Miami poster
16 episodes

Top Chef - Miami

First aired Jun 12, 2007Season 3

Top Chef: Miami is the third season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Miami, Florida, and concluded in Aspen, Colorado. The season premiered on Bravo on June 13, 2007 and ended on October 10, 2007. Padma Lakshmi returned with Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and new judge Ted Allen, who will switch off with Simmons throughout the season. First season contestant Lee Anne Wong was brought in as a food consultant and assisted in planning the challenges. Production took place in April and May 2007 in Miami Beach, Florida, with 15 contestants living, and the production activity centered, at the historic Fontainebleau Hotel. The prize money awarded to the Top Chef was $100,000. As with Season 2, the winning recipe from each week's episode of Season 3 is 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.

Episodes

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Episode 1

First Impressions

NR
Jun 13, 200742 min

Getting to know each other is the theme for this first round. The new crop of fifteen chefs arrives in Miami, and then they are given two challenges – one with leftovers – to introduce themselves and their cooking to their fellow contestants and the judges. Guest Judge: Anthony Bourdain. QuickFire Challenge: Create an Amuse-Bouche in 10 Minutes Elimination Challenge: Create a Surf & Turf Dish Using Exotic Ingredients

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Episode 2

Sunny Delights

NR
Jun 20, 200742 min

Tonight's theme is sunshine, and first the contestants must use a product of that sunshine, citrus. Then they are asked to demonstrate their catering skills at an event which requires sunshine, a gourmet BBQ party. Guest Chef: Norman Van Aken QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using Florida Citrus Kingsford Elimination Challenge: Create an Upscale BBQ Dish

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Episode 3

Family Favorites

NR
Jun 27, 200742 min

This week the remaining chefs must first catch fresh seafood, and then put a fresh twist on American dinner staples for members of the Miami Elks Club. Guest Judge: Alfred Portale QuickFire Challenge: Catch & Cook Shellfish Elimination Challenge: Update Classic Dishes into Modern Lower Cholesterol Meals

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Episode 4

Cooking by Numbers

NR
Jul 11, 200742 min

The contestants mix it up with Bombay Sapphire mixologist Jamie Walker, and then ply their trade at a gastronomic society. Barton G. Weiss of Miami's Barton G. the Restaurant serves as guest judge.

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Episode 5

Latin Lunch

NR
Jul 18, 200742 min

Timing is the theme for this round as the 11 remaining chefs are asked to be creative with a time-saving pastry and then serve lunch to clients on a tight schedule. Guest Judge: Maria Frumkin QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using a Frozen Pie Crust. Elimination Challenge: Cater a Latin Lunch for the Cast & Crew of Telemundo's Dame Chocolate.

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Episode 6

Watch What Happens

NR
Jul 25, 200742 min

In a special episode, Bravo's Andy Cohen sits down with past and current contestants to explore their experiences in the competition

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Episode 7

Freezer Burn

NR
Aug 1, 200742 min

The chef's taste buds are put to the test, and then they must "cook" for a frozen challenge. Rocco DiSpirito acts as guest judge.

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Episode 8

Guilty Pleasures

NR
Aug 8, 200742 min

This round's theme is guilty pleasures. First the chefs must work with Summer's guilty institution, ice cream, and then they move on to Miami's night life, but there's a surprise in store for them. Guest Judge: Govind Armstrong QuickFire Challenge: Coldstone Creamery Mix-in Challenge (Create Original Mix-ins for Their Sweet Cream Flavor). Elimination Challenge: Create Late Night Bar food in a Mobile Kitchen.

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Episode 9

Restaurant Wars

NR
Aug 15, 200742 min

The chefs are told that they must create the perfect burger. Then, they must create a new restaurant concept, including a great menu. Chef Daniel Boulud is the guest judge.

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Episode 10

Second Helping

NR
Aug 22, 200742 min

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian guest judges a relay race challenge. The chefs get another try at "Restaurant Wars," continued from last episode.

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Episode 11

Chef Overboard

NR
Sep 5, 200742 min

Chef Michael Schwartz helps to judge challenges that involve a cruise ship buffet and creativity in a grocery store.

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Episode 12

Snacks on a Plane

NR
Sep 12, 200742 min

Jimmy Canora guests on an episode that takes to the skies when the chefs take on the dreaded plane cuisine.

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Episode 13

Manhattan Project

NR
Sep 19, 200742 min

Sirio Maccione guest judges a QuickFire where the chefs must recreate one of his dishes, then they must impress four more chefs, including Andre Soltner, in elimination.

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Episode 14

Finale (1)

NR
Sep 26, 200742 min

The remaining chefs make the move to Aspen, Colorado for the semifinal and the decision of who the final two will be.

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Episode 15

Finale (2)

NR
Oct 3, 200756 min

The Top Chef is chosen.

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Episode 16

Reunion

NR
Oct 10, 200742 min

The cast and contestants get together to reminisce about the season and answer questions.