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• Top Chef is a Bravo reality show on which chefs compete in a weekly series of challenges. They are judged by a panel of professional chefs and food and wine industry celebrities. The show is hosted by chef and model Padma Lakshmi and features chef Tom Colicchio as the contestants' mentor and judge. Other judges' panel regulars include journalist Toby Young and Food & Wine Magazine's Gail Simmons.

  The newest season, Top Chef Masters, pits celebrity chefs against each other. The winner will earn $100,000 for their favorite charity.

• Fast Facts

  1. Airs: Wednesdays at 10:00 pm
  2. Network: Bravo
  3. Current Season: 5
  4. First Aired: March 8, 2006
  5. Starring: Padma Lakshmi, Gail Simmons, Tom Colicchio, Toby Young
  6. A number of guest judges appeared throughout each season, including Rocco DiSpirito, Martha Stewart, Eric Ripert, Emeril Lagasse, Foo Fighters and several others
  7. The season five series finale aired in two parts
  8. The final four contestants of season five were Carla Hall, Stefan Richter, Fabio Viviani and Hosea Rosenberg
  9. The season five finale was held in New OrleansSalon.com: Finale wrap-up: Top Chef (February 26, 2009)
  10. Season five winner: Hosea RosenbergSalon.com: Finale wrap-up: Top Chef (February 26, 2009)

• How it Works

  Each show features an initial "Quickfire Challenge," which provides the winning chef with either immunity from elimination for the week or an advantage going into the week's "Elimination Challenge," which makes up the show's second half. Each season takes place in a different city and has thus far been set in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Chicago and New York City.

• Top Chef Winners

  1. Season 1: Harold Dieterle
  2. Season 2: lan Hall
  3. Season 3: Hung Huynh
  4. Season 4: Stephanie Izard
  5. Season 5: Hosea Rosenberg

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Top Chef Holiday Special | Top Chef Season 2 | Josie Smith Malave | Stephen Asprinio | Hell's Kitchen | The Amazing Race | The Bachelor | Top Chef New York | Toby Young | After the Knife | Top Chef Super Bowl Showdown | Top Chef Masters

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