July 1 (2021-07-01) – September 2, 2021 (2021-09-02)
Top Chef Amateurs is an American reality competition series which premiered on July 1, 2021, on Bravo.[1] It is a spin-off of the Top Chef television series, featuring home cooks instead of professional chefs.[2] In each episode, two home cooks compete head-to-head in challenges drawn from previous seasons of Top Chef.[2] Each amateur is paired with a past Top Chef contestant, who acts as an advisor and sous chef.[3] The series is hosted by Gail Simmons, who also serves as head judge.[3] The winner of each episode receives US$5,000.[3]
Production of Top Chef Amateurs began in October 2020 in Portland, Oregon, following filming for Top Chef: Portland.[2] The show was filmed under the same COVID-19 guidelines, utilizing the same kitchen set established at the Portland Expo Center.[3][4] The competitors were flown to Portland from across the United States, quarantined in their hotel rooms for several days, and tested several times for the coronavirus.[4] Similar to Portland, Amateurs features Top Chef alumni as guest judges, who rotate between cooking with the contestants and judging alongside Simmons.[3]
Flatbread with Za'atar, Radish Tops, Feta & Pomegranate
Ricotta with Honey, Citrus, Roasted Daikon, Hazelnuts & Caramel Sauce
Winner: Basil Maqbool
3
"Don't Clam Up!"
July 8, 2021 (2021-07-08)
Challenge: The home cooks had 45 minutes to create a dish featuring shellfish. However, to get their shellfish, they first had to dig through a fish tank filled with mud.
Gina Mustoe (with Melissa King): Asian Inspired Cioppino With Manila & Quahog Clams, Lemongrass
Simon Suh (with Gregory Gourdet): "Catch of the Day" with Manila & Quahog Clams, King Crab, Oysters & Bacon in Coconut Broth
Winner: Gina Mustoe
4
"No Need to Egg-splain"
July 8, 2021 (2021-07-08)
Challenge: The home cooks had 45 minutes to create a dish featuring at least three different varieties of eggs.
Bree Medley (with Joe Flamm): Savory Duck Egg Waffle with Miso, Orange, Goose Egg Emulsion & Fried Quail Egg on Top
Lorenzo Beronilla (with Richard Blais): Thai Flavored Duck Egg Omelet with Seared Scallops & Pancetta, Caviar & Bottarga on Top
Winner: Lorenzo Beronilla
5
"7 Deadly Sins"
July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)
Challenge: The home cooks had 45 minutes to prepare a dish inspired by one of the seven deadly sins.
Rodney Faraon (with Gregory Gourdet): Greed - Truffle Risotto with King Crab, Caviar & Gold Flake
Challenge: The home cooks competed in a blindfolded taste test. Each person was given 10 minutes to guess 30 mystery ingredients. If the contestants gave an incorrect answer, they were prohibited from using the ingredient. Afterwards, the home cooks had 45 minutes to cook any dish using the ingredients they earned, along with limited items from the Top Chef pantry.
Challenge: The home cooks had one hour to cook a meat and potatoes dish. However, they were responsible for butchering the primal cut beef loins themselves.
Derek Finocchiaro (with Jennifer Carroll): Pan Seared NY Strip, Charred Scallion & Romanesco, Pomme Purée, Potato Crisp
Challenge: The home cooks competed in a mis en place race. They had one hour to prep three ingredients of their choosing, out of a total of ten options, and create a dish incorporating them. The options included shelling walnuts, separating egg yolks, mincing garlic, peeling and deveining shrimp, dicing onions, breaking down a chicken, supreming oranges, shredding cheddar cheese, frenching racks of lamb, and turning artichokes. The ingredients were available on a first-come, first-served basis; once a home cook grabbed an ingredient from the display table, it became unavailable to their competitor.