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The Best Episodes of Top Chef Season 3

Every episode of Top Chef Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Top Chef Season 3!

Binge this in 11h 26m•Peaking at 7.5/10

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
    Top Chef Season 3 Episode 1 - First Impressions
    7.5/10(53 votes)

    #1 - First Impressions

    S3:E1

    Getting to know each other is the theme for this first round. The new crop of fifteen chefs arrives in Miami, and then they are given two challenges – one with leftovers – to introduce themselves and their cooking to their fellow contestants and the judges. Guest Judge: Anthony Bourdain. QuickFire Challenge: Create an Amuse-Bouche in 10 Minutes Elimination Challenge: Create a Surf & Turf Dish Using Exotic Ingredients

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 2 - Sunny Delights
    6.8/10(46 votes)

    #2 - Sunny Delights

    S3:E2

    Tonight's theme is sunshine, and first the contestants must use a product of that sunshine, citrus. Then they are asked to demonstrate their catering skills at an event which requires sunshine, a gourmet BBQ party. Guest Chef: Norman Van Aken QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using Florida Citrus Kingsford Elimination Challenge: Create an Upscale BBQ Dish

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 3 - Family Favorites
    6.9/10(44 votes)

    #3 - Family Favorites

    S3:E3

    This week the remaining chefs must first catch fresh seafood, and then put a fresh twist on American dinner staples for members of the Miami Elks Club. Guest Judge: Alfred Portale QuickFire Challenge: Catch & Cook Shellfish Elimination Challenge: Update Classic Dishes into Modern Lower Cholesterol Meals

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 4 - Cooking by Numbers
    6.7/10(44 votes)

    #4 - Cooking by Numbers

    S3:E4

    The contestants mix it up with Bombay Sapphire mixologist Jamie Walker, and then ply their trade at a gastronomic society. Barton G. Weiss of Miami's Barton G. the Restaurant serves as guest judge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 5 - Latin Lunch
    6.8/10(46 votes)

    #5 - Latin Lunch

    S3:E5

    Timing is the theme for this round as the 11 remaining chefs are asked to be creative with a time-saving pastry and then serve lunch to clients on a tight schedule. Guest Judge: Maria Frumkin QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using a Frozen Pie Crust. Elimination Challenge: Cater a Latin Lunch for the Cast & Crew of Telemundo's Dame Chocolate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 6 - Watch What Happens
    6.9/10(42 votes)

    #6 - Watch What Happens

    S3:E6

    In a special episode, Bravo's Andy Cohen sits down with past and current contestants to explore their experiences in the competition

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 7 - Freezer Burn
    6.8/10(42 votes)

    #7 - Freezer Burn

    S3:E7

    The chef's taste buds are put to the test, and then they must "cook" for a frozen challenge. Rocco DiSpirito acts as guest judge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 8 - Guilty Pleasures
    6.8/10(41 votes)

    #8 - Guilty Pleasures

    S3:E8

    This round's theme is guilty pleasures. First the chefs must work with Summer's guilty institution, ice cream, and then they move on to Miami's night life, but there's a surprise in store for them. Guest Judge: Govind Armstrong QuickFire Challenge: Coldstone Creamery Mix-in Challenge (Create Original Mix-ins for Their Sweet Cream Flavor). Elimination Challenge: Create Late Night Bar food in a Mobile Kitchen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 9 - Restaurant Wars
    6.8/10(42 votes)

    #9 - Restaurant Wars

    S3:E9

    The chefs are told that they must create the perfect burger. Then, they must create a new restaurant concept, including a great menu. Chef Daniel Boulud is the guest judge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 10 - Second Helping
    6.9/10(45 votes)

    #10 - Second Helping

    S3:E10

    Chef Geoffrey Zakarian guest judges a relay race challenge. The chefs get another try at "Restaurant Wars," continued from last episode.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 11 - Chef Overboard
    6.8/10(43 votes)

    #11 - Chef Overboard

    S3:E11

    Chef Michael Schwartz helps to judge challenges that involve a cruise ship buffet and creativity in a grocery store.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 12 - Snacks on a Plane
    6.7/10(42 votes)

    #12 - Snacks on a Plane

    S3:E12

    Jimmy Canora guests on an episode that takes to the skies when the chefs take on the dreaded plane cuisine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 13 - Manhattan Project
    6.9/10(42 votes)

    #13 - Manhattan Project

    S3:E13

    Sirio Maccione guest judges a QuickFire where the chefs must recreate one of his dishes, then they must impress four more chefs, including Andre Soltner, in elimination.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 14 - Finale (1)
    7.3/10(41 votes)

    #14 - Finale (1)

    S3:E14

    The remaining chefs make the move to Aspen, Colorado for the semifinal and the decision of who the final two will be.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 15 - Finale (2)
    7.5/10(43 votes)

    #15 - Finale (2)

    S3:E15

    The Top Chef is chosen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Top Chef Season 3 Episode 16 - Reunion
    7.1/10(43 votes)

    #16 - Reunion

    S3:E16

    The cast and contestants get together to reminisce about the season and answer questions.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"First Impressions" is the best rated episode of "Top Chef" season 3. It scored 7.5/10 based on 53 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 6/13/2007. This episode is rated 0.7 points higher than the second-best, "Sunny Delights".