The second season of the American reality competition show Top Chef Masters was announced on October 22, 2009. In addition, it was announced that Gail Simmons would be added as a critic. The season premiered on April 7, 2010 with 22 chefs competing against each other in weekly challenges. In the season finale that premiered on June 9, 2010, Marcus Samuelsson was crowned Top Chef Master.

Critics Kelly Choi (Host) Gael Greene (Critic) James Oseland (Critic) Jay Rayner (Critic) Gail Simmons (Critic)

Master Contestants 22 chefs competed in Top Chef Masters. In elimination order the contestants were:

Preliminary rounds

Episode 1 Govind Armstrong — 8 oz Burger Bar (Los Angeles, Calif.) Jimmy Bradley — The Red Cat (New York, N.Y.) Jerry Traunfeld — Poppy (Seattle, Wash.) Ana Sortun — Oleana (Cambridge, Mass.) Tony Mantuano – Spiaggia (Chicago, Ill.) Susan Feniger – Street (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Episode 2

David Burke — David Burke Townhouse (New York, N.Y.) Thierry Rautureau — Rover's (Seattle, Wash.) Monica Pope — t'afia (Houston, Texas) Marcus Samuelsson—Red Rooster (New York, N.Y.) Carmen Gonzalez – Chef Consultant (New York, N.Y.)

Episode 3

Mark Peel — The Tar Pit (Los Angeles, Calif.) Ludo Lefebvre — Ludo Bites (Los Angeles, Calif.) Graham Elliot — Graham Elliot Restaurant (Chicago, Ill.) Wylie Dufresne — wd~50 (New York, N.Y.) Jonathan Waxman – Barbuto (New York, N.Y.)

Episode 4

Debbie Gold — The American Restaurant (Kansas City, Mo.) Rick Tramonto — TRU (Chicago, Ill.) Maria Hines — Tilth & Golden Beetle (Seattle, Wash.) Susur Lee — Lee, Lee Kitchen, Kid Lee, Luckee (Toronto Canada) Jody Adams — Porto (Boston, MA)

Champions' round Carmen González — Chef Consultant (New York, N.Y.) Jody Adams — Rialto Restaurant (Cambridge, Mass.) Tony Mantuano — Spiaggia (Chicago, Ill.) Susan Feniger — Street (Los Angeles, Calif.) Jonathan Waxman — Barbuto (New York, N.Y.) Rick Moonen — RM Seafood (Las Vegas, Nev.) Susur Lee — Madeline's (Toronto, Canada)

Top Chef Master Marcus Samuelsson — Aquavit (New York, N.Y.)

Masters' progress

Preliminary rounds Episode Winner(s) 2nd Place 3rd Place 4th Place 5th Place 6th Place 1 16½ Stars 15 Stars 12½ Stars 2 Carmen Gonzalez15½ stars14½ stars Monica Pope13 stars Thierry Rautureau11 stars David Burke10 stars 3 18½ stars Rick Moonen16 stars Wylie Dufresne14½ stars Ludo Lefebvre11 stars Mark Peel9½ stars 4 Susur Lee19½ stars 14½ stars Maria Hines13½ stars Rick Tramonto13 stars Debbie Gold10½ stars (QF WIN) The team or chef won that episode's Quickfire challenge. (HS WIN) The chef won a High Stakes Quickfire and won a guaranteed spot in the champions' round. Note: The chefs who received first and/or second place in the preliminary rounds move onto the champions' round.

Champions' round Episodes 5 6 7 8 9 Finale QuickfireWinner RickJonathanSusanJodyRickSusanRickMarcusNone LOW LOW HIGH HIGH WIN WINNER$115,000 Susur IN WIN HIGH LOW HIGH $20,000 Rick IN HIGH LOW WIN LOW $22,500 JonathanHIGH LOW LOW LOW OUT $17,500 Susan IN IN WIN OUT $32,500 Tony IN IN OUT $15,000 JodyWIN OUT $17,500 CarmenOUT $10,000 Susur Lee and Rick Moonen tied for second with 17 stars each. (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned Top Chef: Master. (RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season. (WIN) The chef won that episode's elimination challenge. (HIGH) The chef had one of the highest scores, but was not named the winner. (IN) The chef was declared safe and wasn't eliminated, moved on in champions' round. (LOW) The chef had one of the lowest scores, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The chef lost that week's challenge and was eliminated.

Episodes In each episode, the chefs compete to win money for their charity. The Elimination Round winners are awarded cash donations ($10,000) for their charities. For each of the first four episodes, five or six chefs compete out of the twenty-two and two chefs of their group move forward to the Champions Round. Episode format: Each episode consists of a Quickfire and an Elimination challenge. The Quickfire is a short, simple challenge that can vary from cooking, tasting or a food-related task (e.g., peeling a certain amount of apples to certain quality standard in a limited amount of time). The Elimination challenge is a more complex challenge which usually requires cooking a meal for many people with certain requirements. The chefs are scored based on how well they execute in the Elimination and Quickfire challenges. Scoring: Unlike Season 1, where the Quickfire was scored on a scale of one to five stars, there are no stars won during the Quickfire, and instead, the winner(s) of the Quickfire will receive $5,000 for their charity or charities. The Elimination challenge is scored on a scale of one to 20 stars (five stars given by the tasters, and fifteen given by the three critics). A chef can thus win a maximum of 20 stars. The two chefs with the most stars at the end of the Elimination challenge are considered the winners and move on to the Champions Round. The eight total winners then meet up for the final weeks when one person will be eliminated in each episode until the finale where one winner is crowned Top Chef Master. The winning chef receives $100,000 for his or her designated charity.

Episode 1: First Date Dinner Ana Sortun, Govind Armstrong, Jerry Traunfeld, Jimmy Bradley, Susan Feniger, and Tony Mantuano are the first group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round. Quickfire Challenge: In teams of two, the Masters are challenged to create a dish using ingredients from a gas station in Chinatown. Anna Sortun and Jerry Traunfeld (Crispy Rice Cake with "Clamesco" Sauce) Govind Armstrong and Jimmy Bradley (Cheetos Macaroni with Grilled Slim Jims and Tomato Soup) Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano (Maple Bread Pudding with Caramelized Bananas) WINNERS: Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano Elimination Challenge: Love is in the air as the Masters (still in their teams) are challenged to evoke their sensual side using known aphrodisiac ingredients in the creation of a sumptuous meal to suit couples on a first date. Anna Sortun and Jerry Traunfeld (Duck Leg in Vermicelli with Orange Blossom Smoked Cinnamon Almonds; Lavender Duck Breast with Red Cabbage, Pomegranate and Beets) Govind Armstrong and Jimmy Bradley (Roast Lamb with Cauliflower Couscous & Pomegranate Reduction; Seared Lamb Carpaccio with Baby Arugula and Herb Salad) Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano (Black Pepper Shrimp and Scallop; Homemade Pasta with Cheese, Mushrooms and Truffles) WINNERS: Susan Feniger and Tony Mantuano (16½ Stars) ELIMINATED: Ana Sortun and Jerry Traunfeld (15 Stars) Govind Armstrong and Jimmy Bradley (12½ Stars)

Episode 2: It's My Party Carmen Gonzalez, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Monica Pope, and Thierry Rautureau are the second group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round. Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must put a twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. Carmen Gonzalez (Italian Baguette with Manchego, Garlic, Cilantro and Lime) David Burke (Triple Cream Cheese with Prosciutto, Almonds, Tomato and Rosemary) Marcus Samuelsson (Grilled Gruyere and Cheddar with Gazpacho and Salad) Monica Pope (Feta Cheese on Raisin Nut Bread with Basil, Cilantro and Mint Salad) Thierry Rautureau (Grilled Taleggio and Goat Cheese with Olives, Harissa and a Pear, Pine Nut, and Baby Arugula Salad) WINNER: Monica Pope Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create a "soul food" inspired dish for Mekhi Phifer's birthday party. Carmen Gonzalez (Oyster and Hot Sausage Stew with Cilantro) David Burke (Sweet Potato Custard with Green Beans, Corn and Crab BBQ, Pickled Watermelon Rind and Hush Puppies) Marcus Samuelsson (BBQ Chicken with Mac & Cheese and Collard Greens) Monica Pope (Shrimp and Grits, Mac and Cheese Style with Smokin' Okra, Pickled Green Beans and Tomato Jam) Thierry Rautureau (Moroccan Spiced Pork Shoulder, Farro, Roasted Cauliflower, and Brussels Sprout Slaw) WINNERS: Carmen Gonzalez (15½ stars) and Marcus Samuelsson (14½ stars) ELIMINATED: Monica Pope (13 stars) Thierry Rautureau (11 stars) David Burke (10 stars)

Episode 3: Pub Food Season 1 Veterans Graham Elliot Bowles, Jonathan Waxman, Ludo Lefevbre, Mark Peel, Rick Moonen, and Wylie Dufresne are the third group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round. Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create a dish to pair with a Stolichnaya Vodka cocktail. Graham Elliot Bowles (Crudo of Black Cod with Edamame and Red Onion Salad) (paired with Coriander Mule) Jonathan Waxman (Pork Tenderloin and Poblano Stuffed Shrimp with Avocado Butter) (paired with Lemongrass Mojito) Ludo Lefebvre (Roasted Pork Chop with Rosemary, Thyme, and Garlic) (paired with Nutmeg Applik Mojito) Mark Peel (Mussel Custard with Kaffir Lime and Figs) (paired with Ginger Figgle) Rick Moonen (Cream Biscuit Berry Shortcake) (paired with Forest Fruits) Wylie Dufresne (Arctic Char with Lentils, Bacon, Crispy Potatoes, and Lemon Yogurt) (paired with Russian Tea Room) WINNER: Jonathan Waxman Elimination Challenge: The chefs are challenged to create an upscale version of traditional pub food. Graham Elliot Bowles (Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Chanterelle Puree, and Bacon-Kidney Vinaigrette) – Steak and Kidney Pie Jonathan Waxman (Lamb, Mashed Potatoes, and Parmesan Cheese) – Shepherd's Pie Ludo Lefebvre (Beef Tenderloin, Potatoes Confit, Roasted Peanuts with Miso, and Guinness Caramel) – Irish Stew Mark Peel (Seafood Sausage, Onion Sauce with Lobster Broth, and Mustard Greens) – Toad in a Hole Rick Moonen (Chicken Fried Sable, Lemon Confit Tartar Sauce, Twice Fried Potatoes, and Fennel Slaw) – Fish & Chips Wylie Dufresne (Bangers, Smoked Mashed Potatoes, Onion Jus, and Snow Peas) – Bangers & Mash WINNERS: Jonathan Waxman (18½ stars) and Rick Moonen (16 stars) ELIMINATED: Wylie Dufresne (14½ stars) Graham Elliot Bowles (13½ stars) Ludo Lefebvre (11 stars) Mark Peel (9½ stars)

Episode 4: Cast and Crew Meal Debbie Gold, Jody Adams, Maria Hines, Rick Tramonto, and Susur Lee are the fourth and final group of chefs competing for two spots in the Champions Round. Quickfire Challenge: The chefs must create a perfectly styled fruit plate presentation. In addition, this Quickfire was a High Stakes Quickfire, so the winner of this Quickfire was guaranteed a spot in the Champion's Round, regardless of how that chef did in the Elimination Challenge. Debbie Gold (Pecan Tempura Stuffed Fig with Persimmon and Tangerine) – 3½ stars Jody Adams (Fig and Walnut Tart with Pomegranate Syrup and Zabaglione) – 4 stars Maria Hines (Northwest Trio: Apple Soup, Grilled Fig, and Berries with Berry Mousse) – 3 stars Rick Tramonto (Herb and Fruit Shooters) – 3½ stars Susur Lee ("East Meets West" Fruit Plate with Blackberry "Ravioli" and Thai Basil) – 2½ stars WINNER: Jody Adams Elimination Challenge: The chefs must create and modernize a "family meal" for the cast and crew of Modern Family. Debbie Gold (Glazed Pork Loin with Apple Butter and Winter Squash Slaw) Jody Adams (Braised Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms, Semolina Gnocchi, and Herb Salad) Maria Hines (Sockeye Salmon, Paprika Potatoes, Almond Slivers, and Almond Milk) Rick Tramonto (Truffled White Beans with Escarole and Grilled Sausage) Susur Lee (Roast Chicken and Farce Curry, Polenta and Grits, Tomato Jam, and Chili Mint Chutney) WINNERS: Susur Lee (19½ stars) and Jody Adams (14½ stars) ELIMINATED: Maria Hines (13½ stars) Rick Tramonto (13 stars) Debbie Gold (10½ stars)

Episode 5: Wedding Wars