Top Chef: Kentucky Explained

Season Number:16
Bgcolour:
  1. BDB2FF
Num Episodes:15
Network:Bravo
Module1:
Host:Padma Lakshmi
Judges:Tom Colicchio
Graham Elliot
Nilou Motamed
Location:Kentucky
Finals Venue:Macau
Num Contestants:18
Winner:Kelsey Barnard Clark
Runner Up:Sara Bradley
Label1:Fan Favorite
Data1:Kelsey Barnard Clark
Prev Season:Colorado
Next Season:All-Stars L.A.
Episode List:List of Top Chef episodes

Top Chef: Kentucky is the sixteenth season of the American reality television series Top Chef. Initial details about the season and its cast were revealed on October 18, 2018.[1] The competition was filmed at various locations in Kentucky, including Louisville, Lexington, and Lake Cumberland.[2] The season finale took place in Macau.[3] Padma Lakshmi returned as host, with Tom Colicchio, Graham Elliot, and Nilou Motamed forming the judging panel.[1] Due to being on maternity leave for the majority of filming, Top Chef regular Gail Simmons did not appear as one of the main judges for the season.[1] [4] Top Chef: Kentucky premiered on December 6, 2018, and concluded on March 14, 2019.[1] In the season finale, Kelsey Barnard Clark was declared the winner over runner-up Sara Bradley.[5] Barnard Clark was also voted Fan Favorite.[6]

Contestants

Fifteen chefs competed in Top Chef: Kentucky.[1] In addition, like the previous season, three returning competitors competed in the Last Chance Kitchen to earn the chance to join the competition: contestants Carrie Baird and Brother Luck, and contestant Jim Smith.[7] Following the sixth episode of Last Chance Kitchen, Luck was selected to join the main cast.

New contestants

NameCurrent Residence
Eric AdjepongWashington, DC
Sara BradleyPaducah, Kentucky
Kelsey Barnard ClarkDothan, Alabama
Edmund "Eddie" KonradPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Pablo LamonMiami Beach, Florida
Natalie MaronskiPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Michelle MinoriSan Francisco, California
Nini NguyenBrooklyn, New York
Brandon RosenSan Mateo, California
Kevin ScharpfDubuque, Iowa
Caitlin SteiningerCincinnati, Ohio
Justin SutherlandSt. Paul, Minnesota
David VianaAsbury Park, New Jersey
Adrienne WrightBoston, Massachusetts
Brian YoungBoston, Massachusetts

Eric Adjepong and Nini Nguyen returned to compete in [8] Sara Bradley returned for .[9]

Returning contestants

NameCurrent ResidenceSeason
Carrie BairdDenver, ColoradoSeason 15
Brother LuckColorado Springs, ColoradoSeason 15
Jim SmithMontgomery, AlabamaSeason 14

Contestant progress

Episode #123456789101112131415
Quickfire Challenge
Winner(s)
Justin
Pablo
Sara
DavidDavidMichelleJustinAdrienneEddieSaraJustinMichelleMichelle
ContestantElimination Challenge Results
1KelseyININHIGHLOW HIGHINWINLOWINLOW IN WINLOWWINNER
2SaraINHIGHINLOW LOW LOW HIGHHIGHLOW HIGHWINLOWWINRUNNER-UP
3EricININ INHIGHWININHIGHINWINWININLOWLOWOUT
4MichelleINININLOW ININLOW WINOUTINHIGHOUT
5AdrienneLOW HIGHINHIGHINHIGHLOW INHIGHLOW LOW OUT
6JustinINININLOW INHIGHHIGHHIGHHIGHLOW OUT
7EddieININHIGHHIGHHIGHWINLOW LOW INOUT
8DavidHIGHHIGHINLOW ININLOW OUT
9BrianININLOW WINLOW LOW OUT
10BrandonINLOW INLOW INOUT
11BrotherOUT
12NiniINWINWINOUT
PabloHIGHLOW LOW OUT
14KevinLOW HIGHOUT
15NatalieWINOUT
16CaitlinOUT

The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge.

Following Episode 6 of Last Chance Kitchen, Brother was introduced as a regular competitor.

Despite Justin making one of the judge's favourite dishes, he did not plate a sufficient number of dishes and was thus ineligible to win.

As a reward for winning the Quickfire Challenge, Eddie did not have to compete in the Elimination Challenge.

Michelle won Last Chance Kitchen and returned to the competition.

(WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned "Top Chef".

(RUNNER-UP) The chef was the runner-up for the season.

(WIN) The chef won the Elimination Challenge.

(HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win.

(IN) The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe.

(LOW) The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated.

(OUT) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge.

Episodes

See main article: List of Top Chef episodes.

References

Notes
  • Footnotes
  • External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: The Trailer for the New Season of Top Chef Is Here! Get an Exclusive Sneak Peek. October 18, 2018. October 18, 2018. Fecteau. Jessica. People.
    2. Web site: Bravo Reveals the Filming Location for the Next Season of Top Chef. February 14, 2018. February 14, 2018. Fecteau. Jessica. People.
    3. Top Chef heads to Kentucky! A sneak peek at season 16. October 18, 2018. October 18, 2018. Gomez. Patrick. Entertainment Weekly.
    4. Web site: Here's Your First Look at 'Top Chef' Season 16 in Kentucky. October 18, 2018. October 19, 2018. Campbell-Schmitt. Adam. Food & Wine.
    5. Web site: 'Top Chef' Kentucky season finale recap: And the winner is.... March 14, 2019. March 14, 2019. Loosemore. Bailey. The Courier-Journal.
    6. Web site: Dothan chef Kelsey Barnard Clark wins 'Top Chef'. March 14, 2019. March 14, 2019. Ussery. Peggy. Dothan Eagle.
    7. Top Chef favorites are headed back to the Last Chance Kitchen — and possibly season 16. November 28, 2018. November 28, 2018. Gomez. Patrick. Entertainment Weekly.
    8. Unpack your knives: Top Chef announces all-star lineup for season 17. December 12, 2019. December 12, 2019. Huff. Lauren. Entertainment Weekly.
    9. Web site: 'Top Chef' Is Back, These Are the All-Stars Competing This Year. January 25, 2023. January 25, 2023. Leasca. Stacey. Food & Wine. January 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230125174157/https://www.foodandwine.com/top-chef-all-stars-season-20-premiere-date-7098988. live.