Top Chef: Los Angeles is the second season of the American reality television series Top Chef. It was first filmed in Los Angeles, before concluding in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii.[1] The season premiered on October 18, 2006, and ended on January 31, 2007.[1]Padma Lakshmi replaced Katie Lee Joel as the host, with Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons returning as judges.[1] The winning recipe from each week's episode was 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 Season 2 chefs' attitudes and overall behavior as the reason why no reunion episode was filmed.[2] In the season finale, Ilan Hall was declared the winner over runner-up Marcel Vigneron.[3] Sam Talbot was voted Fan Favorite.[4]
Contestants
Fifteen chefs competed in Top Chef: Los Angeles.[1]
^Note 1 : The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge. ^Note 2 : Otto voluntarily withdrew before Lakshmi eliminated anyone, deciding that his misconduct over the unpaid lychees contributed the most to his team's loss. ^Note 3 : After allegations of cheating, the judges decided not to eliminate anyone. Consequently, two chefs were eliminated in the following episode. ^Note 4 : There were five winners in the Quickfire Challenge. These winners did not compete in the Elimination Challenge. ^Note 5 : Mia voluntarily withdrew before Lakshmi eliminated anyone, fearing Elia would be eliminated. ^Note 6 : Following the Elimination Challenge, no winning team was declared. The Bottom 3 was decided based on each chef's individual performance. ^Note 7 : Cliff was disqualified for aggressive physical contact with Marcel. No one else was eliminated going into the finale.
(WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned "Top Chef".
(RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season.
(WIN) The chef won the Elimination Challenge.
(HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win.
(IN) The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe.
(LOW) The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated.
(OUT) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge.
(WDR) The chef voluntarily withdrew from the competition.
(DSQ) The chef was disqualified from the competition.
Elimination Challenge: The chefs were required to prepare a dish using the five ingredients provided in a mystery crate. The contestants were separated into two groups and received different crates. The teams took turns serving their dishes to the judges and the other group of contestants.
Elimination Challenge: The contestants were split into two teams: Team Vietnam and Team Korea. Each team had to prepare two dishes using the flavors of their assigned country to serve at a charity fundraiser for 1,000 people. The winner received a limited-edition Kyocera KT-300-HIP Kyotop 8.25" ceramicsashimiknife.
Team Vietnam: Betty, Carlos, Emily, Josie, Mia, Michael, Sam
Team Korea: Cliff, Elia, Frank, Ilan, Marcel, Marisa, Otto
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to create an original ice cream flavor and serve it at the Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon. The winner received immunity from elimination.
Winner: Cliff (Marshmallow with Cookies)
Elimination Challenge: The chefs had to create a dish updating a "childhood classic" to fit the menu of T.G.I. Friday's that would be served to the firemen of South Pasadena. The winning entrée would be featured nationwide on the menu of T.G.I. Friday's.
Winner: Betty (Grilled Cheese with Portabello Mushrooms & Roasted Red Pepper Soup)
Eliminated: Emily ("Super Slamming Surf & Turf")
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4
"Less is More"
November 8, 2006 (2006-11-08)
Quickfire Challenge: Each chef made an amuse-bouche dish using $10 of ingredients from a vending machine. The winner received immunity from elimination.
Winner: Carlos (Sunflower Seed & Carrot Loaf with Cilantro, Sesame Seeds & Squirt)
Elimination Challenge: The 12 chefs were divided into four teams and were required to create a meal that did not exceed 500 calories (2,100 kJ) to serve at a camp for diabetic and overweight children. The winner received a cookbook written by guest judge Suzanne Goin and an opportunity to collaborate on one of Goin's famed Sunday supper menus for her Lucques restaurant.
Quickfire Challenge: The remaining chefs created dishes using three different canned foods in 15 minutes. The winners of the challenge were able to skip the Elimination Challenge altogether.
Winners:
Sam (Garbanzo & Beet Salad, Crunchy Anchovies with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette)
Mia (15 Minute Salad with Garbanzo Beans, Green Beans, Artichoke Hearts & Mint)
Frank (Fruit & Coconut Salad with Blueberry Yogurt Cream)
Elimination Challenge: The five chefs who did not win the Quickfire Challenge (Marcel, Elia, Michael, Betty, and Carlos) worked together to make a cutting edge Thanksgiving dinner for the judges, guest judge Anthony Bourdain, and the other Top Chef contestants, using the kitchens in the loft.
Winner: Elia (Portobello & Button Mushroom Creme with Walnuts)
Eliminated: Carlos (Salad with Chipotle Peppers, Queso Fresco, Pumpkin Seeds, Butternut Squash Dressing)
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7
"The Raw and the Cooked"
December 6, 2006 (2006-12-06)
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to create an entrée using fresh ingredients from the Redondo Beach Farmers' Market without cooking of any kind. The winner received immunity from elimination.
Elimination Challenge: The chefs were told by Lakshmi that they had to prepare breakfast for athletes. The cooking environment and available tools were unknown to the contestants until their arrival at the challenge. In the challenge, the chefs cooked for surfers at dawn on the beach using only a fire pit and basic kitchen tools. Rafael Lunetta guest judges.
Winner: Elia ("Organic Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner": Waffle with Ham, Cheese & Fried Eggs)
Eliminated: Frank (Zucchini & Salmon Scramble, Cannoli Cream with Strawberries & Holland Waffle)
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8
"Holiday Spirit"
December 13, 2006 (2006-12-13)
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs made a Bailey's Irish Cream mix drink and an accompanying dish. The winner received immunity from elimination.
Quickfire Challenge: Each chef drew a knife that showed a different color. The chefs then had to create a dish based on the color drawn from the knife block. From this point on, the winner of the Quickfire Challenge no longer received immunity from elimination.
Winner: Michael (Orange: Sushi Rice with Salmon & Carrot Chips)
Elimination Challenge: The chefs prepared a seven-course meal, with each course representing one of the Seven Deadly Sins. The sins were drawn from the knife block, but Michael, as the Quickfire winner, was given the opportunity to swap his sin, Lust, for Marcel's Envy. Debi Mazar made a guest appearance, and her favorite chef in Los Angeles, Roberto Ivan, appeared as the guest judge in addition to Ted Allen.
Winner: Michael (Envy: Trout & Salmon with Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc, Asparagus & Mushrooms)
Eliminated: Betty (Sloth: Trio of Slow Roasted Soups: Carrot Fennel, Sweet White Onion, Beet & Red Pepper)
Winners: Sam (Southern Kraft Sandwich with Tempura Shrimp, Pickled Peaches & BBQ Aioli); Marcel (Lamb Kebab with Curried Kraft Mayo, Endives & Tomatoes)
Elimination Challenge: Similar to the standard Restaurant Wars format, the contestants, divided into two teams, devised a concept, interior design, and menu for a raw restaurant space. Sam and Marcel, as the Quickfire winners, chose their teammates. Mike Yakura guest judges.
Lalalina: Sam, Michael, Ilan (FOH)
First Course: Fried Meatball on Crostini with Parsley Pesto
Second Course: Linguini with Walnut Parsley Pesto & Roasted Mushrooms
Second Course: Tempura Vegetables & Mozzarella with Cornichon Aioli
Third Course: "The M.E.C. Burger" with House Made Chips
Fourth Course: Oreo Lemon Pie
Eliminated: Michael
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11
"Sense and Sensuality"
January 17, 2007 (2007-01-17)
Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to prepare a dish using Nestléchocolatier products.
Winner: Sam (Shrimp & Banana with Chocolate Chipotle, Black Bean & Cilantro Pesto Sauces)
Elimination Challenge: The chefs worked together to create a romantic five-course menu for celebratory couples in Santa Barbara. Sam, as the Quickfire Challenge winner, was allowed to choose which course he wanted to execute and which proteins he was going to use. The remaining contestants were not allowed to use the same proteins that Sam chose. Sam elected to cook the first course and use lobster and scallops as his proteins. Éric Ripert guest judges.
Disqualified: Cliff (Sirloin with Lentil Purée)[e]
24
12
"Hawaii Finale, Part 1"
January 24, 2007 (2007-01-24)
Elimination Challenge: Each chef made two dishes based on classic Hawaiian dishes with a twist. Each chef had to combine their signature style with traditional Hawaiian flavors and cuisine.
Eliminated: Sam (Opakapaka Poke with Sea Beans; Mascarpone Mousse with Hawaiian Salted Coconut Milk & Citrus Tuile); Elia (Snapper Steamed in Ti Leaves; Ahi Poke with Olives, Capers & Lemon Confit)
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13
"Hawaii Finale, Part 2"
January 31, 2007 (2007-01-31)
Elimination Challenge: The chefs prepared a five-course meal to be served to the usual judges' panel and five additional guest judges at one of two restaurants in the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Ilan cooked at Donatoni's Restaurant, while Marcel cooked at Imari Restaurant. Previously eliminated contestants Sam, Elia, Michael, Betty, Mia, and Frank were asked to return as potential sous chefs for Ilan and Marcel. Each returnee was asked which finalist they would prefer to work with. Elia, Michael, and Betty chose Ilan. Sam, Mia, and Frank chose Marcel. Ilan and Marcel were then allowed to choose two chefs. Marcel chose Sam and Michael, and Ilan chose Elia and Betty. Guest judging are Michelle Bernstein, Scott Conant, Wylie Dufresne, Hubert Keller, and Roy Yamaguchi.
Fourth Course: North Short Strip Loin with Garlic Purée, Crispy Taro Ball & Micro Greens
Fifth Course: Blini with Kona Coffee Caviar & Hawaiian Chocolate Mousse
Winner: Ilan
Runner-up: Marcel
References
Notes
^The contestants' city and state of residence during time of filming.
^Otto voluntarily withdrew from the show. As Team Korea loaded up their SUV with groceries, Marisa overheard Otto saying that he thought the store cashier neglected to ring up a case of lychees. She later revealed this to Colicchio, who forced Otto to return them to the store. Otto returned to compete in the Elimination Challenge, but announced that he was withdrawing from the competition during the "Judges' Table" segment, citing the drama surrounding the incident as the primary reason for his team's loss.
^At the judges' table, the losing teams made allegations regarding the "bending" or "breaking" of the rules in the Elimination Challenge by members of the winning team. Sam stated that he saw people excessively squirting bottles of olive oil, but refused to name anyone. Mia stated that Betty had used sugar instead of Splenda; a claim that Betty herself later confirmed, explaining that she thought she had not violated the rules because her team would still be under the 500 calories (2,100 kJ) limit. However, the other contestants understood that the rules required that once the calorie calculations had been completed by the nutritionists, the recipes could not be further modified. As a result, Colicchio stated that all the contestants would remain "on probation" and nobody was eliminated.
^Mia voluntarily withdrew from the competition during the judges' table segment, believing that she was saving Elia from elimination.
^After the Elimination Challenge, but before the Judges' Table segment, Cliff, Elia, Ilan and Sam got drunk and decided to forcibly shave Marcel's head. Cliff approached a sleeping Marcel and wrestled him to the ground. Marcel freed himself from Cliff's hold and slept in a bathroom. Ilan videotaped the incident with a video camera borrowed from production and could be heard in the recording encouraging the other contestants to use the clippers on Marcel.[10] This sequence showed Ilan and Elia shaving their heads before deciding to shave Marcel's. However, the editing is misleading as Elia is shown briefly with a full head of hair in the background as Cliff wrestled Marcel. The next day, Cliff was disqualified from the competition, as the show's rules explicitly forbid contestants from touching one another in an aggressive manner. However, it was mentioned that during the judges' deliberation that Cliff's dish was the weakest of all five, and that he likely would have been eliminated at the Judges' Table anyway. Colicchio stated in his blog post for the episode that he was willing to send home all of the contestants involved except for Marcel, holding them all accountable either for their actions that escalated the situation, or their decision not to speak up for Marcel while he was calling for help. However, the producers intervened, not wanting to end the season on a sour note and give audiences an anticlimactic ending giving the title of Top Chef to Marcel by default.[11]
