Top Chef: New Orleans
Season number11
Bgcolour
  1. FFD6A5
Num episodes17
NetworkBravo
First airedOctober 2, 2013
Last airedFebruary 5, 2014
Prev seasonSeattle
Next seasonBoston
Episode listList of Top Chef episodes
Top Chef: New Orleans
HostPadma Lakshmi
JudgesTom Colicchio
Gail Simmons
Emeril Lagasse
Hugh Acheson
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana
Finals venueMaui
Num contestants27
WinnerNicholas Elmi
Runner upNina Compton
Fan FavoriteNina Compton

Top Chef: New Orleans is the eleventh season of the American reality television series Top Chef. The season was announced on May 10, 2013.[1] Filming took place from early May through late July, beginning in New Orleans, Louisiana, and concluding in Maui.[2][3] The season premiered on October 2, 2013.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7] 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.[7] Compton was later voted Fan Favorite.[8]

Contestants

Main article: List of Top Chef contestants

The cast of Top Chef: New Orleans originally consisted of 17 chefs.[9][10][11][12] 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.[13] 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

NameCurrent Residence[a]
Benoit AnguloNew Orleans, Louisiana
Tres BarnardNew Orleans, Louisiana
Bart BellNew Orleans, Louisiana
Michael DoyleNew Orleans, Louisiana
Nick LamaNew Orleans, Louisiana
Bradley McGeheeNew Orleans, Louisiana
Casey MorvantNew Orleans, Louisiana
Chris WadsworthNew Orleans, Louisiana

Top 19

NameHometownCurrent Residence[b]Age
Benedetto "Bene" BartolottaAstoria, New YorkNew York, New York27
Ramon BojorquezRio Rico, ArizonaSan Diego, California31
Janine BoothPerth, AustraliaNew York, New York25
Shirley ChungBeijing, ChinaLas Vegas, Nevada36
Jason CichonskiBucks County, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania27
Stephanie CmarBoston, Massachusetts28
Nina ComptonSaint LuciaNew Orleans, Louisiana34
Aaron CuschieriLivonia, MichiganChicago, Illinois29
Justin DevillierDana Point, CaliforniaNew Orleans, Louisiana32
Nicholas ElmiWest Newbury, MassachusettsPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania32
Carlos GaytanHuitzuco, Guerrero, MexicoChicago, Illinois42
Brian HuskeyPasadena, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California32
Sara JohannesMilwaukee, WisconsinMinneapolis, Minnesota36
Louis MaldonadoUkiah, CaliforniaHealdsburg, California32
Travis MasarLa Junta, ColoradoPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania27
Carrie MashaneyCarpenter, IowaSeattle, Washington35
Bret PelaggiNorwood, MassachusettsMiami, Florida34
Michael SichelValhalla, New YorkNew Orleans, Louisiana46
Patricia "Patty" VegaGurabo, Puerto RicoNew York, New York29

Shirley Chung competed in Top Chef Duels, and later returned to compete in Top Chef: Charleston.[14][15] Stephanie Cmar returned for Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.[16]

Contestant progress

Episode #1234567891011121314151617
Quickfire Challenge
Winner(s)		CarrieShirleyTeam
L.		NinaBrianBrianShirleyCarrieShirleyNicholasShirleyCarlosNicholas
ContestantElimination Challenge Results
1NicholasINLOWININHIGHHIGHLOWINWINWININLOWLOWLOWLOWWINWINNER
2NinaWININHIGHHIGHLOWWINHIGHHIGHININLOWHIGHWINHIGHHIGHINRUNNER-UP
3ShirleyINININWININININHIGHININWININLOWWINWINOUT
LouisININLOWININININOUTOUT
5CarlosINHIGHLOWINWININHIGHWININHIGHHIGHLOWHIGHHIGHOUT
6BrianINHIGHININLOWINLOWINHIGHLOWHIGHHIGHHIGHOUT
7StephanieININHIGHLOWININWINLOWHIGHHIGHLOWWINOUT
8CarrieHIGHWININHIGHININHIGHINHIGHININOUT
9JustinININWINHIGHINHIGHINLOWLOWLOWOUT
10TravisINHIGHINLOWWINLOWLOWINHIGHOUT
11SaraHIGHININLOWINLOWININOUT
12PattyLOWLOWINHIGHHIGHINOUT
13BeneINININLOWLOWOUT
14MichaelININININOUT
15JanineINININOUT
16BretINLOWOUT
17AaronLOWHIGHOUT
18JasonINOUT
19RamonOUT
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

Main article: List of Top Chef episodes

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Last Chance Kitchen

Main article: Top Chef#Last Chance Kitchen
No.TitleOriginal air date

References

Notes
  1. ^ The contestants' city and state of residence during time of filming.
  2. ^ The contestants' city and state of residence during time of filming.
Footnotes
  1. ^ Reyhani, Monica A. (May 10, 2013). "'Top Chef' Season 11 Heads to...". Bravo. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  2. ^ Walker, Dave (August 12, 2013). "'Top Chef: New Orleans' to premiere Oct. 2, season guests to include Leah Chase, Kermit Ruffins". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  3. ^ Conrad, Marissa (2014-01-06). "EXCLUSIVE: Top Chef Goes Tropical! See Where the Finale Will Be Held". People. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  4. ^ Bricker, Tierney (August 12, 2013). "Top Chef: New Orleans Premiere Date Announced: Watch Season 11 Promo Featuring Lea Michele Now!". E! Online. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  5. ^ Walker, Dave (May 13, 2013). "State, local tourism offices paying $375,000 to underwrite 'Top Chef: New Orleans'". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  6. ^ Walker, Dave (August 9, 2013). "New Orleans chefs to compete for 'Top Chef' role in online competition". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  7. ^ Chan, Anna (February 6, 2014). "'Top Chef' judges defend shocking finale decision". Today. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  8. ^ Doss, Laine (March 3, 2014). "Nina Compton on Life After Top Chef". Miami New Times. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  9. ^ "Introducing the 'Top Chef' Season 11 Cheftestants". Bravo. August 12, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  10. ^ Walker, Dave (August 13, 2013). "Bravo releases second batch of 'Top Chef: New Orleans' chefs, second video". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  11. ^ Walker, Dave (August 14, 2013). "Bravo announces third batch of 'Top Chef: New Orleans' chefs". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  12. ^ "Cast & Info - Top Chef Season 11". Bravo. Archived from the original on October 8, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  13. ^ Walker, Dave (August 14, 2013). "'Padma's Picks' delivers surprise twist to 'Top Chef: New Orleans'". The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  14. ^ Ng, Philiana (June 4, 2014). "Bravo's 'Top Chef Duels' Lands Premiere Date, Celebrity Guests (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  15. ^ Spence, Shay (October 20, 2016). "Top Chef Is Bringing Back 8 Fan Favorite Contestants — See Who Made the Cut". People. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  16. ^ Huff, Lauren (December 12, 2019). "Unpack your knives: Top Chef announces all-star lineup for season 17". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 12, 2019.