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The Best Episodes of Top Chef

Every episode of Top Chef ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Top Chef!

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An American reality competition show in which chefs compete against each other in culinary challenges and are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Top Chef Season 8 Episode 16 - Finale
    8.4/10(37 votes)

    #1 - Finale

    S8:E16

    The remaining two chefs have no time to digest what just happened as their final challenge is immediately announced. The 2 finalists choose their sous-chefs... blindfolded!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Top Chef Season 22 Episode 14 - Finito
    8.4/10(34 votes)

    #2 - Finito

    S22:E14

    For their last elimination challenge, the final three chefs must create the best progressive four-course meal of their lives; with the help of their sous chefs, the finalists must pull out all the stops to impress an esteemed table of diners.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Top Chef Season 6 Episode 13 - Culinary Olympics
    8.0/10(39 votes)

    #3 - Culinary Olympics

    S6:E13

    A challenge based on the Bocuse d'Or. Guest judges include Jerome Bocuse and Thomas Keller.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Top Chef Season 8 Episode 7 - Restaurant Wars: One Night Only
    8.0/10(40 votes)

    #4 - Restaurant Wars: One Night Only

    S8:E7

    Fish fillet contest; chefs must open ``one night only'' restaurants in New York City.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Top Chef Season 8 Episode 9 - Feeding Fallon
    8.0/10(38 votes)

    #5 - Feeding Fallon

    S8:E9

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Top Chef Season 8 Episode 12 - Give Me Your Huddled Masses
    8.0/10(31 votes)

    #6 - Give Me Your Huddled Masses

    S8:E12

    The chefs need to make something out of nothing; the contestants head to Ellis Island, where they must make a dish based on their heritage.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Top Chef

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  7. Top Chef Season 20 Episode 14 - Fin.
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #7 - Fin.

    S20:E14

    The finalists are on top of the world as they’ve made it to the finale in Paris. The final three will have the opportunity to cook the meal of their lives for Padma, Tom and Gail, along with a table of culinary luminaries. The guests include Marcus Samuelsson, May Chow, Daniela Soto-Innes, Clare Smyth, Simon Rogan, Ángel León, Food & Wine magazine’s Hunter Lewis, Michelin Guide’s International Director Gwendal Poullennec and “Top Chef France” Judge Hélène Darroze. The chefs lay it all on the table in their final challenge, but only one will take home the ultimate title of “Top Chef” World All-Star.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Top Chef Season 21 Episode 13 - Set Sail
    8.0/10(35 votes)

    #8 - Set Sail

    S21:E13

    The final four chefs arrive in Curaçao for their last Quickfire Challenge and must create a dish highlighting fish and cheese to impress Kristen, Tom, Gail and local guest judge Helim Smeulders. The chefs then set sail on Holland America Line’s Eurodam where they enjoy a meal prepared by chef and Fresh Fish Ambassador Morimoto. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are tasked with showcasing different preparation styles of fish. “Top Chef” alum Ed Lee joins Kristen, Tom and Gail at the judges’ table.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Top Chef Season 22 Episode 8 - Restaurant Wars
    8.0/10(43 votes)

    #9 - Restaurant Wars

    S22:E8

    There is no Quickfire as the chefs take on the famed Restaurant Wars elimination challenge; the chefs are tasked to create two restaurants; Kristen, Tom and Gail are joined by Top Chef alum Nina Compton and Top Chef Canada judge Janet Zuccarini.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Top Chef Season 6 Episode 14 - Finale (1)
    7.9/10(43 votes)

    #10 - Finale (1)

    S6:E14

    The final four chefs compete in Napa Valley to determine who will be the final three.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Top Chef Season 8 Episode 17 - Reunion Special
    7.9/10(25 votes)

    #11 - Reunion Special

    S8:E17

    No description available

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Top Chef Season 9 Episode 11 - Fit For an Evil Queen
    7.9/10(28 votes)

    #12 - Fit For an Evil Queen

    S9:E11

    The Quickfire is on the move, except it's the ingredients that are moving—by train. Next, the chefs must access the darkness inside of them when they are asked to create "evil" on a plate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Top Chef Season 17 Episode 13 - Parma
    7.9/10(38 votes)

    #13 - Parma

    S17:E13

    In the penultimate episode in the All Stars competition, the chefs are treated to a culinary dream trip to Parma, the legendary home of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma ham. After getting a behind the scenes tour of some traditional multi-generational factories of these exclusive products, the chefs must feature these ingredients in two courses and serve their dishes to a table of 16 Michelin stars. Pasta master, Chef Evan Funke, sits in as the guest judge along with Tom, Padma, Gail and a bevy of celebrated Italian super-star chefs. One chef is eliminated as only the top three will move on to the finale.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Top Chef Season 17 Episode 14 - Finito!
    7.9/10(43 votes)

    #14 - Finito!

    S17:E14

    In an epic Italian showdown, the final three All Stars cook the meal of their lives in an effort to take home the ultimate title and prize. To win, all they’ll need to impress not only the judges - Tom, Padma, Gail and Nilou Motamed, but also culinary superstars Mauro Colagreco, Clare Smyth, Marcus Samuelsson, Janice Wong, Tony Mantuano, Eighth Generation Italian Butcher Dario Cecchini and Food & Wine magazine’s Hunter Lewis. It’s a fight to the bitter end, but only one will be have their second chance to finally be crowned Top Chef.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Top Chef Season 20 Episode 5 - Holiday Vacation
    7.9/10(41 votes)

    #15 - Holiday Vacation

    S20:E5

    In this week’s extra-sweet Quickfire, the chefs are tasked with creating a celebratory dish featuring honey and mead in order to win over Padma and guest judge Adam Handling. Then, the chefs escape the city and head to the Kent countryside. The cheftestants create a festive family meal featuring their favorite holiday dishes for judges Padma, Tom and Gail, along with Top Chef Mexico judge Martha Ortiz.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Top Chef Season 20 Episode 7 - Hands Off
    7.9/10(46 votes)

    #16 - Hands Off

    S20:E7

    The chefs learn Gaggan Anand is the guest judge; they must create a dish inspired by an emoji and are tasked with creating a plate with a message that's visually stunning and can be eaten without utensils.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Top Chef Season 21 Episode 7 - Sausage Race
    7.9/10(39 votes)

    #17 - Sausage Race

    S21:E7

    Bryan Voltaggio joins Kristen for a two-part Quickfire Challenge testing the chefs' flambé and charring skills. Amar Santana heads to the kitchen with the famous Milwaukee Brewers Racing Sausages. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs divide into two teams and compete in a head-to-head race at American Family Field (home of the Brewers) where they'll serve sausage-forward dishes to a panel of experts, including former Brewer Ryan Braun and actress Brittany Snow.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Top Chef Season 22 Episode 1 - Across Canada, We Go!
    7.9/10(54 votes)

    #18 - Across Canada, We Go!

    S22:E1

    Several aspiring chefs compete for the coveted title of "Top Chef" while they creatively whip up a storm to escape elimination.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Top Chef Season 6 Episode 9 - Restaurant Wars
    7.8/10(37 votes)

    #19 - Restaurant Wars

    S6:E9

    Chef Rick Moonen's restaurant is taken over by the contestants and then he serves as their guest judge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Top Chef Season 9 Episode 1 - Everything's Bigger in Texas
    7.8/10(34 votes)

    #20 - Everything's Bigger in Texas

    S9:E1

    29 chefs gather at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, to compete for 16 slots in the 9th season of Top Chef. Tonight they are divided into three groups and must master their challenge to move forward. Some will know their fate immediately and receive a chef coat or be sent home. Others will be on the "bubble" and must compete and be judged again before they know their fates. Yes, it's bigger in Texas, but it's also hotter and harder, too. Group 1 Qualifying Challenge: Prepare a Dish Using One Cut of a Pig Group 2 Qualifying Challenge: Prepare a Dish Using the Same Ingredient

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Top Chef Season 17 Episode 5 - Bring Your Loved One to Work
    7.8/10(43 votes)

    #21 - Bring Your Loved One to Work

    S17:E5

    In the Quickfire, it’s a true test of communication as the chefs play a game of telephone with their loved ones as they try to reproduce the dish their family member is currently eating at a nearby restaurant. Then, the chefs are tasked with creating a signature product that they will bottle, use on a dish and sell at a food festival. They may get help from their visiting loved ones, but for one chef, the help won’t save them from being sent home. Celebrity Chef Nancy Silverton is the guest judge joining Tom, Padma and Gail.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Top Chef Season 20 Episode 9 - Restaurant Wars
    7.8/10(38 votes)

    #22 - Restaurant Wars

    S20:E9

    It’s Restaurant Wars, and this season, the perennial favorite is back with a twist! The chefs split into two teams of four and are tasked with creating a restaurant concept and tasting menu. To add to the pressure, they must debut their restaurants at three Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth, and the judges will have a full view of the kitchen. Unbeknown to the chefs, Jimi Famurewa, the Chief Restaurant Critic for the Evening Standard, is seated in the dining room and later joins Padma, Tom and Gail at the judges’ table.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Top Chef Season 20 Episode 11 - Battle of the Wellingtons
    7.8/10(35 votes)

    #23 - Battle of the Wellingtons

    S20:E11

    Coming into the final stretch before the finale. It’s full steam ahead as the remaining six chefs are tasked with creating a steamed dish for their Quickfire Challenge. In one of the hardest Elimination Challenges yet, the chefs are put in teams of two and must create not one, not two, but three different Wellingtons to serve 20 diners, along with Padma, Tom and Gail. The two chefs from the losing team will pack their knives.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Top Chef Season 21 Episode 11 - Lay It All on the Table
    7.8/10(35 votes)

    #24 - Lay It All on the Table

    S21:E11

    A familiar face returns to the competition from “Last Chance Kitchen.” In this week’s Quickfire challenge, the chefs must put their detective skills to work when Tom cooks up a dish that Kristen and Gail couldn’t resist and left little on the plate after tasting it. The chefs ask Tom a series of yes and no questions to determine what ingredients they need to recreate the dish. For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs leave it all on the table when they’re tasked with serving their creations directly on a tabletop to Kristen, Tom, Gail, and guest judge and two Michelin star chef Curtis Duffy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Top Chef Season 22 Episode 6 - Pickle Me This
    7.8/10(40 votes)

    #25 - Pickle Me This

    S22:E6

    Top Chef Masters alum Susur Lee and Jet Bent-Let join Kristen for the Quickfire Challenge, where the chefs must create a dish using a limited amount of ingredients; for the Elimination Challenge, the chefs must create dishes that highlight pickles.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Finale" is the best rated episode of "Top Chef". It scored 8.4/10 based on 37 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/30/2011. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Finito".