Top Chef Season 3

Synopsis

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. Another former contestant, Season 2's Carlos Fernandez, is featured on a Yahoo!/Telemundo blog called Sabrosazon in which he presents recipes and writes about Season 3 in Spanish, as well as a Bravo blog called Miami Spice in which he presents recipes in English.

Main Cast

Tom Colicchio

Himself - Head Judge

Age : 61 | Popularity : 3%

Padma Lakshmi

Herself - Host

Age : 53 | Popularity : 3%

Gail Simmons

Herself - Judge

Age : N/A | Popularity : 6%

Ted Allen

Himself - Judge

Age : 58 | Popularity : 3%

Brian Malarkey

Himself - Contestant

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Episodes

Episode 1

13 June 2007 - First Impressions

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

Episode 2

20 June 2007 - Sunny Delights

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

Episode 3

27 June 2007 - Family Favorites

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

Episode 4

11 July 2007 - Cooking by Numbers

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.

Episode 5

18 July 2007 - Latin Lunch

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.

Episode 6

25 July 2007 - Watch What Happens

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

Episode 7

01 August 2007 - Freezer Burn

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.

Episode 8

08 August 2007 - Guilty Pleasures

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.

Episode 9

15 August 2007 - Restaurant Wars

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.

Episode 10

22 August 2007 - Second Helping

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

Episode 11

05 September 2007 - Chef Overboard

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

Episode 12

12 September 2007 - Snacks on a Plane

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

Episode 13

19 September 2007 - Manhattan Project

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.

Episode 14

26 September 2007 - Finale (1)

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

Episode 15

03 October 2007 - Finale (2)

The Top Chef is chosen.

Episode 16

10 October 2007 - Reunion

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

Crew

Department	Role	Name
Production	Executive Producer	Frances Berwick Nan Strait Dave Serwatka Shauna Minoprio Fred Pichel Rich Buhrman Liz Cook Dan Cutforth Andy Cohen Casey Kriley Jane Lipsitz
	Producer	Kevin Kearney Erica Ross Kevin Leffler Christian Homlish Elizabeth Cook Meri Haitkin Shea Spencer Jaymee Johnson Julia Cassidy Tara Siener Scott Shatsky Sue Kolinsky Wade Sheeler Doneen Arquines Gaylen Gawlowski Chris Gallivan Chaz Gray Andrew Wallace Steve Lichtenstein Hillary Olsen Tom Colicchio
Department	Role	Name

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