Top Chef: Chicago is the fourth season of the American reality television series Top Chef. It was first filmed in Chicago, Illinois before concluding in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The season premiered on Bravo on March 12, 2008, and ended on June 18, 2008. In the season finale, Stephanie Izard was declared the winner over runners-up Lisa Fernandes and Richard Blais. Izard was also voted Fan Favorite.
Contestants
Sixteen chefs competed in Top Chef: Chicago. NameHometownCurrent ResidenceAgeZoi AntonitsasSeattle, WashingtonSan Francisco, California30Jennifer BiestyBrooklyn, New YorkSan Francisco, California35Richard BlaisUniondale, New YorkAtlanta, Georgia35Valerie BolonChicago, Illinois32Nikki CasconeNew York, New York35Andrew D'AmbrosiFort Lauderdale, FloridaNew York, New York30Lisa FernandesToronto, OntarioNew York, New York27Erik HopfingerChappaqua, New YorkSan Francisco, California38Stephanie IzardStamford, ConnecticutChicago, Illinois31Antonia LofasoLos Angeles, California31Spike MendelsohnClearwater Beach, FloridaWashington, D.C.27Nimma OsmanPeachtree City, GeorgiaAtlanta, Georgia26Mark SimmonsInvercargill, New ZealandNew York, New York29Ryan ScottLos Banos, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California28Dale TaldeChicago, IllinoisNew York, New York29Manuel TrevinoLaredo, TexasNew York, New York33
Richard Blais, Antonia Lofaso, Spike Mendelsohn, and Dale Talde returned to compete in Top Chef: All-Stars. Blais, Lofaso, Talde and Stephanie Izard later competed in Top Chef Duels. Lisa Fernandes returned for Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.
Contestant progress Episode #1234567891011121314Quickfire ChallengeWinner(s) RichardMarkJenniferAntoniaSpikeDaleRyanErik Mark Richard Dale Antonia Jennifer Richard Antonia AndrewAntoniaRichardStephanie Spike Antonia Spike Stephanie ContestantElimination Challenge Results1 StephanieWIN LOW WINHIGH HIGH HIGH LOW LOW WIN HIGHWIN WIN HIGH WINNER2 Lisa IN HIGH INHIGH WIN IN LOW LOW LOW LOWLOW LOW LOW RichardHIGH IN IN WIN LOW IN WIN IN WIN INHIGH HIGH WIN 4 Antonia HIGH LOW HIGH LOWLOW HIGH LOW WIN HIGH IN HIGH HIGH OUT 5 Spike IN LOW LOW LOW LOW IN HIGH IN LOWLOWLOWOUT6 Dale IN LOW LOW HIGH HIGH WINWIN IN LOWWINOUT 7 Andrew IN WIN LOW HIGH LOW IN HIGH HIGH HIGHOUT8 NikkiHIGH LOW IN IN IN LOW IN HIGH OUT9 MarkLOW HIGH IN IN LOW LOW IN OUT10 Jennifer IN HIGH LOW IN IN IN OUT 11 RyanLOW IN LOW IN IN OUT12 Zoi IN HIGH LOW LOWOUT13 Manuel IN HIGH IN OUT 14 ErikLOWIN OUT15 Valerie IN OUT16 NimmaOUT : The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge. : Episode 1's Quickfire Challenge resulted in the 16 contestants being split into two groups of 8: the winners and losers. No immunity was given to the winners. This was done for the purpose of the head-to-head cook-off in the Elimination Challenge. : Richard was originally awarded the win by the judges. Although he gave the win to Stephanie, and she shared the prize, he is considered the sole winner of the challenge, according to the Bravo website. (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
References Notes
Footnotes
External links Official website