Country of origin United States Original network Bravo Winner Harold Dieterle | No. of episodes 12 No. of contestants 12 Host Katie Lee | |
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Original release March 8 (2006-03-08) – May 24, 2006 (2006-05-24) Judges Tom Colicchio
Gail Simmons Winner Harold Dieterle | ||
Top Chef: San Francisco, originally broadcast simply as Top Chef, is the first season of the American reality television series Top Chef. It was first filmed in San Francisco, California, before concluding in Las Vegas, Nevada. The season premiered on March 8, 2006 and ended on May 24, 2006. The show featured chefs from around the United States living together in one house and competing in a series of culinary challenges. The prizes for the winner of the competition included a feature in Food & Wine Magazine, a showcase at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, a Kenmore Elite kitchen set, and US$100,000. The series was hosted by Katie Lee Joel, in her only season as a host, and judged by chef Tom Colicchio and food writer Gail Simmons. In the season finale, Harold Dieterle was declared the Top Chef, defeating Tiffani Faison.
Contents
Contestants
12 chefs were selected to compete in Top Chef: San Francisco. Tiffani Faison and Stephen Asprinio later returned to compete in Top Chef: All-Stars.
Contestant progress
^Note 1 : The chef did not receive immunity.
^Note 2 : Cynthia withdrew from the competition due to her father's illness.
^Note 3 : Andrea was brought back in Episode 3, after being eliminated once, when Cynthia chose to leave.
^Note 4 : The judges felt nobody had distinguished themselves in the Elimination Challenge, so no winner was named.