1x1 - Who Deserves To Be Here

March 8, 2006

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.

1x2 - Food Of Love

March 15, 2006

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.

1x3 - Nasty Delights

March 22, 2006

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.

1x4 - Food on the Fly

March 29, 2006

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.

1x5 - Blind Confusion

April 5, 2006

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.

1x6 - Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

April 12, 2006

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.

1x7 - Restaurant Wars

April 19, 2006

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.

1x8 - Wedding Bell Blues

April 26, 2006

Teams compete for the chance to cater a commitment ceremony.

1x9 - Napa's Finest

May 3, 2006

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

1x10 - Reunion

May 10, 2006

Contestants reminisce about the competition.

1x11 - Finale (1)

May 14, 2006

1x12 - Finale (2)

May 24, 2006

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

Tom Colicchio

Self - Head Judge, Himself - Head Judge

Padma Lakshmi

Self - Host, Herself - Host

Gail Simmons

Herself - Judge, Self - Judge

Kristen Kish

Self - Host