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Top Chef: California

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Template:Infobox television season/custom Top Chef: California is the thirteenth season of the American reality television series Top Chef. The season was announced by Bravo on April 14, 2015.[1] Similar to Top Chef: Texas, filming took place in several locations across California, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Oakland, and the greater Palm Springs area, concluding with a finale in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1][2] Top Chef: California had a two-night premiere on December 2–3, 2015.[3] Host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Colicchio returned, alongside judges Gail Simmons, Emeril Lagasse, and Richard Blais, among others.[3] The companion web series, Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen, also returned, premiering immediately following the second part of the season premiere on December 3, 2015.[4][5] In the season finale, Jeremy Ford was declared the Top Chef, defeating Amar Santana.[6] Isaac Toups received the Fan Favorite Award.[7]

Contestants

17 chefs were selected to compete in Top Chef: California, including one returning contestant, Grayson Schmitz, who originally competed in Top Chef: Texas.

Name Hometown Current Residence Age
Karen Akunowicz Kearny, New Jersey Boston, Massachusetts 37
Angelina Bastidas Miami, Florida Miami, Florida 25
Carl Dooley Boston, Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts 30
Garret Fleming Rockford, Illinois Washington, D.C. 33
Jeremy Ford Jacksonville, Florida Miami, Florida 30
Renee Kelly Shawnee, Kansas Merriam, Kansas 34
Phillip Frankland Lee Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, California 28
Marjorie Meek-Bradley Ukiah, California Washington, D.C. 30
Kwame Onwuachi Bronx, New York Washington, D.C. 25
Amar Santana Queens, New York Orange County, California 33
Grayson Schmitz New Holstein, Wisconsin New York, New York 32
Jason Stratton Seattle, Washington Seattle, Washington 35
Frances Tariga-Weshnak Manila, Philippines New York, New York 33
Isaac Toups Rayne, Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana 36
Wesley True Mobile, Alabama Atlanta, Georgia 38
Giselle Wellman San Diego, California Los Angeles, California 31
Chad White Spokane, Washington San Diego, California 32

Contestant progress

No. Contestant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
No. Quickfire
Winner(s) 		Amar
Frances
Renee 		— Grayson Wesley Jason Chad Jeremy Karen — Isaac Marjorie1 Jeremy1 Jeremy4 —
1 Jeremy WIN IN HIGH WIN IN IN IN HIGH LOW LOW LOW WIN IN4 WINNER
2 Amar HIGH HIGH IN IN IN HIGH IN HIGH LOW WIN IN OUT3 WIN5 RUNNER-UP
3 Isaac IN HIGH IN IN IN LOW IN LOW WIN IN IN LOW OUT
Marjorie IN WIN IN IN IN IN WIN LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW OUT
5 Carl HIGH IN IN IN IN IN HIGH IN HIGH HIGH WIN OUT
6 Kwame IN IN WIN IN WIN HIGH LOW IN LOW HIGH OUT
7 Karen IN IN HIGH HIGH LOW WIN IN IN HIGH OUT
8 Phillip IN LOW IN IN LOW IN LOW WIN OUT
9 Chad IN IN IN IN IN IN HIGH OUT
10 Jason IN IN IN IN IN LOW OUT
11 Wesley IN IN LOW IN HIGH OUT
12 Angelina LOW HIGH LOW LOW IN OUT2
13 Giselle IN IN IN IN OUT
14 Grayson LOW LOW IN OUT
15 Frances IN LOW OUT
16 Renee IN OUT
17 Garret OUT

^Note 1 : The chef(s) did not receive immunity.
^Note 2 : Angelina lost the Sudden Death Quickfire Challenge against Wesley and was eliminated.
^Note 3 : Amar lost the Sudden Death Quickfire Challenge against Carl and was eliminated.
^Note 4 : As the winner of the Quickfire Challenge, Jeremy automatically advanced to the finale; therefore, he did not have to compete in the Elimination Challenge.
^Note 5 : Amar won Last Chance Kitchen and returned to the competition.

  (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 the Elimination Challenge.
  (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win.
  (IN) The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe.
  (LOW) The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated.
  (OUT) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge and was out of the competition.

Episodes

Main article: List of Top Chef episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air date
1891"Stop the Presses"December 2, 2015 (2015-12-02)
1902"Pop Up Pandemonium"December 3, 2015 (2015-12-03)
1913"Spines and Vines"December 10, 2015 (2015-12-10)
1924"It's a Dry Heat"December 17, 2015 (2015-12-17)
1935"Big Gay Wedding"January 7, 2016 (2016-01-07)
1946"Banannaise"January 14, 2016 (2016-01-14)
1957"Back in the Day"January 21, 2016 (2016-01-21)
1968"Where's the Beef?"January 28, 2016 (2016-01-28)
1979"Restaurant Wars, Part 1"February 4, 2016 (2016-02-04)
19810"Restaurant Wars, Part 2"February 11, 2016 (2016-02-11)
19911"Hammer Time"February 18, 2016 (2016-02-18)
20012"Wok This Way"February 25, 2016 (2016-02-25)
20113"Where It All Started"March 3, 2016 (2016-03-03)
20214"Magic Hour"March 10, 2016 (2016-03-10)
20315"Finale"March 17, 2016 (2016-03-17)

Last Chance Kitchen

The Last Chance Kitchen is a web series featuring challenges in which the ousted chefs compete for a chance to re-enter the main competition. Each week, two or more chefs compete against each other in the Top Chef kitchen, with the results judged solely by Tom Colicchio. The winner(s) of each week moves on to face the next eliminated Top Chef contestant(s), while the loser is eliminated from the competition for good. The champion of the Last Chance Kitchen returns to compete in the season finale.

Episodes

No. Title Original air date
1"Winning Out of Losing"December 3, 2015 (2015-12-03)

Challenge: The first two eliminated chefs had to create a winning dish using the ingredients from their opponent's losing dish.

  • Garret: Tofu with Coconut & Tea Braised Mustard Greens, Roasted Cashews & Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Renee: Pan Roasted Chicken, Sauteed Dandelion Greens & Crispy Poached Egg
    • Winner: Garret
2"Fresh Veggie Challenge"December 10, 2015 (2015-12-10)

Challenge: The chefs had to create a standout dish using one vegetable in its entirety and prepare it in three different ways. At least one of their preparations had to showcase Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing and seasoning mix. The amount of food waste the chefs produced from their dishes was also factored into judging.

  • Frances: Stir Fried Broccoli with Broccoli Purée, Dried Chiles & Pickled Broccoli Stems
  • Garret: Beet Greens with Pickled Beet Stems, Crème Fraîche Ranch Vinaigrette, Grilled Beets & Fried Beet Skins
    • Winner: Garret
3"Surprise Ingredients!"December 17, 2015 (2015-12-17)

Challenge: The chefs were forced to step outside their comfort zones by incorporating exotic ingredients into their dishes. Each contestant had to select two ingredients, which were packaged into mystery boxes, from a display; the chefs only learned about the identity of their ingredients once their designated cooking time started. Garret received tomatillos and crisp broad beans, while Grayson received coconut and Ginkgo nuts.

  • Garret: Broad Bean-Crusted Branzino with Melted Fennel, Chorizo & Tomatillo Salsa
  • Grayson: Pork Tenderloin with Sweet & Sour Coconut Shrimp, Fresh Herbs & Candied Ginkgo Nuts
    • Winner: Grayson
4"Decisions, Decisions, Decisions"January 7, 2016 (2016-01-07)

Challenge: The chefs were given 20 seconds to look at a display of various ingredients and conceptualize two different dishes that could be cooked in 20 minutes. Colicchio then selected which of their two ideas each contestant would have to create.

  • Giselle: Chicken, Summer Polenta with Corn & Tomato Salad
  • Grayson: Roasted Lamb with Fig & Port Wine Sauce & Aligot Potatoes
    • Winner: Grayson
5"A Delicious Burger"January 14, 2016 (2016-01-14)

Challenge: The chefs had 15 minutes to craft their best burgers.

  • Angelina: Beef & Pork Burger with Avocado, Heirloom Tomatoes, Pickled Habanero & Arugula
  • Grayson: Beef & Pork Belly Burger with Mushrooms, Pickled Red Onion & Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese
  • Wesley: Lamb Burger with Ras el Hanout, Goat Cheese & Fennel, Jalapeño Onion Slaw
    • Winner: Angelina
6"Boring Ingredients, Awesome Dish"January 21, 2016 (2016-01-21)

Challenge: The chefs had 30 minutes to create a tasty dish out of boring and bland ingredients.

  • Angelina: Teriyaki Shrimp with Potato & Onion Hash, Celery & Orange Salad
  • Jason: Teriyaki Salmon, Soft Cooked Egg, Broccoli & Sweet Potato Salad
    • Winner: Jason
7"Beef!"January 28, 2016 (2016-01-28)

Challenge: The chefs had 25 minutes to make a hearty beef dish. However, they were only allowed to use their knives for butchering and other prep work during the first five minutes of their allotted cooking time.

  • Chad: Beef Cheek with Huitlacoche Purée, No Bean Chili of Tongue & Cow Eye
  • Jason: "Chuletón" Bone in Ribeye, Grilled Onions & Braised Herbs
    • Winner: Jason
8"Only One Chef Can Call the Shots"February 11, 2016 (2016-02-11)

Challenge: The incoming contestant, Phillip, was told to set the terms of the challenge, including the main ingredient and time allotment. In the end, both chefs had to create a dish with sweetbreads in 20 minutes.

  • Jason: Fricassée of Poached & Pan Roasted Sweetbreads, Artichoke & Saffron
  • Phillip: Roasted Sweetbreads, Salmon Belly, Sweet Potato Chips, Shaved Apple & Radish with Yogurt, Ginger & Carrot Sauce
    • Winner: Jason
9"Teppanyaki Time!"February 18, 2016 (2016-02-18)

Challenge: The chefs had 10 minutes to prepare their ingredients and another 10 minutes to put on an entertaining show at a teppanyaki table.

  • Jason: Seared Wagyu New York Steak with Shiitake Mushroom, Asparagus & Quail Egg
  • Karen: Lobster Fried Rice with Quail Egg, Mushrooms & Asparagus
    • Winner: Jason
10"Breakfast, Baby!"February 25, 2016 (2016-02-25)

Challenge: The chefs had 15 minutes to create a standout breakfast dish.

  • Jason: Olive Oil Poached Deep Fried Egg with Migas
  • Kwame: Egg Bhurji, Brioche & Cilantro
    • Winner: Jason
11"San Francisco Staple"March 3, 2016 (2016-03-03)

Challenge: The chefs had 30 minutes to create a dish featuring sourdough. The top two contestants moved on to compete in the Last Chance Kitchen finale.

  • Amar: Beef Wellington with Grilled Asparagus, Red Wine Jus & Béarnaise Sauce
  • Carl: Green Apple & Green Tomato Gazpacho with Grilled Shrimp & Sourdough Croutons
  • Jason: Bruschetta with Smoked Salmon & Hazelnut Aigrelette, Artichoke Frittata & Shaved Radish
    • Winners: Amar and Carl
12"Fishy Finale"March 3, 2016 (2016-03-03)

Challenge: For their final Last Chance Kitchen challenge, the chefs had 12 minutes to cook any fish dish.

  • Amar: Crispy Loup de Mer with Onion Soubise & Yuzu Caper Brown Butter
  • Carl: Grilled Red Snapper with Apricot & Ginger Marmalade
    • Winner: Amar

References

  1. ^ a b "'Top Chef' Season 13 Is Heading To..." The Daily Dish. April 14, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  2. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (February 12, 2016). "Top Chef Will Roll the Dice in Las Vegas for a Two-Part Season Finale". The Daily Dish. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Bryant, Jacob (October 19, 2015). "'Top Chef' Sets Season 13 Premiere Date, Celebrity Guests". Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  4. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (October 19, 2015). "Top Chef Season 13 Kicks Off in December with Cameos from Chrissy Teigen and MC Hammer". The Daily Dish. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  5. ^ "Bravo Media's "Top Chef" Returns to Its Roots in California with a Two-Night Season Premiere Event on Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3". The Futon Critic. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  6. ^ "Jeremy Ford on Top Chef Win: "You Can Clearly Tell From My Expression It Was a Complete Surprise"". Miami New Times. March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "UPDATE: Isaac Toups wins Top Chef fan favorite". KATC. March 18, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
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