Miami Plot

Top Chef: Miami is the third season of American reality television series Top Chef and was filmed first in Miami, Florida, and concluded in Aspen, Colorado. The season premiered on Bravo on June 13, 2007 and ended on October 10, 2007. Padma Lakshmi returned with Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and new judge Ted Allen, who will switch off with Simmons throughout the season. First season contestant Lee Anne Wong was brought in as a food consultant and assisted in planning the challenges. Production took place in April and May 2007 in Miami Beach, Florida, with 15 contestants living, and the production activity centered, at the historic Fontainebleau Hotel. The prize money awarded to the Top Chef was $100,000. As with Season 2, the winning recipe from each week's episode of Season 3 is featured on Bravo's Top Chef website and prepared by Season 1 contestant Lee Anne Wong in a web video called The Wong Way to Cook.

Top Chef Miami aired on June 12th, 2007.

Miami Episodes

1. First Impressions

June 13th, 200742 min

Getting to know each other is the theme for this first round. The new crop of fifteen chefs arrives in Miami, and then they are given two challenges – one with leftovers – to introduce themselves and their cooking to their fellow contestants and the judges. Guest Judge: Anthony Bourdain. QuickFire Challenge: Create an Amuse-Bouche in 10 Minutes Elimination Challenge: Create a Surf & Turf Dish Using Exotic Ingredients

2. Sunny Delights

June 20th, 200742 min

Tonight's theme is sunshine, and first the contestants must use a product of that sunshine, citrus. Then they are asked to demonstrate their catering skills at an event which requires sunshine, a gourmet BBQ party. Guest Chef: Norman Van Aken QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using Florida Citrus Kingsford Elimination Challenge: Create an Upscale BBQ Dish

3. Family Favorites

June 27th, 200742 min

This week the remaining chefs must first catch fresh seafood, and then put a fresh twist on American dinner staples for members of the Miami Elks Club. Guest Judge: Alfred Portale QuickFire Challenge: Catch & Cook Shellfish Elimination Challenge: Update Classic Dishes into Modern Lower Cholesterol Meals

4. Cooking by Numbers

July 11th, 200742 min

The contestants mix it up with Bombay Sapphire mixologist Jamie Walker, and then ply their trade at a gastronomic society. Barton G. Weiss of Miami's Barton G. the Restaurant serves as guest judge.

5. Latin Lunch

July 18th, 200742 min

Timing is the theme for this round as the 11 remaining chefs are asked to be creative with a time-saving pastry and then serve lunch to clients on a tight schedule. Guest Judge: Maria Frumkin QuickFire Challenge: Create a Dish Using a Frozen Pie Crust. Elimination Challenge: Cater a Latin Lunch for the Cast & Crew of Telemundo's Dame Chocolate.

6. Watch What Happens

July 25th, 200742 min

In a special episode, Bravo's Andy Cohen sits down with past and current contestants to explore their experiences in the competition

7. Freezer Burn

August 1st, 200742 min

The chef's taste buds are put to the test, and then they must "cook" for a frozen challenge. Rocco DiSpirito acts as guest judge.

8. Guilty Pleasures

August 8th, 200742 min

This round's theme is guilty pleasures. First the chefs must work with Summer's guilty institution, ice cream, and then they move on to Miami's night life, but there's a surprise in store for them. Guest Judge: Govind Armstrong QuickFire Challenge: Coldstone Creamery Mix-in Challenge (Create Original Mix-ins for Their Sweet Cream Flavor). Elimination Challenge: Create Late Night Bar food in a Mobile Kitchen.

9. Restaurant Wars

August 15th, 200742 min

The chefs are told that they must create the perfect burger. Then, they must create a new restaurant concept, including a great menu. Chef Daniel Boulud is the guest judge.

10. Second Helping

August 22nd, 200742 min

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian guest judges a relay race challenge. The chefs get another try at "Restaurant Wars," continued from last episode.

11. Chef Overboard

September 5th, 200742 min

Chef Michael Schwartz helps to judge challenges that involve a cruise ship buffet and creativity in a grocery store.

12. Snacks on a Plane

September 12th, 200742 min

Jimmy Canora guests on an episode that takes to the skies when the chefs take on the dreaded plane cuisine.

13. Manhattan Project

September 19th, 200742 min

Sirio Maccione guest judges a QuickFire where the chefs must recreate one of his dishes, then they must impress four more chefs, including Andre Soltner, in elimination.

14. Finale (1)

September 26th, 200742 min

The remaining chefs make the move to Aspen, Colorado for the semifinal and the decision of who the final two will be.

15. Finale (2)

October 3rd, 200742 min

The Top Chef is chosen.

16. Reunion

October 10th, 200742 min

The cast and contestants get together to reminisce about the season and answer questions.

All Seasons

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Mar 20, 2024
World All-Stars

World All-Stars

Mar 8, 2023
Houston

Houston

Mar 2, 2022
Season 18

Season 18

Mar 30, 2021
All Stars L.A.

All Stars L.A.

Mar 19, 2020
Season 16

Season 16

Dec 4, 2018
Season 15

Season 15

Dec 4, 2017
Charleston

Charleston

Nov 30, 2016
California

California

Dec 1, 2015
Boston

Boston

Oct 14, 2014
New Orleans

New Orleans

Oct 1, 2013
Seattle

Seattle

Nov 6, 2012
Texas

Texas

Nov 1, 2011
All-Stars

All-Stars

Nov 30, 2010
D.C.

D.C.

Jun 15, 2010
Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Aug 18, 2009
New York

New York

Nov 11, 2008
Chicago

Chicago

Mar 11, 2008
Miami

Miami

Jun 12, 2007
Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Oct 17, 2006
San Francisco

San Francisco

Mar 8, 2006
Specials

Specials

Jun 6, 2007