Top Chef: New Orleans is the eleventh season of the American reality television series Top Chef. The season was announced on May 10, 2013. Filming took place from early May through late July, beginning in New Orleans, Louisiana, and concluding in Maui. The season premiered on October 2, 2013. State and local tourism offices in Louisiana sponsored the season, paying a total of $375,000. The state contribution came from a recovery fund established by BP after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In addition to the return of the Last Chance Kitchen, Bravo launched a new web series called Padma's Picks. Debuting on August 14, 2013, the competition, presided over by host Padma Lakshmi, featured ten New Orleans-based chefs competing for the chance to join the official lineup of contestants and represent the city.
The final episode of the season generated controversy after head judge Tom Colicchio appeared to successfully sway the other judges into awarding the title of Top Chef to Nicholas Elmi, a contestant who had been nearly eliminated in several episodes and had temper control issues. Fan outrage led Colicchio to release the judges' scores on Twitter to justify their decision to give Elmi the victory over eventual runner-up Nina Compton, who was considered a front-runner in the competition. Compton was later voted Fan Favorite.
Contestants
The cast of Top Chef: New Orleans originally consisted of 17 chefs. An additional 10 New Orleans-based chefs competed in Padma's Picks for the chance to join the main lineup of contestants; following its conclusion, Lakshmi selected Justin Devillier and Michael Sichel. Benedetto Bartolotta and Nick Lama previously competed in the fifth season of Top Chef Masters as the sous-chefs of Odette Fada and Sue Zemanick, respectively. Stephanie Cmar appeared as a contestant in Top Chef: Seattle during the qualifying rounds.
Eliminated in Padma's Picks Name Current ResidenceBenoit AnguloNew Orleans, LouisianaTres BarnardNew Orleans, LouisianaBart BellNew Orleans, LouisianaMichael DoyleNew Orleans, LouisianaNick LamaNew Orleans, LouisianaBradley McGeheeNew Orleans, LouisianaCasey MorvantNew Orleans, LouisianaChris WadsworthNew Orleans, Louisiana
Top 19 NameHometownCurrent ResidenceAgeBenedetto "Bene" BartolottaAstoria, New YorkNew York, New York27Ramon BojorquezRio Rico, ArizonaSan Diego, California31Janine BoothPerth, AustraliaNew York, New York25Shirley ChungBeijing, ChinaLas Vegas, Nevada36Jason CichonskiBucks County, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania27Stephanie CmarBoston, Massachusetts28Nina ComptonSaint LuciaNew Orleans, Louisiana34Aaron CuschieriLivonia, MichiganChicago, Illinois29Justin DevillierDana Point, CaliforniaNew Orleans, Louisiana32Nicholas ElmiWest Newbury, MassachusettsPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania32Carlos GaytánHuitzuco, Guerrero, MexicoChicago, Illinois42Brian HuskeyPasadena, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California32Sara JohannesMilwaukee, WisconsinMinneapolis, Minnesota36Louis MaldonadoUkiah, CaliforniaHealdsburg, California32Travis MasarLa Junta, ColoradoPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania27Carrie MashaneyCarpenter, IowaSeattle, Washington35Bret PelaggiNorwood, MassachusettsMiami, Florida34Michael SichelValhalla, New YorkNew Orleans, Louisiana46Patricia "Patty" VegaGurabo, Puerto RicoNew York, New York29
Shirley Chung competed in Top Chef Duels, and later returned to compete in Top Chef: Charleston. Stephanie Cmar returned for Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.
Contestant progress Episode #1234567891011121314151617Quickfire ChallengeWinner(s)CarrieShirleyTeamL.NinaBrianBrianShirleyCarrieShirleyNicholas ShirleyCarlosNicholasContestantElimination Challenge Results1NicholasINLOWININHIGHHIGHLOWINWINWININLOWLOWLOWLOWWINWINNER2NinaWININHIGHHIGHLOW WINHIGHHIGHININLOWHIGHWINHIGHHIGHIN3ShirleyINININWININININHIGHININWININLOWWINWINOUTLouisININLOWININININOUTOUT5CarlosINHIGHLOWINWININHIGHWININHIGHHIGHLOWHIGHHIGHOUT6BrianINHIGHININLOWINLOWINHIGHLOWHIGHHIGHHIGHOUT7StephanieININHIGHLOWININWINLOWHIGHHIGHLOWWINOUT8CarrieHIGHWININHIGHININHIGHINHIGHININOUT9JustinININWINHIGHINHIGHINLOWLOWLOWOUT10TravisINHIGHINLOWWINLOWLOWINHIGHOUT11SaraHIGHININLOWINLOWININOUT12PattyLOWLOWINHIGHHIGHINOUT13BeneINININLOWLOWOUT14MichaelININININOUT15JanineINININOUT16BretINLOWOUT17AaronLOWHIGHOUT18JasonINOUT19RamonOUT : The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge. : As the winners of Padma's Picks, Justin and Michael were given immunity for the first Elimination Challenge. : Aaron was eliminated by placing last in the Quickfire Challenge. : Team Lakshmi consisted of Bene, Brian, Carlos, Nicholas, Nina, Patty, and Travis. : Louis won Last Chance Kitchen and returned to the competition. (WINNER) The chef won the season and was crowned "Top Chef". (RUNNER-UP) The chef was a runner-up for the season. (WIN) The chef won the Elimination Challenge. (HIGH) The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win. (IN) The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe. (LOW) The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated. (OUT) The chef lost the Elimination Challenge.
Episodes
Last Chance Kitchen
No. Title Original air date
References Notes
Footnotes
External links Official website