Top Chef: Chicago Explained

Season Number:4
Bgcolour:
  1. C5CA30
Num Episodes:15
Network:Bravo
Module1:
Host:Padma Lakshmi
Judges:Tom Colicchio
Gail Simmons
Ted Allen
Location:Chicago, Illinois
Finals Venue:San Juan, Puerto Rico
Num Contestants:16
Winner:Stephanie Izard
Runner Up:Lisa Fernandes
Richard Blais
Label1:Fan Favorite
Data1:Stephanie Izard
Prev Season:Miami
Next Season:New York
Episode List:List of Top Chef episodes

Top Chef: Chicago is the fourth season of the American reality television series Top Chef. It was first filmed in Chicago, Illinois before concluding in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The season premiered on Bravo on March 12, 2008, and ended on June 18, 2008.[1] In the season finale, Stephanie Izard was declared the winner over runners-up Lisa Fernandes and Richard Blais.[2] Izard was also voted Fan Favorite.[3]

Contestants

Sixteen chefs competed in Top Chef: Chicago.[4]

NameHometownCurrent ResidenceAge
Zoi AntonitsasSeattle, WashingtonSan Francisco, California30
Jennifer BiestyBrooklyn, New YorkSan Francisco, California35
Richard BlaisUniondale, New YorkAtlanta, Georgia35
Valerie BolonChicago, Illinois32
Nikki CasconeNew York, New York35
Andrew D'AmbrosiFort Lauderdale, FloridaNew York, New York30
Lisa FernandesToronto, OntarioNew York, New York27
Erik HopfingerChappaqua, New YorkSan Francisco, California38
Stephanie IzardStamford, ConnecticutChicago, Illinois31
Antonia LofasoLos Angeles, California31
Spike MendelsohnClearwater Beach, FloridaWashington, D.C.27
Nimma OsmanPeachtree City, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia26
Mark SimmonsInvercargill, New ZealandNew York, New York29
Ryan ScottLos Banos, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California28
Dale TaldeChicago, IllinoisNew York, New York29
Manuel TrevinoLaredo, TexasNew York, New York33

Richard Blais, Antonia Lofaso, Spike Mendelsohn, and Dale Talde returned to compete in .[5] Blais, Lofaso, Talde and Stephanie Izard later competed in Top Chef Duels.[6] Lisa Fernandes returned for [7]

Contestant progress

Episode #1234567891011121314
Quickfire Challenge
Winner(s)
Richard
Mark
Jennifer
Antonia
Spike
Dale
Ryan
Erik
MarkRichardDaleAntoniaJenniferRichardAntoniaAndrew
Antonia
Richard
Stephanie
SpikeAntoniaSpikeStephanie
ContestantElimination Challenge Results
1StephanieWIN LOW WINHIGH HIGH HIGH LOW LOW WIN HIGHWIN WIN HIGH WINNER
2LisaIN HIGH IN (+)HIGH WININ LOW LOW LOW LOWLOW LOW LOW
RichardHIGH IN IN (+)WIN LOWIN WIN IN WIN INHIGH HIGH WIN
4Antonia HIGH INHIGH LOWLOW HIGH LOW WIN HIGHIN HIGH HIGH OUT
5SpikeIN LOW IN (-)LOW LOW IN HIGH IN LOWLOWLOWOUT
6DaleIN LOW IN (-)HIGH HIGH WINWININ LOWWINOUT
7AndrewIN WIN IN (-)HIGH LOWIN HIGH HIGH HIGHOUT
8NikkiHIGH LOW IN (+)IN IN LOW IN HIGH OUT
9MarkLOW HIGH IN (+)IN LOW LOW IN OUT
10JenniferIN HIGH IN (-)IN IN IN OUT
11RyanLOW IN LOW IN IN OUT
12ZoiIN HIGH LOW LOWOUT
13ManuelIN HIGH IN (+)OUT
14ErikLOWIN OUT
15ValerieIN OUT
16NimmaOUT

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

Episode 1's Quickfire Challenge resulted in the 16 contestants being split into two groups of 8: the winners and losers. No immunity was given to the winners. This was done for the purpose of the head-to-head cook-off in the Elimination Challenge.

Richard was originally awarded the win by the judges. Although he gave the win to Stephanie, and she shared the prize, he is considered the sole winner of the challenge, according to the Bravo website.

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

(RUNNER-UP) The chef was a 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: 'Top Chef' cooks up a move to Chicago. July 15, 2007. July 15, 2007. Chicago Tribune.
    2. Web site: Stephanie Is Named First Female Top Chef. June 12, 2008. March 10, 2017. People.
    3. Web site: Flashback Friday: A Look Back at Some of Our Favorite Female 'Top Chef' Contestants. June 24, 2016. March 10, 2017. Eisenberg. Dana. Mediaite.
    4. Web site: Top Chef: Meet the Season 4 Contestants. January 23, 2008. March 10, 2017. Williams. Don. BuddyTV.
    5. Web site: 'Top Chef All-Stars' Cast is Announced!. October 8, 2010. March 10, 2017. Reyhani. Monica A.. The Daily Dish.
    6. Web site: Bravo's 'Top Chef Duels' Lands Premiere Date, Celebrity Guests (Exclusive). June 4, 2014. December 11, 2019. Ng. Philiana. The Hollywood Reporter.
    7. Unpack your knives: Top Chef announces all-star lineup for season 17. December 12, 2019. December 12, 2019. Huff. Lauren. Entertainment Weekly.