Thanksgiving
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.
More from Los Angeles
Episode 1
Into the Fire
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.
Episode 2
Eastern Promise
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.
Episode 3
Food for the People
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.
Episode 4
Less is More
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.
Episode 5
Social Service
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.
Episode 7
The Raw and the Cooked
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.
