Season pulse
Episodes
15 episodes
House of Chef-presentatives
The season will include 17 contestants, as in prior seasons. Eric Ripert will replace Toby Young on Top Chef's judging panel. The new chefs introduce themselves by cooking a dish that best represents their home districts while layering in their own signatures.
Outside the Lunch Box
The chefs are asked to do their part to help end childhood obesity and support First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" national initiative by serving a healthy lunch at a local middle school. Guest Judge: White House chef Sam Kass
Capitol Grill
The dreaded desserts take up the Quickfire where the chefs must make a pie from scratch, and then it's off to Capitol Hill where they are tasked with creating a perfect grilled picnic for the interns there
Room Service
Padma's baby is hungry, so tonight's Quickfire requires the contestants to create food to tempt Krishna's budding palate. Next, they are paired together for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the in-room dining kitchen.
Farm Policy
Fresh is best tonight as the chefs gather crabs for the Quickfire, and then travel to a Virginia farm where its bounty will supply the ingredients for dinner.
Cold War
The chefs are divided into teams to concoct entrées in a form best served cold.
Power Lunch
The contestants prepare lunch for the movers and shakers at one of the city's most famous restaurants.
Foreign Affairs
The chefs test their version of Ethiopian cuisine with Top Chef Masters' Marcus Samuelsson, and then must create a dish inspired by one of the foreign embassies there in the district.
Restaurant Wars
The most anticipated and, arguably, the hardest challenge of the competition returns as the remaining chefs divide into two teams to conceive and debut their restaurants.
Covert Cuisine
The chefs are asked to take common recipes and create their own completely original redesigned dish.
Making Concessions
The contestants take on America's favorite pastime when they take over the concession stands at the Washington Nationals' home, Nationals Park.
Gastro-nauts
The chefs are tasked with adding flavor to the food American astronauts eat. The final taste test will take place off-planet.
Finale, Part 1
The competition moves to Singapore as the chefs are winnowed down to the final three.
Finale, Part 2
The remaining three chefs attempt to cook the best meal of each of their lives hoping to be named Top Chef.
Reunion Special
The cast and chefs gather together with, you guessed it, Andy Cohen to review the season and maybe dish a little nonsense with the host.