The second season of the American reality competition show Top Chef Masters

Top Chef Masters

Top Chef Masters is an American reality competition show currently broadcast on the cable television network Bravo. It is a spinoff of Bravo's hit show Top Chef. In the series, 24 world-renowned chefs compete against each other in weekly challenges...

was announced on October 22, 2009. In addition to the announcement, it was announced that Gail Simmons would be added as a critic. The season premiered on April 7, 2010 with 22 world-renowned chefs competing against each other in weekly challenges. In the season finale that premiered on June 9, 2010, Marcus Samuelsson

Marcus Samuelsson

Marcus Samuelsson is a Swedish chef and co-owner of Aquavit restaurant in New York City and C-House Restaurant, located in the Affinia Hotel in Chicago.-Early life and career:...

 was crowned Top Chef Master.

Critics

• Kelly Choi
  Kelly Choi
  Kelly Choi is the former host of Bravo TV's Top Chef spin-off, Top Chef Masters, which premiered on June 10, 2009...
  
   (Host)
• Gael Greene
  Gael Greene
  Gael Greene is an American restaurant critic, author and novelist. She became New York magazine's restaurant critic in fall, 1968 at a time when most New Yorkers were unsophisticated about food and there were few chefs anyone knew by name. She was a passionate early "foodie" before that word was...
  
   (Critic)
• James Oseland
  James Oseland
  James Oseland is an American food writer and magazine editor who lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He became the editor-in-chief of Saveur in 2006, after serving as the magazine's executive editor. Before Saveur, Oseland wrote for Food & Wine, Gourmet, and Time Out New York...
  
   (Critic)
• Jay Rayner
  Jay Rayner
  Jay Rayner is a British journalist, writer, broadcaster, and food critic.Rayner is the younger son of journalist Claire Rayner and Desmond Rayner, and attended the independent Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School. He joined The Observer newspaper after graduating from Leeds University in 1988 where...
  
   (Critic)
• Gail Simmons
  Gail Simmons
  Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer and television personality, and is the Special Projects Director with Food & Wine magazine...
  
   (Critic)

Master Contestants

22 chefs competed in Top Chef Masters. In elimination order the contestants were:

Episode 1

• Govind Armstrong
  Govind Armstrong
  Govind Armstrong is an American chef who specializes in California Cuisine. He has appeared on the Bravo series Top Chef as a guest judge as well as the Food Network series Iron Chef America as a contestant...
  
  — 8 oz Burger Bar (Los Angeles, Calif.)
• Jimmy Bradley — The Red Cat (New York, N.Y.)
• Jerry Traunfeld
  Jerry Traunfeld
  Jerry Traunfeld is an American chef and author, was the executive chef of The Herbfarm restaurant in Woodinville, Washington. He was the chef at The Herbfarm from July 1990 to November 2007...
  
  — Poppy (Seattle, Wash.)
• Ana Sortun — Oleana (Cambridge, Mass.)

Episode 2

• David Burke
  David Burke (chef)
  David Burke is an American chef and restaurateur, who grew up in Hazlet, New Jersey.-Culinary education:David Burke was educated at the Culinary Institute of America...
  
  — David Burke Townhouse (New York, N.Y.)
• Thierry Rautureau
  Thierry Rautureau
  Thierry Rautureau, nicknamed The Chef In The Hat, is the chef/owner of Rover's and Luc Restaurants in Seattle, Washington. Rautureau was born in the Muscadet region of France, apprenticed in Anjou, France, and at twenty moved to the United States to work at several fine restaurants...
  
  — Rover's (Seattle, Wash.)
• Monica Pope — t'afia (Houston, Texas)

Episode 3

• Mark Peel — The Tar Pit (Los Angeles, Calif.)
• Ludo Lefebvre
  Ludovic Lefebvre
  Ludo Lefebvre is a French chef. He received his training in restaurants in France beginning in adolescence and in his early twenties immigrated to the United States where he quickly earned recognition, making appearances on television in culinary shows and earning an award for one of the...
  
  — Ludo Bites (Los Angeles, Calif.)
• Graham Elliot Bowles
  Graham Elliot
  Graham Elliot Bowles , known professionally as Graham Elliot, is a Chicago, Illinois-based chef.-Personal life:Elliot was born in Seattle, Washington, as a self-described "Navy brat". He dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and started out in the food business as a dishwasher and bus boy for...
  
  — Graham Elliot Restaurant (Chicago, Ill.)
• Wylie Dufresne
  Wylie Dufresne
  Wylie Dufresne is the chef and owner of wd~50 restaurant in Manhattan. Dufresne is a leading American proponent of molecular gastronomy, the movement to incorporate science and new techniques in the preparation and presentation of food.-Early life:...
  
  — wd~50 (New York, N.Y.)

Episode 4

• Debbie Gold — The American Restaurant (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Rick Tramonto
  Rick Tramonto
  Richard Michael "Rick" Tramonto is a Chicago chef and cookbook author. He is executive chef and partner in Tru, a contemporary fine-dining restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.-Biography:...
  
  — TRU (Chicago, Ill.)
• Maria Hines — Tilth & Golden Beetle (Seattle, Wash.)

Champions' Round

• Carmen Gonzalez
  Carmen González
  Carmen González is a professional chef, restaurateur, and media personality.González grew up in the Puerto Rican coastal town of Aguadilla before moving on to the New York Restaurant School to pursue a culinary career...
  
  — Chef Consultant (New York, N.Y.)
• Jody Adams — Rialto Restaurant (Cambridge, Mass.)
• Tony Mantuano — Spiaggia (Chicago, Ill.)
• Susan Feniger
  Susan Feniger
  Susan Feniger is an award-winning American chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and radio and TV personality considered to be a leading authority on Latin cuisine in the United States.-Restaurants:...
  
  — Street (Los Angeles, Calif.)
• Jonathan Waxman
  Jonathan Waxman
  Jonathan Waxman is an American chef who was one of the pioneers of California cuisine and is credited with being the first to bring its style, fusing French cooking techniques with the freshest local ingredients, to New York....
  
  — Barbuto (New York, N.Y.)
• Rick Moonen
  Rick Moonen
  Rick Moonen is a celebrated seafood chef and an early champion of sustainable fishing practices.Moonen graduated first in his class from the Culinary Institute of America and then went on to work at New York City’s La Côte Basque, Le Cirque and The Water Club where he commanded the kitchen for six...
  
  — RM Seafood (Las Vegas, Nev.)
• Susur Lee
  Susur Lee
  Susur Lee is a celebrated chef based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was born in Hong Kong, the youngest of six children. He served his culinary apprenticeship at Hong Kong's renowned Peninsula Hotel. He immigrated to Canada in 1978, where he worked his way to executive chef status at a number of...
  
  — Madeline's (Toronto, Canada)

Preliminary Rounds

Episode	Winner(s)	2nd Place	3rd Place	4th Place	5th Place	6th Place
1	16½ Stars		15 Stars		12½ Stars
2	Carmen Gonzalez 15½ stars	14½ stars	Monica Pope 13 stars	Thierry Rautureau 11 stars	David Burke 10 stars
3	18½ stars	Rick Moonen 16 stars	Wylie Dufresne 14½ stars		Ludo Lefebvre 11 stars	Mark Peel 9½ stars
4	Susur Lee 19½ stars	14½ stars	Maria Hines 13½ stars	Rick Tramonto 13 stars	Debbie Gold 10½ stars

(QF WIN) The team or chef won that episode's Quickfire challenge.

(HS WIN) The chef won a High Stakes Quickfire and won a guaranteed spot in the Champions' Round.

Note: The chefs who received first and/or second place in the Preliminary Rounds move onto the Champions' Round.

Champions' Round

Episodes	5	6	7	8	9	Finale
Quickfire Winner	Rick Jonathan Susan Jody	Rick	Susan	Rick	Marcus	None
	LOW	LOW	HIGH	HIGH	WIN	WINNER	$115,000
Susur	IN	WIN	HIGH	LOW	HIGH		$20,000
Rick M.	IN	HIGH	LOW	WIN	LOW		$22,500
Jonathan	HIGH	LOW	LOW	LOW	OUT		$17,500
Susan	IN	IN	WIN	OUT			$32,500
Tony	IN	IN	OUT				$15,000
Jody	WIN	OUT					$17,500
Carmen	OUT						$10,000

Susur Lee and Rick Moonen tied for second with 17 stars each.

(WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned Top Chef: Master.

(RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season.

(WIN) The chef won that episode's elimination challenge.

(HIGH) The chef had one of the highest scores, but was not named the winner.

(IN) The chef was declared safe and wasn't eliminated, moved on in Champions' Round.

(LOW) The chef had one of the lowest scores, but was not eliminated.

(OUT) The chef lost that week's challenge and was eliminated.

Episodes

In each episode, the chefs compete to win money for their charity. The Elimination Round winners are awarded cash donations ($10,000) for their charities. For each of the first four episodes, five or six chefs compete out of the twenty-two and two chefs of their group move forward to the Champions Round.
Episode format:
Each episode consists of a Quickfire and an Elimination challenge. The Quickfire is a short, simple challenge that can vary from cooking, tasting or a food-related task (e.g., peeling a certain amount of apples to certain quality standard in a limited amount of time).
The Elimination challenge is a more complex challenge which usually requires cooking a meal for many people with certain requirements. The chefs are scored based on how well they execute in the Elimination and Quickfire challenges.
Scoring:
Unlike Season 1, where the Quickfire was scored on a scale of one to five stars, there are no stars won during the Quickfire, and instead, the winner(s) of the Quickfire will receive $5,000 for their charity or charities. The Elimination challenge is scored on a scale of one to of 20 stars (five stars given by the tasters, and fifteen given by the three critics). A chef can thus win a maximum of 20 stars. The two chefs with the most stars at the end of the Elimination challenge are considered the winners and move on to the Champions Round. The eight total winners then meet up for the final weeks when one person will be eliminated in each episode until the finale where one winner is crowned Top Chef Master. The winning chef receives $100,000 for his or her designated charity.

Episode 1: First Date Dinner

Ana Sortun, Govind Armstrong, Jerry Traunfeld, Jimmy Bradley, Susan Feniger, and Tony Mantuano are the first group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round.

• Quickfire Challenge: In teams of two, the Masters are challenged to create a dish using ingredients from a gas station in Chinatown.
  • Anna Sortun and Jerry Traunfeld (Crispy Rice Cake with "Clamesco" Sauce)
  • Govind Armstrong and Jimmy Bradley (Cheetos Macaroni with Grilled Slim Jims and Tomato Soup)
  • Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano (Maple Bread Pudding with Caramelized Bananas)
    • WINNERS: Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano
• Elimination Challenge: Love is in the air as the Masters (still in their teams) are challenged to evoke their sensual side using known aphrodisiac ingredients in the creation of a sumptuous meal to suit couples on a first date.
  • Anna Sortun and Jerry Traunfeld (Duck Leg in Vermicelli with Orange Blossom Smoked Cinnamon Almonds; Lavender Duck Breast with Red Cabbage, Pomegranate and Beets)
  • Govind Armstrong and Jimmy Bradley (Seared Lamb Carpaccio; Seared Lamb Carpaccio with Baby Arugula and Herb Salad)
  • Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano (Black Pepper Shrimp and Scallop; Homemade Pasta with Cheese, Mushrooms and Truffles)
    • WINNERS: Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano (16½ Stars)
    • ELIMINATED:
      • Ana Sortun and Jerry Traundfeld (15 Stars)
      • Govind Armstrong and Jimmy Bradley (12½ Stars)

Episode 2: It's My Party

Carmen Gonzalez, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Monica Pope, and Thierry Rautureau are the second group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round.

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must put a twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich.
  • Carmen Gonzalez (Italian Baguette with Manchego, Garlic, Cilantro and Lime)
  • David Burke (Triple Cream Cheese with Prosciutto, Almonds, Tomato and Rosemary)
  • Marcus Samuelsson (Grilled Gruyere and Cheddar with Gazpacho and Salad)
  • Monica Pope (Feta Cheese on Raisin Nut Bread with Basil, Cilantro and Mint Salad)
  • Thierry Rautureau (Grilled Taleggio and Goat Cheese with Olives, Harissa and a Pear, Pine Nut, and Baby Arugula Salad)
    • WINNER: Monica Pope
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create a "soul food" inspired dish for Mekhi Phifer
  Mekhi Phifer
  Mekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his multi-year role as Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama ER and his co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile...
  
  's birthday party.
  • Carmen Gonzalez (Oyster and Hot Sausage Stew with Cilantro)
  • David Burke (Sweet Potato Custard with Green Beans, Corn and Crab BBQ, Pickled Watermelon Rind and Hush Puppies)
  • Marcus Samuelsson (BBQ Chicken with Mac & Cheese and Collard Greens)
  • Monica Pope (Shrimp and Grits, Mac and Cheese Style with Smokin' Okra, Pickled Green Beans and Tomato Jam)
  • Thierry Rautureau (Moroccan Spiced Pork Shoulder, Farro, Roasted Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprout Slaw)
    • WINNERS: Carmen Gonzalez (15½ stars) and Marcus Samuelsson (14½ stars)
    • ELIMINATED:
      • Monica Pope (13 stars)
      • Thierry Rautureau (11 stars)
      • David Burke (10 stars)

Episode 3: Pub Food

Season 1 Veterans Graham Elliot Bowles, Jonathan Waxman, Ludo Lefevbre, Mark Peel, Rick Moonen, and Wylie Dufresne are the third group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round.

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create a dish to pair with a Stolichnaya Vodka
  Stolichnaya
  -Description:Fermentation of Stolichnaya starts with wheat and rye grains and artesial water from the Russian city of Samara and the Kaliningrad region. The fermentation takes about 60 hours. Once fermentation is complete the resulting liquid is distilled four times to a strength of 96.4% ABV....
  
   cocktail.
  • Graham Elliot Bowles (Crudo of Black Cod with Edamame and Red Onion Salad) (paired with Coriander Mule)
  • Jonathan Waxman (Pork Tenderloin and Poblano Stuffed Shrimp with Avocado Butter) (paired with Lemongrass Mojito)
  • Ludo Lefebvre (Roasted Pork Chop with Rosemary, Thyme, and Garlic) (paired with Nutmeg Applik Mojito)
  • Mark Peel (Mussel Custard with Kaffir Lime and Figs) (paired with Ginger Figgle)
  • Rick Moonen (Cream Biscuit Berry Shortcake) (paired with Forest Fruits)
  • Wylie Dufresne (Arctic Char with Lentils, Bacon, Crispy Potatoes, and Lemon Yogurt) (paired with Russian Tea Room)
    • WINNER: Jonathan Waxman
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs are challenged to create an upscale version of traditional pub food.
  • Graham Elliot Bowles (Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Chanterelle Puree, and Bacon-Kidney Vinaigrette) -- Steak and Kidney Pie
  • Jonathan Waxman (Lamb, Mashed Potatoes, and Parmesan Cheese) -- Shepherd's Pie
  • Ludo Lefebvre (Beef Tenderloin, Potatoes Confit, Roasted Peanuts with Miso, and Guinness Caramel) -- Irish Stew
  • Mark Peel (Seafood Sausage, Onion Sauce with Lobster Broth, and Mustard Greens) -- Toad in a Hole
  • Rick Moonen (Chicken Fried Sable, Lemon Confit Tartar Sauce, Twice Fried Potatoes, and Fennel Slaw) -- Fish & Chips
  • Wylie Dufresne (Bangers, Smoked Mashed Potatoes, Onion Jus, and Snow Peas) -- Bangers & Mash
    • WINNERS: Jonathan Waxman (18½ stars) and Rick Moonen (16 stars)
    • ELIMINATED:
      • Wylie Dufresne (14½ stars)
      • Graham Elliot Bowles (13½ stars)
      • Ludo Lefebvre (11 stars)
      • Mark Peel (9½ stars)

Episode 4: Cast and Crew Meal

Debbie Gold, Jody Adams, Maria Hines, Rick Tramonto, and Susur Lee are the fourth and final group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round.

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create a perfectly styled fruit plate presentation. In addition, this Quickfire was a High Stakes Quickfire, so the winner of this Quickfire was guaranteed a spot in the Champion's Round, regardless of how that chef did in the Elimination Challenge.
  • Debbie Gold (Pecan Tempura Stuffed Fig with Persimmon and Tangerine) - 3½ stars
  • Jody Adams (Fig and Walnut Tart with Pomegranate Syrup and Zabaglione
    Zabaglione
    Zabaione , is an Italian dessert made with egg yolks, sugar, a sweet wine , and sometimes whole eggs. It is a very light custard, which has been whipped to incorporate a large amount of air. Zabaglione is traditionally served with fresh figs...
    
    ) - 4 stars
  • Maria Hines (Northwest Trio: Apple Soup, Grilled Fig, and Berries with Berry Mousse) - 3 stars
  • Rick Tramonto (Herb and Fruit Shooters) - 3½ stars
  • Susur Lee ("East Meets West" Fruit Plate with Blackberry "Ravioli" and Thai Basil) - 2½ stars
    • WINNER: Jody Adams
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create and modernize a "family meal" for the cast and crew of Modern Family
  Modern Family
  Modern Family is an American television comedy series created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, which debuted on ABC on September 23, 2009. Lloyd and Levitan serve as showrunner and executive producers, under their Levitan-Lloyd Productions label...
  
  .
  • Debbie Gold (Glazed Pork Loin with Apple Butter and Winter Squash Slaw)
  • Jody Adams (Braised Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms, Semolina Gnocchi, and Herb Salad)
  • Maria Hines (Sockeye Salmon, Paprika Potatoes, Almond Slivers, and Almond Milk)
  • Rick Tramonto (Truffled White Beans with Escarole and Grilled Sausage)
  • Susur Lee (Roast Chicken and Farce Curry, Polenta and Grits, Tomato Jam, and Chili Mint Chutney)
    • WINNERS: Susur Lee (19½ stars) and Jody Adams (14½ stars)
    • ELIMINATED:
      • Maria Hines (13½ stars)
      • Rick Tramonto (13 stars)
      • Debbie Gold (10½ stars)

Episode 5: Wedding Wars

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are required to team up four to four and compete in a tag-team cook-off, with Jay Rayner serving as judge. First, the chefs pick a pot with a colored apron inside. Next, the teams are to decide what order they would cook in, but they are not allowed to communicate with each other in regards to the components of their dish and the chefs will wear blindfolds until they are tagged to start cooking. The teams have 40 minutes total (10 minutes individually) to alternate execution of the dish. The winning quickfire team will split $10,000 amongst their charities ($2,500 each). The winners will also receive a second advantage for the Elimination Challenge. The teams cooked in the following respective order:
  • Red Team: Susur Lee, Tony Mantuano, Marcus Samuelsson, Carmen Gonzalez (Pan Seared Sea Bass
    Sea bass
    -Family Serranidae:* Barred sand bass , lives mainly off the coast of California* Black sea bass , whose range is the eastern coast of the United States...
    
    and Prosciutto
    Prosciutto
    Prosciutto |ham]]) or Parma ham is a dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced and served uncooked; this style is called prosciutto crudo in Italian and is distinguished from cooked ham, prosciutto cotto....
    
     with a Truffle Spiced Shellfish Broth) - 4 stars
  • Blue Team: Susan Feniger, Jody Adams, Rick Moonen, Jonathan Waxman (Mussel and Scallop Stew with Orange and Fennel
    Fennel
    Fennel is a plant species in the genus Foeniculum . It is a member of the family Apiaceae . It is a hardy, perennial, umbelliferous herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves...
    
    ) - 4½ stars
    • WINNERS: Blue Team; Won $10,000 to split amongst each other.
• Elimination Challenge: The teams are challenged to Season 4's
  Top Chef (season 4)
  Top Chef: Chicago is the fourth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Chicago, Illinois, and concluded in San Juan, Puerto Rico...
  
   most grueling challenge, "Wedding Wars". In the teams used for the Quickfire, the chefs must cater a 150-guest wedding. Each team will prepare a different menu, one team responsible for meeting the bride's requests, while the other for the groom. Each team is also required to create their own wedding cake, one meeting the bride's requests, and one for the groom's requests. The Blue Team, as the winners of the Quickfire, decide to cater for the bride, and decide to stay away from the groom's limited palate. The wedding is to take place the next day, and the teams are given 45 minutes to discuss and plan the menu with the bride or groom, $5000 to shop at both a large food warehouse and Whole Foods Market, and 6 hours of preparation time in the Top Chef kitchen followed by 6 additional hours to cook at the banquet.
• Red Team
  • Appetizers: Lobster Roll with Asian Pear (Samuelsson); Honey Mustard Cured Tuna (Samuelsson); Jumbo Lump Crab cake
    Crab cake
    A crab cake is an American dish composed of crab meat and various other ingredients, such as bread crumbs, milk, mayonnaise, eggs, yellow onions, and seasonings. Occasionally other ingredients such as red or green peppers or pink radishes are added, at which point the cake is then sautéed, baked,...
    
     with Avocado Relish (Gonzalez)
  • Main Dishes: Flaming Ouzo Shrimp (Mantuano); Au Gratin Potatoes (Mantuano); Pasta with Fire-Roasted Tomatoes, Capers, and Feta (Mantuano); Roasted Corn Salsa (Gonzalez); Roast Beef Tenderloin with Grilled Onion Ragout and Pomegranate Sauce (Samuelsson)
  • Wedding Cake: French Wedding Cake: Croquembouche
    Croquembouche
    A croquembouche or croque-en-bouche is a French pastry, a pièce montée that is often served at weddings, baptisms, and first communions. It is a high cone of choux filled with pastry cream that can be dipped in chocolate bound with caramel, and usually decorated with threads of caramel, sugared...
    
     (Lee)
  • Desserts: Upside Down Raisin Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce (Lee); Chocolate Profiterole and Whipped Cream (Lee); Carrot Cake (Lee)
• Blue Team
  • Appetizers: Potatoes Bhajia with Mint Cilantro Sauce and Tamarind
    Tamarind
    Tamarind is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic .-Origin:...
    
     Date Chutney (Feniger); Red Pepper Pancakes with Smoked Salmon, Caviar, and Lemon Zest (Waxman); Pancetta and Melted Raclette
    Raclette
    Raclette is both a type of cheese and a Swiss and French dish based on heating the cheese and scraping off the melted part.-Cheese:Raclette is a semi-firm, cow's milk cheese - most commonly used for melting...
    
     Tart (Adams)
  • Main Dishes: Dijon Rack of Lamb with Rosemary, Farro
    Farro
    Farro is a food product consisting of the grains of certain wheat species in whole form. The exact definition is debated. It is sold dried and is prepared by cooking in water until soft, but still crunchy . It may be eaten plain, though it is often used as an ingredient in dishes such as salads and...
    
    , and Autumn Vegetables (Adams); Roast Chicken with Tarragon Velouté
    Velouté sauce
    A velouté sauce, pronounced , along with Allemande, Béchamel, and Espagnole, is one of the sauces of French cuisine that were designated the four "mother sauces" by Antonin Carême in the 19th century. The French chef Auguste Escoffier later classified tomato, mayonnaise, and Hollandaise mother...
    
     and Cauliflower Purée (Waxman); "Seafood Mixed Grill": Opah, Coho Salmon
    Coho salmon
    The Coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon or "silvers". It is the state animal of Chiba, Japan.-Description:...
    
    , and Swordfish on Sweet and Sour Eggplant (Moonen)
  • Wedding Cake: Egyptian Semolina
    Semolina
    Semolina is the coarse, purified wheat middlings of durum wheat used in making pasta, and also used for breakfast cereals and puddings. Semolina is also used to designate coarse middlings from other varieties of wheat, and from other grains such as rice and corn.-Name:The term semolina derives from...
    
     Cake with Berries and Cream (Feniger)
  • Dessert: Bananas Foster
    Bananas Foster
    Bananas Foster is a dessert made from bananas and vanilla ice cream, with the sauce made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, dark rum, and banana liqueur. The butter, sugar and bananas are cooked, and then the alcohol is added and ignited. The bananas and sauce are then served over the ice cream...
    
     with Candied Pecans and Rum Caramel Sauce (Adams)
    • WINNING TEAM: Blue Team
    • INDIVIDUAL WINNER: Jody Adams
    • ELIMINATED: Carmen Gonzalez (11 stars)

Episode 6: Scary Surf and Turf

• Quickfire Challenge: Each chef must create a dish inspired by a character from The Simpsons
  The Simpsons
  The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
  
  .
  • Susan Feniger (Millet Crispy Treats with Peanut Butter Chips, Donuts, and Mexican Hot Chocolate) (Moe
    Moe Szyslak
    Momar / Morris "Moe" Szyslak is a fictional character in the American animated television series, The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the series premiere episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"...
    
    ) - 4 stars
  • Tony Mantuano (Fried Bacon Honey Pizza Dough with Boozy Coffee) (Chief Wiggum) - 3 stars
  • Marcus Samuelsson (Tomato Soup with Rice, Chickpeas, Chutney, Melon, and Nuts) (Apu
    Apu Nahasapeemapetilon
    Apu Nahasapeemapetilon is a character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria and first appeared in the episode "The Telltale Head". Apu is the proprietor of the Kwik-E-Mart, a popular convenience store in Springfield, and a friend of Homer Simpson. He is also...
    
    ) - 4 stars
  • Jonathan Waxman (Spaghetti Bambino with Grilled Tomato, Ham, and Cheese Sandwich) (Bart
    Bart Simpson
    Bartholomew JoJo "Bart" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the Simpson family. He is voiced by actress Nancy Cartwright and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
    
    ) - 4 stars
  • Rick Moonen (Shrimp "Sloppy D'oh!" with Truffle Chips and Beer) (Homer
    Homer Simpson
    Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
    
    ) - 4½ stars
  • Jody Adams (Cracked Wheat Salad with Goat's Milk Ricotta, Barbecued Beets, and Baked Kale Chips) (Lisa
    Lisa Simpson
    Lisa Marie Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons. She is the middle child of the Simpson family. Voiced by Yeardley Smith, Lisa first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987. Cartoonist Matt Groening...
    
    ) - 4 stars
  • Susur Lee (Purple Potatoes, Pan Roasted Pork Chop, and Glazed Grapes with Mustard Sauce) (Marge
    Marge Simpson
    Marjorie "Marge" Simpson is a fictional main character in the animated television series The Simpsons and part of the eponymous family. She is voiced by actress Julie Kavner and first appeared on television in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
    
    ) - 3½ stars
    • WINNER: Rick Moonen
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs are asked to create a "surf and turf
  Surf and turf
  Surf and turf or surf 'n' turf is a main course in American cuisine which combines seafood and meat. It is particularly common in British or Irish pubs in North America and North American steakhouses, and typically includes lobster, Dublin Bay prawn, or shrimp, which may be grilled or breaded and...
  
  " dish using exotic proteins, such as geoduck
  Geoduck
  The geoduck , Panopea generosa, is a species of very large saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Hiatellidae.The shell of this clam is large, about to over in length, but the very long siphons make the clam itself very much longer than this: the "neck" or siphons alone can be ...
  
  , monkfish liver, sea cucumber
  Sea cucumber
  Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea.They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the sea floor worldwide. There are a number of holothurian species and genera, many of which are targeted...
  
  , jumbo squid, goat leg, duck tongue, black chicken, and kangaroo
  Kangaroo
  A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
  
  . This elimination challenge was originally used in Season 3
  Top Chef (season 3)
  Top Chef: Miami is the third season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Miami, Florida, and concluded in Aspen, Colorado. The season premiered on Bravo on June 13, 2007 and ended on October 10, 2007. Padma Lakshmi returned with Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and new...
  
  .
  • Susan Feniger (Marinated Sea Cucumber, Fried Sea Cucumber, and Kangaroo with Juniper Sauce) - Top 4
  • Tony Mantuano (Crostino with Calamari in Zimino, Braised Goat Sauce, and Goat Cheese Ravioli) - Top 4
  • Marcus Samuelsson (Geoduck and Kangaroo Sausage, Geoduck with Couscous, and Geoduck and Kangaroo Tartare) - 11½ stars
  • Jonathan Waxman (Giant Squid Fritto Misto, Fried Duck Tongue, and Fideo with Duck Tongue) - 11 stars
  • Rick Moonen (Poached Black Chicken Mousse and Roulade, Monkfish Liver Torchon, and Buttered Leeks) - 16½ stars
  • Jody Adams (Sicilian Spiced Roast Goat, Geoduck and Chickpea Chowder, and Homemade Harissa
    Harissa
    Harissa is a Tunisian hot chili sauce commonly eaten in North Africa whose main ingredients are piri piri , serrano peppers and other hot chili peppers and spices such as garlic paste, coriander, red chili powder, caraway as well as some vegetable or olive oil...
    
    ) - 10½ stars
  • Susur Lee (Poached Monkfish Liver, Black Chicken, Black Chicken Velouté, and Black Chicken with Monkfish Liver) - 19 stars
    • WINNER: Susur Lee (19 stars)
    • ELIMINATED: Jody Adams (10½ stars)

Episode 7: Tailgating

• Quickfire Challenge: Each chef must create a dish using leg proteins.
  • Susan Feniger (Cumin-Cilantro Chicken with Pickled Tomatoes on Quinoa
    Quinoa
    Quinoa , a species of goosefoot , is a grain-like crop grown primarily for its edible seeds. It is a pseudocereal rather than a true cereal, or grain, as it is not a member of the grass family...
    
     and Raisin Pilaf) - 4½ stars
  • Tony Mantuano (Warm Crab and Potato Salad with Three Types of Coriander) - 3½ stars
  • Marcus Samuelsson (Confit of Frog Legs with Curry Broth and Crab Rice) - 3 stars
  • Jonathan Waxman (Capellini with King Crab Leg, Jalapeños, and Mint) - 3½ stars
  • Rick Moonen (Egg in a Hole with Roasted Octopus Leg and Bérnaise Sauce) - 3 stars
  • Susur Lee (Indochine Roasted Leg of Lamb with Lamb Meatballs, Pine Nuts, and Dry Cherry Sauce) - 4 stars
    • WINNER: Susan Feniger
• Elimination Challenge: The contestants are asked to create dishes for a tailgating
  Tailgate
  Tailgate is an American English word denoting the door or 'gate' at the back of a wagon, pickup truck, SUV or other similar type of vehicle that is hinged at the bottom and can be opened for the convenience in loading cargo into the rear of the vehicle...
  
   party at a University of Southern California
  University of Southern California
  The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
  
   football game. The chefs are given preparation time both at the Top Chef kitchen and at the field, prior to serving, on grills. This elimination challenge was originally used in Season 4
  Top Chef (season 4)
  Top Chef: Chicago is the fourth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Chicago, Illinois, and concluded in San Juan, Puerto Rico...
  
  .
  • Susan Feniger (Skirt Steak Tacos with Black Bean and Corn Salsa and Roasted Pepper Salsas) - 16 stars
  • Tony Mantuano (Grilled Pizza with Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Romano, Arugula, and Prosciutto) - 10 stars
  • Marcus Samuelsson (Grilled Chicken and Shrimp Soup with Grilled Vegetable Couscous and a Burger) - 14½ stars
  • Jonathan Waxman (New York Steak Tacos with Grilled Vegetables and Bordelaise Sauce) - 10½ stars
  • Rick Moonen (Chermoula Grilled Chicken with Baba Ghanoush and Spicy Slaw on Pita Bread) - 13½ stars
  • Susur Lee (Korean Style Skirt Steak with Roasted Cauliflower and Austrian Dumplings) - 15 stars
    • WINNER: Susan Feniger (16 stars)
    • ELIMINATED: Tony Mantuano (10 stars)

Episode 8: Food of the Gods

• Quickfire Challenge: The five remaining chefs compete in a game of "Identify That Ingredient" which was originally used in Season 5
  Top Chef (season 5)
  Top Chef: New York is the fifth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in New York City, New York, and concluded in New Orleans, Louisiana...
  
  . The chefs picke pots to determine their opponent for round one. Since there are an odd number of chefs, one chef receives a pass to round two. Each pair is given 15 seconds to taste a specific sauce and each chef in the pair must then bid on the number of ingredients they think they can correctly name. Bids pass back and forth until one chef challenges the other to match the last placed bid. If a complete list of correct ingredients is given, the challenged chef moves on to the next round. Naming any incorrect ingredient ends the round and the challenger moves on. The round one opponents are Marcus Samuelsson vs. Susur Lee and Susan Feniger vs. Rick Moonen, with Jonathan Waxman receiving the pass to round two.
  • Round One: Blended Chasseur
    Chasseur (sauce)
    Sauce Chasseur, sometimes called hunter's sauce, is a small or compound brown sauce used in French cuisine. It is typically made using demi-glace and espagnole as a base, and often consists of mushrooms, shallots, and white wine. It may also include tomatoes and a finishing of fines herbes...
    
    
    • Winners: Jonathan (free pass), Rick, Susur
  • The final two rounds were in a spelling bee
    Spelling bee
    A spelling bee is a competition where contestants, usually children, are asked to spell English words. The concept is thought to have originated in the United States....
    
    -style format. The remaining chefs must name a correct ingredient until a chef has named an incorrect ingredient.
  • Round Two: Thai Green Curry
    Green curry
    Green curry is a variety of curry in Thai cuisine. The name "green" curry derives from the color of the dish. Other Thai curry dishes are identified solely by their colors, such as yellow and red curry. Green curries tend to be as hot as red curries, both being hotter than phanang/padang curries...
    
    
    • Winners: Rick, Susur
  • Round Three: Lobster Sauce
    • WINNER: Rick Moonen
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs are challenged to create dishes inspired by a Greek god. First, the chefs draw knives with names of various Greek gods. Chefs are told they will be making tasting portions for fifty diners and will have four hours to complete their dishes.
  • Susan Feniger (Toast with Coconut Jam and Sweet Butter, Fried Egg with White Pepper and Dark Soy) (Aphrodite
    Aphrodite
    Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation.Her Roman equivalent is the goddess .Historically, her cult in Greece was imported from, or influenced by, the cult of Astarte in Phoenicia....
    
    ) - 10½ stars
  • Marcus Samuelsson (Cured Beef and Salmon with Apple Broth and Oyster Foam) (Ares
    Ares
    Ares is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent aspect of war, in contrast to the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and...
    
    ) - 15½ stars
  • Jonathan Waxman (Seared Scallops, Romesco Sauce, Cherry Tomatoes, String Beans, and Celery Purée) (Poseidon
    Poseidon
    Poseidon was the god of the sea, and, as "Earth-Shaker," of the earthquakes in Greek mythology. The name of the sea-god Nethuns in Etruscan was adopted in Latin for Neptune in Roman mythology: both were sea gods analogous to Poseidon...
    
    ) - 12½ stars
  • Rick Moonen (Spice Crusted Swordfish, Crimson Potatoes, Daikon, Radishes, and Parsnips) (Hades
    Hades
    Hades , Hadēs, originally , Haidēs or , Aidēs , meaning "the unseen") was the ancient Greek god of the underworld. The genitive , Haidou, was an elision to denote locality: "[the house/dominion] of Hades". Eventually, the nominative came to designate the abode of the dead.In Greek mythology, Hades...
    
    ) - 18 stars
  • Susur Lee (Roasted Pork Loin in Chinese Wine and Croquette with Feta and Santorini Olives) (Dionysus
    Dionysus
    Dionysus was the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy in Greek mythology. His name in Linear B tablets shows he was worshipped from c. 1500—1100 BC by Mycenean Greeks: other traces of Dionysian-type cult have been found in ancient Minoan Crete...
    
    ) - 15 stars
    • WINNER: Rick Moonen (18 stars)
    • ELIMINATED: Susan Feniger (10½ stars)

Episode 9: Improv

• Quickfire Challenge: The four remaining chefs are given 45 minutes to create a dish from a recipe included in a cookbook of one of the other chefs. Halfway through their cooking time, the chefs are told to convert their dishes into soups while still retaining the original recipe's integrity. A variation of this Quickfire Challenge was originally used in Season 5
  Top Chef (season 5)
  Top Chef: New York is the fifth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in New York City, New York, and concluded in New Orleans, Louisiana...
  
  .
  • Marcus Samuelsson (Chicken Soup with Crispy Tortilla Chips and Avocado Goat Cheese Guacamole) - 4½ stars
  • Jonathan Waxman (Chicken Thai Curry Soup with Thai Basil) - 3 stars
  • Rick Moonen (Scallop, Mussel & Pancetta Asian Style Cioppino) - 3½ stars
  • Susur Lee (Tunisian Fish Soup with Olives, Capers, White Wine, Cumin and Coriander Seeds) - 4 stars
    • WINNER: Marcus Samuelsson
• Elimination Challenge: The chefs attend a performance of the improvisational comedy troupe, The Groundlings
  The Groundlings
  The Groundlings are an improvisational comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin to produce sketches and improvised scenes...
  
  . During the performance, the actors obtained combinations of a color, emotion, and ingredient from the audience. The chefs must create a meal encompassing these traits. A variation of this Elimination Challenge was originally used in Season 4
  Top Chef (season 4)
  Top Chef: Chicago is the fourth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Chicago, Illinois, and concluded in San Juan, Puerto Rico...
  
  .
  • Marcus Sammuelsson (Violet, Pleasure, Salmon) (Confit of Salmon with Caviar, Shrimp and Sake) - 17½ stars
  • Jonathan Waxman (Burnt Sienna, Depression, Avocado) (Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breast, French Fries, Yams and Avocado with Grapefruit) - 11½ stars
  • Rick Moonen (Red, Anger, Bacon) (Pork Loin with Poached Oysters, Bacon and Spicy Kim Chee with Maudite Beer) - 13½ stars
  • Susur Lee (Chocolate, Lust, Peanut Butter) (Chocolate Mousse Infused with Coriander and a Caramel Peanut Butter Mousse and a Chocolate Crumble) - 17 stars
    • WINNER: Marcus Samuelsson (17½ stars)
    • ELIMINATED: Jonathan Waxman (11½ stars)

Episode 10: Finale

• Final Challenge: In the last challenge of the season, the three remaining chefs are tasked with preparing a three-course meal that is their biography. The first course is their first cooking memory. The second course is the meal that inspired them to become a chef. The third course is what defines them as a chef. There are two twists in this episode. First, the diners include the finalists from the first season of Top Chef Masters, Rick Bayless
  Rick Bayless
  Rick Bayless is an American chef who specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with modern interpretations. He is perhaps best known for his PBS series Mexico: One Plate at a Time....
  
  , Michael Chiarello
  Michael Chiarello
  Michael Chiarello is an American celebrity chef specializing in Italian-influenced California cuisine. He hosts the cooking show, Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello, on the Food Network and hosts NapaStyle on the Fine Living Network...
  
  , and Hubert Keller
  Hubert Keller
  Hubert Keller is a noted French chef, who is known for his signature restaurants, Fleur de Lys in San Francisco and Las Vegas.- Biography :Keller was born in Alsace, France, and graduated from the École Hoteliere in Strasbourg...
  
  , as well as Tom Colicchio
  Tom Colicchio
  Thomas Patrick "Tom" Colicchio is an American celebrity chef. He co-founded the Gramercy Tavern in New York City, and formerly served as a co-owner and as the executive chef. He is also the founder of Craft and Colicchio & Sons restaurants...
  
  , the head judge from Top Chef
  Top Chef
  Top Chef is an American reality competition show that airs on the cable television network Bravo, in which chefs compete against each other in culinary challenges. They are judged by a panel of professional chefs and other notables from the food and wine industry with one or more contestants...
  
  . Second, the sous chefs from each of the contestants' restaurants are brought in to help the respective chefs.
  • Marcus Samuelsson:
    • Smoked Char with Sweet Horseradish and Shellfish Broth with Apples, Celery Root and Mashed Root Vegetables
    • Salt-cured Duck with Foie Gras Flan, Sour Tomato Jam and Aged Balsamic
    • Berbere-flavored Hamachi Meatball, Porcini Couscous and Sea Urchin Froth
  • Rick Moonen:
    • Hamachi and Live Sea Scallop Crudo with Glazed Kushi Oyster and American Sturgeon Caviar
    • Pork Belly with Poached Egg, Sardinian Gnocchi with Parmesan and White Truffle and Turnip
    • Venison with Espresso Salt and Pear Butter, Stuffed Cipollini Onions, Shitake Mushrooms & Brussels Sprouts and Natural Jus with Red Wine Reduction
  • Susur Lee:
    • Steamed Scallop with Cantonese Black Bean Sauce and Shrimp and Crab Croquette with Chili Sauce
    • Tuna with Wasabi Mousee, Charred Sea Bream, and Artichoke, Asparagus and Daikon Salad with Ginger Flower
    • Lamb Thailandaise with Chang Mai Sausage, Green Curry and Polenta
• WINNER: Marcus Samuelsson (17½ stars)
• RUNNERS-UP:
  • Susur Lee (17 stars)
  • Rick Moonen (17 stars)