Top Chef: Masters (season 3)
Encyclopedia
The third season of the American reality competition show Top Chef Masters
was announced on March 2, 2011. In addition to the announcement, it was announced that celebrity chef Curtis Stone
would serve as the new host. Food critic and author Ruth Reichl
also joined as a new series judge. The season premiered on April 6, 2011 with 12 award-winning chefs competing against each other in weekly challenges. Unlike previous seasons, the chefs were not judged on a five-star rating system, but in elimination-style challenges similar to the format of the original Top Chef series.
: Hugh was reinstated in Episode 2, after being eliminated in the previous episode.
: John S. withdrew from the competition due to a personal emergency.
Top Chef Masters
Top Chef Masters is an American reality competition show currently broadcast on the cable television network Bravo. It is a spinoff of Bravo's hit show Top Chef. In the series, 24 world-renowned chefs compete against each other in weekly challenges...
was announced on March 2, 2011. In addition to the announcement, it was announced that celebrity chef Curtis Stone
Curtis Stone
Curtis Stone is an Australian celebrity chef, author and television personality, nicknamed "The Quiet Terminator" by fans following his performance on The Celebrity Apprentice 3.-Background:...
would serve as the new host. Food critic and author Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl - pronounced RYE-chil - is an American food writer, co-producer of PBS's Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, culinary editor for the Modern Library, host of PBS's Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth, and the last editor-in-chief of the now shuttered Gourmet magazine...
also joined as a new series judge. The season premiered on April 6, 2011 with 12 award-winning chefs competing against each other in weekly challenges. Unlike previous seasons, the chefs were not judged on a five-star rating system, but in elimination-style challenges similar to the format of the original Top Chef series.
Master Contestants
12 chefs competed in this season of Top Chef Masters. In the order eliminated:Hugh Acheson — Five & Ten, The National, and Gosford Wine (Athens, GA)(returned to competition following Sedlar's withdrawal)- John Rivera Sedlar — Playa (Los Angeles, CA) (withdrew prior to episode 2)
- Sue Zemanick — Gautreau's (New Orleans, LA)
- John Currence — City Grocery Restaurant Group (Oxford, MS)
- Suvir Saran — Dévi (New York, NY)
- George Mendes — Aldea (New York, NY)
- Alessandro "Alex" StrattaAlessandro StrattaAlessandro Stratta is a celebrity chef and restaurateur of mixed Italian and French heritage. Stratta played the role of Iron Chef Italian on the television show Iron Chef USA...
— Alex and Stratta (Las Vegas, NV) - Celina Tio — Julian Restaurant (Kansas City, MO)
- Hugh Acheson — Five & Ten, The National, Gosford Wine (Athens, GA) and Empire State South (Atlanta, GA)
- Naomi Pomeroy — Beast (Portland, OR)
- Traci Des JardinsTraci Des JardinsTraci Des Jardins is an American chef and restaurateur who co-owns Jardinière, a French influenced California fine-dining restaurant in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco, California; chef/partner of Public House, a sports pub serving local, sustainable classic pub food near AT&T Park;...
— Jardinière, Public House, Manzanita and Mijita Cocina Mexicana (San Francisco, CA) -- Runner-up - Mary Sue MillikenMary Sue MillikenMary Sue Milliken is an American chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and radio and TV personality working mostly on Latin cuisine in the United States.- Restaurants :...
— Border Grill Restaurants and Truck (Los Angeles, CA) -- Runner-up - Floyd Cardoz — North End Grill, El Verano, Tabla, Union Square Hospitality Group (New York, NY) -- Winner
Contestant Progress
| Episode | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Finale | Cumulative Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quickfire Winner |
Traci | John C. | Hugh | Traci | Naomi | Traci | Hugh | Hugh | Traci | None | |
| Floyd | IN (-) | HIGH | IN | WIN | HIGH | LOW | HIGH | HIGH | LOW | WINNER | $110,000 |
| LOW | WIN | LOW | LOW | WIN | HIGH | HIGH | WIN | WIN | $40,000 | ||
| Traci | IN (-) | IN | IN | IN | HIGH | WIN | LOW | LOW | LOW | $30,000 | |
| Naomi | HIGH | IN | WIN | HIGH | IN | HIGH | WIN | LOW | OUT | $26,800 | |
| Hugh | OUT | IN | IN | IN | IN | HIGH | LOW | OUT | $15,000 | ||
| Celina | IN (+) | IN | LOW | IN | LOW | LOW | OUT | ||||
| Alex | WIN | LOW | IN | LOW | LOW | OUT | $10,000 | ||||
| George | IN (-) | IN | IN | HIGH | OUT | ||||||
| Suvir | IN (-) | LOW | HIGH | OUT | $1,700 | ||||||
| IN (+) | HIGH | OUT | $5,000 | ||||||||
| Sue | IN (+) | OUT | |||||||||
| IN (+) | WD | ||||||||||
: Hugh was reinstated in Episode 2, after being eliminated in the previous episode.
: John S. withdrew from the competition due to a personal emergency.
- (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned Top Chef: Master.
- (RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season.
- (WIN) The chef won that episode's Elimination Challenge.
- (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win.
- (IN) The chef neither won nor lost that week's Elimination Challenge. They also were not up to be eliminated.
- [IN (+)] The chef won a pair or team challenge but was not chosen as one of the judges' favorites.
- [IN (-)] The chef lost a pair or team challenge but was not selected as one of the judges' least favorites.
- (LOW) The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated.
- (WD) The chef withdrew from the competition.
- (OUT) The chef lost that week's Elimination Challenge and was eliminated.
Episodes
In each episode, the chefs compete to win money for their charity. The Elimination Round winners are awarded cash donations ($10,000) for their charities. Each episode consists of a Quickfire and an Elimination challenge. The Quickfire is a short, simple challenge that can vary from cooking, tasting or a food-related task (e.g., peeling a certain amount of apples to certain quality standard in a limited amount of time). The winner(s) of the Quickfire Challenge receive $5,000 for their charity. During the initial episodes of the season, the winner is usually guaranteed immunity from being sent home that week. The Elimination challenge is a more complex challenge which usually requires cooking a meal for many people with certain requirements. Unlike previous seasons of Top Chef Masters, the dishes are no longer rated out of a possible five stars. The star scoring system is replaced with the elimination format of the original Top Chef series. Each week, one or more guest judges join the show to evaluate both the Quickfire and Elimination challenges. Each week's elimination is announced in a segment called the "Critics' Table." One or more contestants are eliminated in each episode until the finale where one chef is crowned Top Chef Master. The winning chef receives $100,000 for his or her designated charity.Episode 1: Restaurant Wars
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are split into pairs, and both select a box containing a secret ingredient off of a shelf. Each chef must make a dish with both of the ingredients. A top and a bottom is chosen from each pair, and one overall winner is chosen. The overall winner receives immunity from elimination.
- Top: Floyd, George, Hugh, Mary Sue, Suvir, Traci
- Bottom: Alex, Celina, John C., John S., Naomi, Sue
- WINNER: Traci (Celery Salad with Peanut Butter Vinaigrette; Licorice and Orange Salad)
- Elimination Challenge: Following the standard Top Chef Restaurant Wars format, the 12 chefs split into two teams; the chefs on the top for the Quickfire Challenge forms one team (Team "Mosaic"), while the chefs on the bottom forms the other (Team "Leela"). Each team must create a restaurant name, concept, and menu. The best restaurant is selected by the diners.
- WINNING TEAM: Leela
-
-
- WINNER: Alex (Celery Root, Potato and Spinach Fricassée)
- ELIMINATED: Hugh (Scallops with Grits, Leeks, Scallions, Peppers and Pancetta)
- Guest Judge: Danyelle Freeman (Elimination Challenge)
- Original Airdate: April 6, 2011
-
Episode 2: Everything Old is New Again
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create a meatball dish using a meat grinderMeat grinderA meat grinder or meat mincer is a kitchen appliance for grinding, fine mincing or mixing raw or cooked meat, fish, vegetables or similar food. It replaces tools like the mincing knife, for example, which has been used to produce minced meat, filling etc. The producer puts the minced food into a...
. The winner receives immunity from elimination.- Top: John C., Sue, Suvir
- Bottom: Floyd, George, Hugh
- WINNER: John C. (Vietnamese Chicken Meatball)
- Elimination Challenge: The chefs are tasked with putting a modern spin on a classic '60s dish.
- WINNER: Mary Sue (Deviled Eggs - Japanese Style Poached Egg with Umeboshi and Mustard Miso Mayonnaise)
- ELIMINATED: Sue (Duck á l'Orange - Crispy Duck Breast, Spicy Blood Orange Gastrique and Pineapple Mango Salad)
- WITHDREW: John S.
- Guest Judges: KelisKelisKelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
(Quickfire Challenge), Christina HendricksChristina HendricksChristina Rene Hendricks is an actress known for her role as Joan Holloway in the AMC cable television series Mad Men, and as Saffron in Fox's short-lived series Firefly. Hendricks was named "the sexiest woman in the world" in 2010 in a poll of female readers taken by Esquire magazine.-Personal...
, Geoffrey ArendGeoffrey Arend-Life and career:Arend was born in the Manhattan borough of New York City, to a Caucasian father and a Pakistani mother. He graduated from New York City's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in 1996. In 2000, he began providing voices for video games such as Daria's...
(Elimination Challenge) - Original Airdate: April 13, 2011
Episode 3: Diners to Donors
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create an appetizing dish using various bugs and critters. The overall winner receives immunity from elimination.
- Top: Hugh, Mary Sue
- Bottom: George, Suvir
- WINNER: Hugh (Tempura Fried Crickets, Sunchoke and Carrot Purée, Blood Orange Vinaigrette)
- Elimination Challenge: Working as one group, the chefs must cook a 10-course dinner to raise money for their charities.
- WINNER: Naomi (Celery Velouté with Salsa Verde and Lemon Oil)
- ELIMINATED: John C. (Roasted Shiitake and Prosciutto Risotto with Pine Nuts and Paprika)
- Guest Judges: Ruth EnglandRuth EnglandRuth England is a British television presenter and actress. Currently, she stars in the Discovery Channel show Man, Woman, Wild with her husband Mykel Hawke, a former Army Special Forces officer...
, Mykel HawkeMykel HawkeMykel "Myke" Hawke is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer. He is best known for his role in the Discovery Channel series Man, Woman, Wild, where he co-stars with his wife, Ruth England, a British television presenter and actress. He is the author of several books, most recently Hawke's...
(Quickfire Challenge), Alan Sytsma (Elimination Challenge) - Original Airdate: April 20, 2011
Episode 4: Biggest Loser
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs are must create a great cheese dish in only 12 minutes. The overall winner receives immunity from elimination.
- Top: Naomi, Traci
- Bottom: Floyd, George
- WINNER: Traci (Colombier and Prosciutto Carpaccio, Arugula and Croutons)
- Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create a breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert that does not exceed 1500 calories for the trainers and contestants of The Biggest LoserThe Biggest Loser: Couples 4The Biggest Loser: Couples 4 is the eleventh season of the NBC reality television series entitled The Biggest Loser. The contestants competed to win a $250,000 prize, which was awarded to Olivia Ward, the contestant with the highest percentage of weight loss. It premiered on January 4, 2011...
.- WINNER: Floyd (Buffalo Meatball, Farro, Spinach, Cheese, Tomato Sauce and Asparagus)
- ELIMINATED: Suvir (Veggie Burger and Asian Slaw)
- Guest Judges: Norbert Wabnig (Quickfire Challenge), Alan Sytsma, Danyelle Freeman (Elimination Challenge)
- Original Airdate: April 27, 2011
Episode 5: Would You Like Fries with That?
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create an appetizer that costs less than a dollar.
- Top: Alex, Celina, Naomi
- Bottom: George, Mary Sue
- WINNER: Naomi
- Elimination Challenge: In two shifts, run the fast food restaurant, Farmer BoysFarmer BoysFarmer Boys is a quick service restaurant chain in the Southern California area. It is based in Riverside, California.Farmer Boys describes itself as a quick service restaurant serving freshly prepared foods with casual dining style service, combined with drive-through service...
.- WINNER: Mary Sue
- ELIMINATED: George (Pork and Chorizo Skewer with Clam, Cucumber and Olive Side)
- Guest Judges: Rico Gagliano, Brendan Francis Newnam (Quickfire), Alan Sytsma (Elimination)
- Original Airdate: May 4, 2011
Episode 6: I'm With the Band
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create a dish in under seven minutes.
- WINNER: Traci (Tenderloin Beef Carpaccio, Truffle, Maitake Mushroom and Balsamic)
- Elimination Challenge: The chefs must cook an entire family style meal for Maroon 5Maroon 5Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
in an RV.- WINNING TEAM: Black Team
- WINNER: Traci (Japanese Style Steak, Miso Braised Daikon, Cucumber and Pea Shoot Salad)
- ELIMINATED: Alex (Penne with Broccolini, Tomato and Garlic; Enchiladas with Onion and Seitan; Coconut-Almond Tapioca with Grapes; Breaded Turkey Cutlets)
- WINNING TEAM: Black Team
- Guest Judges: Gail SimmonsGail SimmonsGail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer and television personality, and is the Special Projects Director with Food & Wine magazine...
(Elimination Challenge) - Original Airdate: May 11, 2011
Episode 7: Date Night
- Quickfire Challenge: In an updated version of the blindfolded taste challenge, the chefs compete in a four-round competition using their senses. First, the chefs must identify five ingredients through taste while wearing a blindfold, nose clip, and headphones. The next rounds involve identification through smell, touch, and hearing.
- WINNER: Hugh
- Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create a six-course meal that corresponds to moments in a couple's relationship as the man prepares to propose.
- WINNER: Naomi (Porcini-Braised Chicken Thigh with Sweet Potatoes Two Ways)
- ELIMINATED: Celina (Soft Pretzel with Pale Ale Cheese Sauce, Frisée Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette)
- Guest Judges: Gail SimmonsGail SimmonsGail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer and television personality, and is the Special Projects Director with Food & Wine magazine...
, Gael GreeneGael GreeneGael Greene is an American restaurant critic, author and novelist. She became New York magazine's restaurant critic in fall, 1968 at a time when most New Yorkers were unsophisticated about food and there were few chefs anyone knew by name. She was a passionate early "foodie" before that word was...
(Elimination Challenge) - Original Airdate: May 18, 2011
Episode 8: Blinded Me with Science
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs were required to use a microwave ovenMicrowave ovenA microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that heats food by dielectric heating, using microwave radiation to heat polarized molecules within the food...
to create a breakfast dish.- Top: Floyd, Hugh
- Bottom: Mary Sue, Traci
- WINNER: Hugh (Baked Egg, Chanterelles, Bacon and Tomato)
- Elimination Challenge: The chefs must prepare a dish that demonstrates a scientific principle (e.g. elasticity, acidity) and present their creations at an edible science fair. The chefs' cooking utensils were replaced with traditional lab equipment, such as Bunsen burners, test tubes, and laboratory flasks.
- WINNER: Mary Sue (Viscosity - Dulce de Leche Churros, Chocolate Mousse and Spiced Café de Olla)
- ELIMINATED: Hugh (Emulsion - Fried Okra Salad with Tomato, Fennel, Bacon and Green Goddess Dressing)
- Guest Judges: Frances CallierFrances CallierEleanor Frances Callier , better known as Frances Callier, is an American actress and comedian. Her television credits include According to Jim, My Name Is Earl, Frasier, and Curb Your Enthusiasm...
, Angela V. SheltonAngela V. SheltonAngela V. Shelton is an American comedian and actress. Her television credits include Mr. Show with Bob and David, Grounded for Life, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. She is also the voice of the bonus villain Calypso in the Spider-Man 3 video game. She is also one half of the duo Frangela, the...
(Quickfire Challenge), Padma LakshmiPadma LakshmiPadma Parvati Lakshmi also Padma, Lady Rushdie is an American cookbook author, actress, model and television host. She has been the host of the US reality television program Top Chef since season two in 2006, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for...
(Elimination Challenge) - Original Airdate: June 1, 2011
Episode 9: A Soldier's Story
- Quickfire Challenge: The chefs were challenged to cook a dish alongside a "stranger" while separated by a screen; not knowing that the stranger was a relative. The dishes were judged on how similar the dishes looked and tasted.
- Top: Naomi, Traci
- Bottom: Floyd, Mary Sue
- WINNER: Traci (Halibut with Asparagus in Brown Butter Balsamic Vinaigrette)
- Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create a homecoming meal for military servicemen returning from overseas.
- WINNER: Mary Sue (Tomatillo Barbecue Ribs and Avocado Corn Relish with Potato and Rajas; Apple and Cream Cheese Bread Pudding with Crema)
- ELIMINATED: Naomi (Barbecue Pork, Prawn and Cucumber Rice Salad, Iceberg Wedge with Tuna Poke; Panna Cotta with Caramelized Pineapple and Ginger Tuile)
- Guest Judges: Danyelle Freeman (Elimination Challenge)
- Original Airdate: June 8, 2011
Episode 10: Finale - My Life as a Chef
- Final Challenge:
- Floyd:
- Wild Mushroom Upma Polenta with Kokum and Coconut Milk
- Rice Flaked Snapper and Tomato-Fennel Broth with Carrots
- RendangRendangRendang is a dish which originated from the Minangkabau ethnic group of Indonesia, and is now commonly served across the country. One of the characteristic foods of Minangkabau culture, it is served at ceremonial occasions and to honour guests...
2 Ways: Oxtail and Short Ribs, Tapioca Pilaf with Diced Potato and Peanuts
- Mary Sue:
- Asian Steak Tartare
- Shrimp and Chervil Mousse Stuffed Rigatoni, Crab and Shrimp Salpicon
- Lemon Soufflé with Rhubarb Compote, Lemon Hazelnut Meringue and Ice Cream
- Traci:
- Shrimp Creole
- Roasted Quail Salad with Sweetbreads, Mushrooms and Pancetta
- Duo of Duck: Crisp Duck Béarnaise and Braised Duck Leg Salad
- WINNER: Floyd
- RUNNERS-UP: Mary Sue and Traci
- Floyd:
- Guest Judges: Gael GreeneGael GreeneGael Greene is an American restaurant critic, author and novelist. She became New York magazine's restaurant critic in fall, 1968 at a time when most New Yorkers were unsophisticated about food and there were few chefs anyone knew by name. She was a passionate early "foodie" before that word was...
- Original Airdate: June 15, 2011