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Top Chef: Los Angeles
October 17, 2006
13 Episodes
~42 min per episode
Overview
Top Chef: Los Angeles is the second season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Los Angeles, California, and concluded in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii. The season premiered on Bravo on October 18, 2006 and ended on January 31, 2007. Padma Lakshmi took over as host, with Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons returning as judges. Filming began in Westwood, near UCLA in Los Angeles, on August 10, 2006. The number of contestants expanded from 12 to 15. The prize money awarded to the Top Chef was $100,000. The winning recipe from each week's episode is featured on Bravo's Top Chef website and prepared by Season 1 contestant Lee Anne Wong in a web video called The Wong Way to Cook. Bravo cited negative viewer reaction to the reunion episode of season one as the reason why no reunion episode was filmed for season two.
Episodes
13
1
Into the Fire
Oct 18, 2006
42 min
Fifteen new contestants are introduced for Top Chef's second season in Los Angeles by new host Padma Lakshmi. Guest Judge: Harold Dieterle. QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using the Flambé Technique. Elimination Challenge: Create a Dish Using all Five Mystery Box Ingredients.
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2
Eastern Promise
Oct 25, 2006
42 min
An Asian culinary theme runs through this episode's challenges. First the contestants put their own twists on sushi, then they work as teams to participate in a charity event. Guest Judge: Hiroshi Shima – QuickFire Challenge. Guest Judge: Ming Tsai – Elimination 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.
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3
Food for the People
Nov 1, 2006
42 min
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.
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4
Less is More
Nov 8, 2006
42 min
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.
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5
Social Service
Nov 15, 2006
42 min
This round is all about leftovers and the chefs’ ability to be creative with difficult ingredients. They must make fine cuisine from truly disgusting fare, and then create a multi-course affair from only a restaurant’s refrigerated remains of 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.
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6
Thanksgiving
Nov 22, 2006
42 min
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.
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7
The Raw and the Cooked
Dec 6, 2006
42 min
This round's theme is all about working with limitations. The contestants must create a dish that is not cooked, and then adapt when they're asked to plan a dish without knowing the kitchen equipment 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.
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8
Holiday Spirit
Dec 13, 2006
42 min
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 first asked to create an original drink accompanied by a small snack, then they 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 Bailey's Holiday Cocktail. Elimination Challenge: Cater a Hollywood Holiday Party.
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9
Seven
Jan 3, 2007
42 min
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 – a hard task for the color-blind chef, then the contestants are "given" their inspiration for a theme to a star-studded dinner. Guest Judge: Ted Allen QuickFire & Elimination Guest Judge: Roberto Ivan Elimination QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using One Color. Elimination Challenge: Create a Seven Course Dinner Inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins.
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10
Unhappy Customers
Jan 10, 2007
42 min
This round's theme deals with vision and execution, challenging the chefs' to create original ideas that can also be achieved. First up is snack food limited by three condiments, then 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, then Execute It with Your Team.
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11
Sense and Sensuality
Jan 17, 2007
42 min
The sensuality of food runs through this round's challenges as the five remaining chefs are asked to determine what they want the diner to experience and then create a dish that carries this through. First up is everything chocolate, then they must prepare a meal for couples who are all celebrating anniversaries. Guest Judge: Eric Ripert Nestlé Chocolatier QuickFire Challenge: Create a Sweet or Savory Dish using Nestlé Chocolatier. Elimination Challenge: Create a Romantic Dinner with Paired Wines.
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12
Finale (1)
Jan 24, 2007
42 min
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.
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13
Finale (2)
Jan 31, 2007
42 min
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.
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