Top Chef
New York
200815 episodes
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 season premiered on Bravo on November 12, 2008 and ended on March 4, 2009. The prize money awarded to the Top Chef was $100,000.
Episode 1
Melting Pot
Nov 12, 200855m
One chef is eliminated in a three-round quickfire involving apples. The remaining chefs create dishes representing the ethnic cuisines of several New York neighborhoods.
Episode 2
Show Your Craft
Nov 19, 200842m
After re-inventing the hot dog for the quickfire challenge, the chefs cook and serve lunch at Tom's flagship restaurant, Craft.
Episode 3
Foo Fighters Thanksgiving
Nov 26, 200842m
For the quickfire, the chefs recreate dishes from the Top Chef cookbook. In the elimination challenge, they cook Thanksgiving dinner for the Foo Fighters at the band's tour stop in Syracuse, N.Y.
Episode 4
Today Show
Dec 3, 200842m
After creating a breakfast amuse-bouche for the quickfire, the contestants compete in a live food demonstration challenge in order to earn a booking on "Today."
Episode 5
Gail's Bridal Shower
Dec 10, 200855m
For the quickfire, chefs must identify ingredients in a dish. For the elimination challenge, the contestants cater a bridal shower for judge Gail Simmons.
Episode 6
12 Days of Christmas
Dec 17, 200855m
Domestic guru Martha Stewart oversees the quick fire challenge in this holiday-themed edition. Then, actress Natasha Richardson is the guest judge when the cooks cater a Christmas cocktail party in which the proceeds go to the AIDS research.
Episode 7
Focus Group
Jan 7, 200944m
The chefs must create a sweet dish without using sugar (guest judge: chef and restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli). In the elimination challenge, chefs prepare a family-style meal for blind judging.
Episode 8
Down on the Farm
Jan 14, 200944m
Contestants shop for fresh ingredients at a farm and then create a dinner for the farm workers.
Episode 9
Restaurant Wars
Jan 21, 200955m
Two teams have 24 hours to design and open competing restaurants.
Episode 10
Super Bowl Chef Showdown
Jan 28, 200955m
A Super Bowl cook-off against seven all-stars from previous seasons.
Episode 11
Le Bernardin
Feb 4, 200944m
After a three-round fish filleting tournament, the contestants cook at Le Bernadin where their final product will be judged by chef Eric Ripert.
Episode 12
The Last Supper
Feb 11, 200944m
Wylie Dufresne judges a quickfire challenge of egg dishes. For the elimination challenge, the five remaining chefs each cook a "last supper" dish requested by a culinary superstar.
Episode 13
Finale, Part 1
Feb 18, 200955m
The season finale finds the chefs traveling from New York to New Orleans. While in the "Big Easy" they will be challenged to kick it up a notch when celebrity judge/chef Emeril Lagasse stops by to appraise their culinary skills.
Episode 14
Finale, Part 2
Feb 25, 200944m
Set in New Orleans, season 5 ends as the winning chef is revealed.
Episode 15
Watch What Happens Reunion
Mar 4, 200944m
Andy Cohen hosts a candid gathering of season five's chefs and judges.