15 episodesFirst aired 12 November 2008
Top Chef: New York is the fifth season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in New York City, New York, and concluded in New Orleans, Louisiana. The season premiered on Bravo on November 12, 2008 and ended on March 4, 2009. The prize money awarded to the Top Chef was $100,000.
E1Nov 200855m
One chef is eliminated in a three-round quickfire involving apples. The remaining chefs create dishes representing the ethnic cuisines of several New York neighborhoods.
E2Nov 200842m
After re-inventing the hot dog for the quickfire challenge, the chefs cook and serve lunch at Tom's flagship restaurant, Craft.
E3Nov 200842m
For the quickfire, the chefs recreate dishes from the Top Chef cookbook. In the elimination challenge, they cook Thanksgiving dinner for the Foo Fighters at the band's tour stop in Syracuse, N.Y.
E4Dec 200842m
After creating a breakfast amuse-bouche for the quickfire, the contestants compete in a live food demonstration challenge in order to earn a booking on "Today."
E5Dec 200855m
For the quickfire, chefs must identify ingredients in a dish. For the elimination challenge, the contestants cater a bridal shower for judge Gail Simmons.
E6Dec 200855m
Domestic guru Martha Stewart oversees the quick fire challenge in this holiday-themed edition. Then, actress Natasha Richardson is the guest judge when the cooks cater a Christmas cocktail party in which the proceeds go to the AIDS research.
E7Jan 200944m
The chefs must create a sweet dish without using sugar (guest judge: chef and restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli). In the elimination challenge, chefs prepare a family-style meal for blind judging.
E8Jan 200944m
Contestants shop for fresh ingredients at a farm and then create a dinner for the farm workers.
E9Jan 200955m
Two teams have 24 hours to design and open competing restaurants.
E10Jan 200955m
A Super Bowl cook-off against seven all-stars from previous seasons.
E11Feb 200944m
After a three-round fish filleting tournament, the contestants cook at Le Bernadin where their final product will be judged by chef Eric Ripert.
E12Feb 200944m
Wylie Dufresne judges a quickfire challenge of egg dishes. For the elimination challenge, the five remaining chefs each cook a "last supper" dish requested by a culinary superstar.
E13Feb 200955m
The season finale finds the chefs traveling from New York to New Orleans. While in the "Big Easy" they will be challenged to kick it up a notch when celebrity judge/chef Emeril Lagasse stops by to appraise their culinary skills.
E14Feb 200944m
Set in New Orleans, season 5 ends as the winning chef is revealed.
E15Mar 200944m
Andy Cohen hosts a candid gathering of season five's chefs and judges.