Top Chef: Los Angeles

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs created flambé dishes in a limited amount of time. The winner received immunity from elimination.

• WINNER: Sam (Espresso Shrimp Flambéed with Sambuca, Roasted Hazelnut & Peanut Paste)

Elimination Challenge: The chefs were required to prepare a dish using the five ingredients provided in a mystery crate. The contestants were separated into two groups and received different crates. The teams took turns serving their dishes to the judges and the other group of contestants.

• Orange Team: Carlos, Elia, Frank, Ilan, Marisa, Michael, Suyai
• Black Team: Betty, Cliff, Emily, Josie, Marcel, Mia, Otto, Sam
  • WINNER: Ilan (Baked Escargot in the Shell)
  • ELIMINATED: Suyai (Braised Potatoes & Artichokes, Garlic Escargot with Cheese Sauce)

Quickfire Challenge: Each chef created a sushi dish in a limited amount of time. The winner received immunity from elimination.

• WINNER: Cliff (Hama Hama Oysters with Ginger, Soy, Mango & Jalapeño; Spot Prawns, Hamachi & Daikon Sushi)

Elimination Challenge: The contestants were split into two teams: Team Vietnam and Team Korea. Each team had to prepare two dishes using the flavors of their assigned country to serve at a charity fundraiser for 1,000 people. The winner received a limited-edition Kyocera KT-300-HIP Kyotop 8.25" ceramic sashimi knife.

• Team Vietnam: Betty, Carlos, Emily, Josie, Mia, Michael, Sam
• Team Korea: Cliff, Elia, Frank, Ilan, Marcel, Marisa, Otto
  • WINNER: Betty
  • WITHDREW: Otto
    • Note: Otto voluntarily withdrew from the show. As Team Korea loaded up their SUV with groceries, Marisa overheard Otto saying that he thought the store cashier neglected to ring up a case of lychees. She later revealed this to Colicchio, who forced Otto to return them to the store. Otto returned to compete in the Elimination Challenge, but announced that he was withdrawing from the competition during the "Judges' Table" segment, citing the drama surrounding the incident as the primary reason for his team's loss.

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to create an original ice cream flavor and serve it at the Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon. The winner received immunity from elimination.

• WINNER: Cliff (Marshmallow with Cookies)

Elimination Challenge: The chefs had to create a dish updating a "childhood classic" to fit the menu of T.G.I. Friday's that would be served to the firemen of South Pasadena. The winning entrée would be featured nationwide on the menu of T.G.I. Friday's.

• WINNER: Betty (Grilled Cheese with Portabello Mushrooms & Roasted Red Pepper Soup)
• ELIMINATED: Emily ("Super Slamming Surf & Turf")

Quickfire Challenge: Each chef made an amuse-bouche dish using $10 of ingredients from a vending machine. The winner received immunity from elimination.

• WINNER: Carlos (Sunflower Seed & Carrot Loaf with Cilantro, Sesame Seeds & Squirt)

Elimination Challenge: The 12 chefs were divided into four teams and were required to create a meal that did not exceed 500 calories (2,100 kJ) to serve at a camp for diabetic and overweight children. The winner received a cookbook written by guest judge Suzanne Goin and an opportunity to collaborate on one of Goin's famed Sunday supper menus for her Lucques restaurant.

• Red Team: Marisa, Mia, Michael
• Orange Team: Carlos, Cliff, Sam
• Black Team: Betty, Frank, Marcel
• White Team: Elia, Ilan, Josie
  • WINNER: Frank (Sausage & Cheese Pizza)
    • Note: At the judges' table, the losing teams made allegations regarding the "bending" or "breaking" of the rules in the Elimination Challenge by members of the winning team. Sam stated that he saw people excessively squirting bottles of olive oil, but refused to name anyone. Mia stated that Betty had used sugar instead of Splenda; a claim that Betty herself later confirmed, explaining that she thought she had not violated the rules because her team would still be under the 500 calories (2,100 kJ) limit. However, the other contestants understood that the rules required that once the calorie calculations had been completed by the nutritionists, the recipes could not be further modified. As a result, Colicchio stated that all the contestants would remain "on probation" and nobody was eliminated.

Quickfire Challenge: Each chef created a dish using offal, the leftover parts of animals.

• WINNER: Sam (Sweetbread & Scallion Beignets, Chinese Five Spice & Sweet Soy Broth)

Elimination Challenge: Working in teams of two, the chefs had to create a six-course lunch for Jennifer Coolidge and 60 of her guests using only the ingredients that were already available in the kitchen. An opportunity to work with Bernstein at the Sagamore Hotel in Miami on the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival.

• First Course: Frank and Marcel
• Second Course: Cliff and Sam
• Third Course: Ilan and Michael
• Fourth Course: Betty and Mia
• Fifth Course: Josie and Marisa
• Sixth Course: Elia and Carlos
  • WINNER: Ilan (Lobster, Shrimp & Mushroom Paella, Fried Softshell Crab)
  • ELIMINATED: Marisa and Josie (Prickly Pear & Coconut Soup, Fennel & Apple Salad, Sautéed Pineapple Salad)

Quickfire Challenge: The remaining chefs created dishes using three different canned foods in 15 minutes. The winners of the challenge were able to skip the Elimination Challenge altogether.

• WINNERS:
  • Sam (Garbanzo & Beet Salad, Crunchy Anchovies with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette)
  • Mia (15 Minute Salad with Garbanzo Beans, Green Beans, Artichoke Hearts & Mint)
  • Ilan (Spinach & Cannellini Bean Salad, Roasted Potatoes & Vienna Sausages)
  • Cliff (Potato Salad, Anchovies & Mandarin Oranges)
  • Frank (Fruit & Coconut Salad with Blueberry Yogurt Cream)

Elimination Challenge: The five chefs who did not win the Quickfire Challenge (Marcel, Elia, Michael, Betty, and Carlos) worked together to make a cutting edge Thanksgiving dinner for the judges,guest judge Anthony Bourdain, and the other Top Chef contestants, using the kitchens in the loft.

• WINNER: Elia (Portobello & Button Mushroom Creme with Walnuts)
• ELIMINATED: Carlos (Salad with Chipotle Peppers, Queso Fresco, Pumpkin Seeds, Butternut Squash Dressing)

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to create an entrée using fresh ingredients from the Redondo Beach Farmers' Market without cooking of any kind. The winner received immunity from elimination.

• WINNER: Marcel (Watermelon & Tomato Trio: Watermelon Steak, Tomato Carpaccio, Nasturtiums & Opal Basil)

Elimination Challenge: The chefs were told by Lakshmi that they had to prepare breakfast for athletes. The cooking environment and available tools were unknown to the contestants until their arrival at the challenge. In the challenge, the chefs cooked for surfers at dawn on the beach using only a fire pit and basic kitchen tools.

• WINNER: Elia ("Organic Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner": Waffle with Ham, Cheese & Fried Eggs)
• ELIMINATED: Frank (Zucchini & Salmon Scramble, Cannoli Cream with Strawberries & Holland Waffle)

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs made a Bailey's Irish Cream mix drink and an accompanying dish. The winner received immunity from elimination.

• WINNER: Cliff (Original Bailey's, Rum, Vodka & Vanilla Bean Cocktail; Steak Tapas, Creme Fraiche Fondue, Nutmeg & Dark Chocolate)

Elimination Challenge: Working in two teams of four, the chefs catered the Los Angeles magazine holiday party at the Warner Bros. movie lot. The winner received a 20-piece set of Global knives.

• Black Team: Cliff, Elia, Mia, Michael
• Orange Team: Betty, Ilan, Marcel, Sam
  • WINNER: Sam
  • WITHDREW: Mia
    • Note: Mia voluntarily withdrew from the competition during the judges' table segment, believing that she was saving Elia from elimination.

Quickfire Challenge: Each chef drew a knife that showed a different color. The chefs then had to create a dish based on the color drawn from the knife block. From this point on, the winner of the Quickfire Challenge no longer received immunity from elimination.

• WINNER: Michael (Orange: Sushi Rice with Salmon & Carrot Chips)

Elimination Challenge: The chefs prepared a seven-course meal, with each course representing one of the Seven Deadly Sins. The sins were drawn from the knife block, but Michael, as the Quickfire winner, was given the opportunity to swap his sin, Lust, for Marcel's Envy. Debi Mazar made a guest appearance, and her favorite chef in Los Angeles, Roberto Ivan, appeared as the guest judge.

• WINNER: Michael (Envy: Trout & Salmon with Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc, Asparagus & Mushrooms)
• ELIMINATED: Betty (Sloth: Trio of Slow Roasted Soups: Carrot Fennel, Sweet White Onion, Beet & Red Pepper)

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs created snacks using three Kraft Foods products: mayonnaise, barbecue sauce or Italian dressing.

• WINNERS: Sam (Southern Kraft Sandwich with Tempura Shrimp, Pickled Peaches & BBQ Aioli) and Marcel (Lamb Kebab with Curried Kraft Mayo, Endives & Tomatoes)

Elimination Challenge: Similar to the standard Restaurant Wars format, the contestants, divided into two teams, devised a concept, interior design, and menu for a raw restaurant space. Sam and Marcel, as the Quickfire winners, chose their teammates.

• Lalalina: Sam, Michael, Ilan
  • First Course: Fried Meatball on Crostini with Parsley Pesto
  • Second Course: Linguini with Walnut Parsley Pesto & Roasted Mushrooms
  • Third Course: Roasted Pork Loin, Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Creamy Polenta
  • Fourth Course: Watermelon "Gnocchi" with Cabrales & Asiago Cream
• M.E.C.: Marcel, Elia, Cliff
  • First Course: Barbecue Coffee Chicken Wing
  • Second Course: Tempura Vegetables & Mozzarella with Cornichon Aioli
  • Third Course: "The M.E.C. Burger" with House Made Chips
  • Fourth Course: Oreo Lemon Pie
    • ELIMINATED: Michael

Quickfire Challenge: The chefs had to prepare a dish using Nestlé chocolatier products.

• WINNER: Sam (Shrimp & Banana with Chocolate Chipotle, Black Bean & Cilantro Pesto Sauces)

Elimination Challenge: The chefs worked together to create a romantic five-course menu for celebratory couples in Santa Barbara. Sam, as the Quickfire Challenge winner, was allowed to choose which course he wanted to execute and which proteins he was going to use. The remaining contestants were not allowed to use the same proteins that Sam chose. Sam elected to cook the first course and use lobster and scallops as his proteins.

• DISQUALIFIED: Cliff (Sirloin with Lentil Purée)
  • Note: After the Elimination Challenge, but before the Judges' Table segment, Cliff, Elia, Ilan and Sam got drunk and decided to forcibly shave Marcel's head. Cliff approached a sleeping Marcel and wrestled him to the ground. Marcel freed himself from Cliff's hold and slept in a bathroom. Ilan videotaped the incident with a video camera borrowed from production and could be heard in the recording encouraging the other contestants to use the clippers on Marcel.[10] This sequence showed Ilan and Elia shaving their heads before deciding to shave Marcel's. However, the editing is misleading as Elia is shown briefly with a full head of hair in the background as Cliff wrestled Marcel. The next day, Cliff was disqualified from the competition, as the show's rules explicitly forbid contestants from touching one another in an aggressive manner. However, it was mentioned that during the judges' deliberation that Cliff's dish was the weakest of all five, and that he likely would have been eliminated at the Judges' Table anyway. Colicchio stated in his blog post for the episode that he was willing to send home all of the contestants involved except for Marcel, holding them all accountable either for their actions that escalated the situation, or their decision not to speak up for Marcel while he was calling for help. However, the producers intervened, not wanting to end the season on a sour note and give audiences an anticlimactic ending giving the title of Top Chef to Marcel by default.[11]

Elimination Challenge: Each chef made two dishes based on classic Hawaiian dishes with a twist. Each chef had to combine their signature style with traditional Hawaiian flavors and cuisine.

• WINNERS: Marcel (Hamachi Poke with Pineapple Poi; Salmon Lomi Lomi with Tomato Foam, Scallion Oil, Chili Water & Lotus Root Chip) and Ilan (Morcilla & Squid Laulau; Saffron Haupia Frita)
• ELIMINATED: Sam (Opakapaka Poke with Sea Beans; Mascarpone Mousse with Hawaiian Salted Coconut Milk & Citrus Tuile) and Elia (Snapper Steamed in Ti Leaves; Ahi Poke with Olives, Capers & Lemon Confit)

• Elimination Challenge: The chefs prepared a five-course meal to be served to the usual judges' panel and five additional guest judges at one of two restaurants in the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Ilan cooked at Donatoni's Restaurant, while Marcel cooked at Imari Restaurant. Previously eliminated contestants Sam, Elia, Michael, Betty, Mia, and Frank were asked to return as potential sous chefs for Ilan and Marcel. Each returnee was asked which finalist they would prefer to work with. Elia, Michael, and Betty chose Ilan. Sam, Mia, and Frank chose Marcel. Ilan and Marcel were then allowed to choose two chefs. Marcel chose Sam and Michael, and Ilan chose Elia and Betty.
• Ilan:
  • First Course: Pincho of Pan Con Tomate with Angulas, Osetra Caviar & Tomatillos
  • Second Course: Macadamia Nut Gazpacho with Pan Roasted Moi
  • Third Course: Seared Squab with Foie Gras, Shrimp, Braised Leeks & Lobster Sauce
  • Fourth Course: Braised & Grilled Beef Short Rib with Mushrooms & Romesco Sauce
  • Fifth Course: Tangelo Soup with Hawaiian Fruit, Surinam Cherry Sorbet & Bay Leaf Fritter
• Marcel:
  • First Course: Sea Urchin & Meyer Lemon Gelee with Fennel Cream, Caviar & Kalamata Oil
  • Second Course: Cucumber & Radish Salad with Citrus Yuzu Vinaigrette
  • Third Course: Hearts of Palm & Maitake Mushrooms with Kaffir Lime Sauce & Sea Beans
  • Fourth Course: North Short Strip Loin with Garlic Purée, Crispy Taro Ball & Micro Greens
  • Fifth Course: Blini with Kona Coffee Caviar & Hawaiian Chocolate Mousse
    • WINNER: Ilan
    • RUNNER-UP: Marcel