Top Chef
Season 2

s02e01 / Into the Fire

19th Oct '06 - 2:00am
Into the Fire Summary

New host Padma Lakshmi introduces fifteen new contestants for Top Chef's second season in Los Angeles.



Guest Judge: Harold Dieterle.



QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using the Flamb Technique.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Dish Using all Five Mystery Box Ingredients.



Round One.

465 have watched this episode

s02e02 / Eastern Promise

26th Oct '06 - 2:00am
Eastern Promise Summary

An Asian culinary theme runs through this episode's challenges. First the contestants put their own twists on sushi, and then they work as teams to cook for a charity event.



Guest Judge: Ming Tsai – Elimination Challenge.



Guest Judge: Hiroshi Shima – QuickFire Challenge.



QuickFire Challenge: Create a Sushi Dish in 30 Minutes.



Elimination Challenge: Work as Two Teams to Create One Hot and One Cold Dish Using Flavors from Korea and Vietnam.



Round Two.

466 have watched this episode

s02e03 / Food for the People

2nd Nov '06 - 3:00am
Food for the People Summary

The 13 remaining contestants are asked to make food for everyday people: beach goers and firemen.



Guest Judge: Stephen Bulgarelli.



QuickFire Challenge: Create an Original Ice Cream Flavor.



T.G.I. Friday's Elimination Challenge: Create a Dish Updating a Childhood Classic.



Round Three.

466 have watched this episode

s02e04 / Less is More

9th Nov '06 - 3:00am
Less is More Summary

Attention to detail will be rated during this round. The chefs are asked to create a tidbit from not so tidbit-y choices, and then must serve a meal to kids at a fitness camp.



Guest Judge: Suzanne Goin



QuickFire Challenge: Create an Amuse-Bouche.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Meal That Does not Exceed 500 Calories.



Round Four.

465 have watched this episode

s02e05 / Social Service

16th Nov '06 - 3:00am
Social Service Summary

This round is all about leftovers and the ability to be creative with difficult ingredients. The chefs must make fine cuisine from truly disgusting fare, and then create a multi-course menu from only a restaurant's refrigerated leavings from the night before.



Guest Judge: Michelle Bernstein.



QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish using "Offal," the Leftover Parts of Animals.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Luncheon for Sixty Using the Leftovers from the Social Menu.



Round Five.

465 have watched this episode

s02e06 / Thanksgiving

23rd Nov '06 - 3:00am
Thanksgiving Summary

Taking the traditional and turning it on its ear is tonight's theme. The chefs are asked to make canned food pretty, and then a smaller group must make a "cutting edge" Thanksgiving dinner.



Guest Judge: Anthony Bourdain



QuickFire Challenge: Create a Tasty Dish Using at Least Three Canned Ingredients.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Thanksgiving Meal with a Twist.



Round Six.

465 have watched this episode

s02e07 / The Raw and the Cooked

7th Dec '06 - 3:00am
The Raw and the Cooked Summary

This round's theme is all about working with limitations. First the contestants must create a dish that is not cooked, and then they must plan a dish without knowing the kitchen equipment that will be available to them.



Guest Judge: Raphael Lunetta



QuickFire Challenge: Create an Entree Using Only Raw Food Without any Cooking.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Gourmet Breakfast for Mystery Athletes.



Round Seven.

465 have watched this episode

s02e08 / Holiday Spirit

14th Dec '06 - 3:00am
Holiday Spirit Summary

It's all a party when the contestants are asked to put their skills to work on both hors d'oeuvres and spirits. This round focuses on entertaining as the chefs are asked to create an original drink accompanied by a small snack, and then must change gears and cater a holiday event.



Guest Judge: Kristin Woodward – QuickFire Challenge



Guest Judge: Lee Hefter – Elimination Challenge



QuickFire Challenge: Create an Original Baileys Holiday Cocktail.



Elimination Challenge: Cater a Hollywood Holiday Party.



Round Eight.

466 have watched this episode

s02e09 / Seven

4th Jan '07 - 3:00am
Seven Summary

Tonight's theme focuses on the chefs' creativity in using food as an expression of art. They first must create a dish using one color randomly drawn – a hard task for the color-blind chef – and then the contestants are "given" their inspiration for the theme to a star-studded dinner.



Guest Judge: Ted Allen – QuickFire & Elimination



Guest Judge: Roberto Ivan – Elimination Challenge



QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using One Color.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Seven Course Dinner Inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.



Round Nine.

465 have watched this episode

s02e10 / Unhappy Customers

11th Jan '07 - 3:00am
Unhappy Customers Summary

This round's theme deals with vision and execution, challenging the chefs to create original concepts that can also be achieved. First the chefs must create a snack food using one of three Kraft condiments, and then it is on to this season's version of "Restaurant Wars".



Guest Judge: Mike Yakura



Kraft QuickFire Challenge: Create a Gourmet Snack Dish.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Restaurant Concept & Menu, and Execute It with Your Team.



Round Ten.

465 have watched this episode

s02e11 / Sense and Sensuality

18th Jan '07 - 3:00am
Sense and Sensuality Summary

The sensuality of food is the focus of this round's challenges. The five remaining chefs are asked to determine what they want the diner to experience and then to create a dish that carries this off. First up is everything chocolate, then the chefs must prepare a meal for couples who are all celebrating anniversaries.



Guest Judge: Eric Ripert



Nestl Chocolatier QuickFire Challenge: Create a Sweet or Savory Dish using Nestl Chocolatier.



Elimination Challenge: Create a Romantic Dinner with Paired Wines.



Round Eleven.

465 have watched this episode

s02e12 / Finale (1)

25th Jan '07 - 3:00am
Finale (1) Summary

Location, location, location! The remaining chefs travel to Hawaii for this round, and must use food native to the island for a luau that ends with naming the final contestants.



Guest Judge: Alan Wong



QuickFire Challenge: There is none in this round.



Elimination Challenge: Prepare a Birthday Luau, Reformulating Traditional Luau Fare into each Chef's Own Style.



Round Twelve.

465 have watched this episode

s02e13 / Finale (2)

1st Feb '07 - 3:00am
Finale (2) Summary

The final two contestants battle for the title of "Top Chef."



Guest Judge: Hubert Keller



Final Challenge: Cook the Best Five Course Meal Each Chef has Ever Prepared in his Life.



Round Thirteen,

465 have watched this episode
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