Season 1

1. S01E01

   Who Deserves to Be Here

   2006-03-08

   In the first episode of the series we meet the 12 contestants. For the quickfire challenge they are tested in Fleur de Lys (a San Fransisco restaurant). For the elimination challenge each chef must make their specialty.

2. S01E02

   Food of Love

   2006-03-15

   For this episode the contestants have to impress Elizabeth Falkner the owner of Citizen Cake. For the elimination challenge the turn up the heat with a "Sexy Dessert" contest for a fetish party for Mistress S.

3. S01E03

   Nasty Delights

   2006-03-22

   For the quickfire challenge the contestants have to cook with octopus. For the elimination round the contestants are put into two teams: Red and Blue. They have to cook monk fish specialties for the kids at the Boys and Girls Club of America.

4. S01E04

   Food on the Fly

   2006-03-29

   For the quickfire challenge the contestants are brought to a convenience store to buy ingredients for their dish. For the elimination round the contestants must create a delicious entree that can be reheated in a microwave for women at a local Junior League.

5. S01E05

   Blind Confusion

   2006-04-05

   For the quickfire challenge, the contestants are brought into an isolated room with many random exotic foods. They have to guess what they are with a blindfold on. For the elimination challenge the contestants are put into pairs and have to make fusion dishes with Latin and one other type of cuisine.

6. S01E06

   Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

   2006-04-12

   For the quickfire challenge the contestants are put under some serious money restraints. They have to choose from ingredients that are put in front of them that are priced by the pound and can only spend up to three dollars, but all the food on the Top Chef pantry was free.

7. S01E07

   Restaurant Wars

   2006-04-19

   For the quickfire challenge the contestants must make a gourmet sandwich. The winner doesn't get immunity but a sandwich on chef Tom Colicchio's menu at his new sandwich restaurant. For the Elimination Challenge the contestants are put into teams and have to basically create a restaurant and menu. The restaurants would be set up in two different rooms in the same building, both visible from the entrance. The menus will be displayed in the waiting area so the customers can choose which restaurant they want to eat at, then rate their dining experience.

8. S01E08

   Wedding Bell Blues

   2006-04-26

   Teams compete for the chance to cater a commitment ceremony.

9. S01E09

   Napa's Finest

   2006-05-03

   The four remaining contestants cook for some of Napa Valley's most respected chefs.

10. S01E10

    Reunion

    2006-05-10

    Contestants reminisce about the competition.

11. S01E11

    Finale, Part 1

    2006-05-17

    Part 1 of two. The tension boils over when the three remaining chefs journey to Las Vegas to compete in a room-service challenge. Chef Hubert Keller serves as a guest judge.

12. S01E12

    Finale, Part 2

    2006-05-24

    The final two contestants compete in the last elimination round to see who will become Top Chef.

More from the 2000s.