Episode
Top Chef: Anything You Can Cook I Can Cook Better
Overview
The 16 new contestants face their first QuickFire and Elimination rounds using themes from Chicago's regional cuisine.
Details
- Series
- Top Chef
- Season
- Season 4
- Episode
- Episode 1
- Air date
- 2008-03-12
- Runtime
- 42 min
Episode context
Anything You Can Cook I Can Cook Better is Episode 1 in Chicago of Top Chef. It aired on 2008-03-12. The runtime is 42 min.
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More episodes from this season
Episode 3: Block Party
The contestants mix it up with Rick Bayless while creating a fiesta for a community.
Episode 4: Film Food
The remaining chefs demonstrate their aptitude with knives, and then help Richard Roeper throw a film-themed dinner. Daniel Boulud guest judges.
Episode 5: The Elements
The dreaded taste test is back, and even before the chefs recover from it they must cater a charity event. Ming Tsai Guest Judges this week.
Episode 6: Tailgating
Simple pleasures is the theme for tonight's round as the chefs must create a dish that complements beer, and then throw a tailgate extravaganza for fans of the local team.
Guest Judge: Paul Kahan – Elimination Challenge
Guest Judge: Koren Grieveson – QuickFire Challenge
QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish that Pairs Perfectly with Beer
Elimination Challenge: Cater a Tailgating Party for Chicago Bears Fans
Episode 7: Improv
The chefs begin with a sugary challenge, and then move to the historic Second City Theatre where their improvisational skills will be tested by masters of the art – one of the resident troupes. Johnny Iuzzini from Jean Georges restaurant guest judges.
Episode 8: Common Threads
The microwaves are back, and this time the contestants are to make a healthy meal using a single main ingredient. Chef Art Smith, owner of Table 52 in Chicago performs guest judge duties.
Episode 9: Wedding Wars
The remaining chefs' knife skills are challenged again, followed by a wedding reception challenge which might bring the blades out for an entirely different purpose.
Episode 10: Serve and Protect
Salad, one of the least respected dishes by chefs, takes center stage tonight as the contestants are challenged to reformulate it, then they continue with the healthy kick by trimming calories and all things bad from a classic entrée.
Episode 11: Restaurant Wars
It's all about service tonight as the chefs work the line during a breakfast rush at a diner, and then create their own restaurants from scratch. Washington, D.C. Chef and restaurant owner José Andrés guest judges.
QuickFire Challenge: Work a Short Order Egg Station
Elimination Challenge: Restaurant Wars
Guest Head Judge: Anthony Bourdain
Episode 12: High Steaks
The remaining chefs' butcher skills are tested, and then they must use the cut of meat they made. Guest judge Rick Tramonto, a Chicago chef and restaurant entrepreneur.