Chicago poster
15 episodes

Top Chef - Chicago

First aired Mar 11, 2008Season 4

Top Chef: Chicago is the fourth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Chicago, Illinois, and concluded in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The prize money awarded to the Top Chef was $100,000. The season premiered on Bravo on March 12, 2008 and ended on June 11, 2008.

Episodes

Anything You Can Cook I Can Cook Better still

Episode 1

Anything You Can Cook I Can Cook Better

NR
Mar 12, 200842 min

The 16 new contestants face their first QuickFire and Elimination rounds using themes from Chicago's regional cuisine.

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Episode 2

Zoo Food

NR
Mar 19, 200842 min

A farmers' market takes prominence in this week's QuickFire, and an exotic location is the setting for the Elimination round as the remaining chefs cook for guest judge Wylie Dufresne.

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Episode 3

Block Party

NR
Mar 26, 200842 min

The contestants mix it up with Rick Bayless while creating a fiesta for a community.

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Episode 4

Film Food

7.0
Apr 2, 200842 min1 votes

The remaining chefs demonstrate their aptitude with knives, and then help Richard Roeper throw a film-themed dinner. Daniel Boulud guest judges.

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Episode 5

The Elements

NR
Apr 9, 200842 min

The dreaded taste test is back, and even before the chefs recover from it they must cater a charity event. Ming Tsai Guest Judges this week.

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Episode 6

Tailgating

NR
Apr 16, 200842 min

Simple pleasures is the theme for tonight's round as the chefs must create a dish that complements beer, and then throw a tailgate extravaganza for fans of the local team. Guest Judge: Paul Kahan – Elimination Challenge Guest Judge: Koren Grieveson – QuickFire Challenge QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish that Pairs Perfectly with Beer Elimination Challenge: Cater a Tailgating Party for Chicago Bears Fans

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Episode 7

Improv

NR
Apr 23, 200842 min

The chefs begin with a sugary challenge, and then move to the historic Second City Theatre where their improvisational skills will be tested by masters of the art – one of the resident troupes. Johnny Iuzzini from Jean Georges restaurant guest judges.

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Episode 8

Common Threads

NR
Apr 30, 200842 min

The microwaves are back, and this time the contestants are to make a healthy meal using a single main ingredient. Chef Art Smith, owner of Table 52 in Chicago performs guest judge duties.

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Episode 9

Wedding Wars

NR
May 7, 200842 min

The remaining chefs' knife skills are challenged again, followed by a wedding reception challenge which might bring the blades out for an entirely different purpose.

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Episode 10

Serve and Protect

NR
May 14, 200842 min

Salad, one of the least respected dishes by chefs, takes center stage tonight as the contestants are challenged to reformulate it, then they continue with the healthy kick by trimming calories and all things bad from a classic entrée.

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Episode 11

Restaurant Wars

NR
May 21, 200842 min

It's all about service tonight as the chefs work the line during a breakfast rush at a diner, and then create their own restaurants from scratch. Washington, D.C. Chef and restaurant owner José Andrés guest judges. QuickFire Challenge: Work a Short Order Egg Station Elimination Challenge: Restaurant Wars Guest Head Judge: Anthony Bourdain

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Episode 12

High Steaks

NR
May 28, 200842 min

The remaining chefs' butcher skills are tested, and then they must use the cut of meat they made. Guest judge Rick Tramonto, a Chicago chef and restaurant entrepreneur.

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Episode 13

Puerto Rico

NR
Jun 4, 200842 min

There are four chefs and only three spots for the final round, and the contestants know it as they travel to Puerto Rico for the next two challenges. Guest Judge - Wilo Benet QuickFire Challenge: Make Two Frituras featuring Plantains Elimination Challenge: Use a Whole Pig to create Dishes for a Governor's Mansion Event

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Episode 14

Finale

NR
Jun 11, 200842 min

The finalists cook "the most important meal of their lives" for the judges to determine which will be crowned Top Chef. Guest Judges/Sous Chefs: April Bloomfield of The Spotted Pig Dan Barber of Blue Hill and Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin Restaurant Special Guest Judges: Alfredo Ayala and Tim Zagat Final Challenge: Create a traditional four course tasting menu

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Episode 15

Reunion

NR
Jun 18, 200842 min

Season four cast and judges gather to reminisce and learn the winner of the fan favorite contest.