. Keith
In this challenge, the chefs were given 10 minutes to prep and cook a dish containing six provided ingredients, including clams, lemons, onions, and peppers.
- Andrew — Clams With Grilled Radicchio & Peperonata.
- Keith — Clam Ceviche With Lemon Zest & Steamed Clams With Pancetta.
- WINNER: Keith
Episode 3: Keith vs. Richie
The chefs are asked to prepare a dish using at least three ingredients provided from the leftovers of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
- Keith — Turkey and Sweet Corn Hash, Ham Fritter, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie Smear
- Richie — Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese Fritter and Cornbread Purée
- WINNER: Keith