# Top Chef: New Orleans

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***Top Chef: New Orleans*** is the eleventh season of the American reality television series *[Top Chef](/source/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](/source/New_Orleans,_Louisiana), and concluding in [Maui](/source/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](/source/BP) after the [*Deepwater Horizon* oil spill](/source/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill).[5] In addition to the return of the *Last Chance Kitchen*, [Bravo](/source/Bravo_(American_TV_network)) launched a new web series called *Padma's Picks*. Debuting on August 14, 2013, the competition, presided over by host [Padma Lakshmi](/source/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](/source/Twitter) to justify their decision to give Elmi the victory over eventual runner-up [Nina Compton](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Justin_Devillier) and Michael Sichel.[13] Benedetto Bartolotta and Nick Lama previously competed in the [fifth season](/source/Top_Chef_Masters_season_5) of *[Top Chef Masters](/source/Top_Chef_Masters)* as the sous-chefs of Odette Fada and Sue Zemanick, respectively. [Stephanie Cmar](/source/Stephanie_Cmar) appeared as a contestant in *[Top Chef: Seattle](/source/Top_Chef:_Seattle)* during the qualifying rounds.

### Eliminated in *Padma's Picks*

Name Current Residence[a] Benoit Angulo New Orleans, Louisiana Tres Barnard New Orleans, Louisiana Bart Bell New Orleans, Louisiana Michael Doyle New Orleans, Louisiana Nick Lama New Orleans, Louisiana Bradley McGehee New Orleans, Louisiana Casey Morvant New Orleans, Louisiana Chris Wadsworth New Orleans, Louisiana

### Top 19

Name Hometown Current Residence[b] Age Benedetto "Bene" Bartolotta Astoria, New York New York, New York 27 Ramon Bojorquez Rio Rico, Arizona San Diego, California 31 Janine Booth Perth, Australia New York, New York 25 Shirley Chung Beijing, China Las Vegas, Nevada 36 Jason Cichonski Bucks County, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 27 Stephanie Cmar Boston, Massachusetts 28 Nina Compton Saint Lucia New Orleans, Louisiana 34 Aaron Cuschieri Livonia, Michigan Chicago, Illinois 29 Justin Devillier Dana Point, California New Orleans, Louisiana 32 Nicholas Elmi West Newbury, Massachusetts Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 32 Carlos Gaytan Huitzuco, Guerrero, Mexico Chicago, Illinois 42 Brian Huskey Pasadena, California Los Angeles, California 32 Sara Johannes Milwaukee, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota 36 Louis Maldonado Ukiah, California Healdsburg, California 32 Travis Masar La Junta, Colorado Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 27 Carrie Mashaney Carpenter, Iowa Seattle, Washington 35 Bret Pelaggi Norwood, Massachusetts Miami, Florida 34 Michael Sichel Valhalla, New York New Orleans, Louisiana 46 Patricia "Patty" Vega Gurabo, Puerto Rico New York, New York 29

Shirley Chung competed in *[Top Chef Duels](/source/Top_Chef_Duels)*, and later returned to compete in *[Top Chef: Charleston](/source/Top_Chef:_Charleston)*.[14][15] Stephanie Cmar returned for *[Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.](/source/Top_Chef:_All-Stars_L.A.)*[16]

## Contestant progress

Episode # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Quickfire Challenge Winner(s) Carrie Shirley Team L. Nina Brian Brian Shirley Carrie Shirley Nicholas Shirley Carlos Nicholas Contestant Elimination Challenge Results 1 Nicholas IN LOW IN IN HIGH HIGH LOW IN WIN WIN IN LOW LOW LOW LOW WIN WINNER 2 Nina WIN IN HIGH HIGH LOW WIN HIGH HIGH IN IN LOW HIGH WIN HIGH HIGH IN RUNNER-UP 3 Shirley IN IN IN WIN IN IN IN HIGH IN IN WIN IN LOW WIN WIN OUT Louis IN IN LOW IN IN IN IN OUT OUT 5 Carlos IN HIGH LOW IN WIN IN HIGH WIN IN HIGH HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH OUT 6 Brian IN HIGH IN IN LOW IN LOW IN HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH HIGH OUT 7 Stephanie IN IN HIGH LOW IN IN WIN LOW HIGH HIGH LOW WIN OUT 8 Carrie HIGH WIN IN HIGH IN IN HIGH IN HIGH IN IN OUT 9 Justin IN IN WIN HIGH IN HIGH IN LOW LOW LOW OUT 10 Travis IN HIGH IN LOW WIN LOW LOW IN HIGH OUT 11 Sara HIGH IN IN LOW IN LOW IN IN OUT 12 Patty LOW LOW IN HIGH HIGH IN OUT 13 Bene IN IN IN LOW LOW OUT 14 Michael IN IN IN IN OUT 15 Janine IN IN IN OUT 16 Bret IN LOW OUT 17 Aaron LOW HIGH OUT 18 Jason IN OUT 19 Ramon OUT

- 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](/source/List_of_Top_Chef_episodes)

<onlyinclude></onlyinclude>

## *Last Chance Kitchen*

Main article: [Top Chef#Last Chance Kitchen](/source/Top_Chef#Last_Chance_Kitchen)

No. Title Original air date

## References

**Notes**

1. The contestants' city and state of residence during time of filming.

1. 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..."](http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/the-dish/top-chef-season-11-heads-to). [Bravo](/source/Bravo_(American_TV_network)). Retrieved August 13, 2013.

1. Walker, Dave (August 12, 2013). ["'Top Chef: New Orleans' to premiere Oct. 2, season guests to include Leah Chase, Kermit Ruffins"](http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2013/08/top_chef_new_orleans_season_pr.html). *[The Times-Picayune](/source/The_Times-Picayune)*. Retrieved August 13, 2013.

1. Conrad, Marissa (2014-01-06). ["EXCLUSIVE: Top Chef Goes Tropical! See Where the Finale Will Be Held"](http://greatideas.people.com/2014/01/06/top-chef-new-orleans-finale-maui-hawaii/). *[People](/source/People_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Bricker, Tierney (August 12, 2013). ["Top Chef: New Orleans Premiere Date Announced: Watch Season 11 Promo Featuring Lea Michele Now!"](http://www.eonline.com/news/448161/top-chef-new-orleans-premiere-date-announced-watch-season-11-promo-featuring-lea-michele-now). [E! Online](/source/E!_Online). Retrieved August 13, 2013.

1. Walker, Dave (May 13, 2013). ["State, local tourism offices paying $375,000 to underwrite 'Top Chef: New Orleans'"](http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2013/05/state_local_tourism_offices_pa.html). *[The Times-Picayune](/source/The_Times-Picayune)*. Retrieved August 13, 2013.

1. Walker, Dave (August 9, 2013). ["New Orleans chefs to compete for 'Top Chef' role in online competition"](http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2013/08/new_orleans_chefs_to_compete_f.html). *[The Times-Picayune](/source/The_Times-Picayune)*. Retrieved August 13, 2013.

1. Chan, Anna (February 6, 2014). ["'Top Chef' judges defend shocking finale decision"](http://www.today.com/popculture/top-chef-judges-defend-shocking-finale-decision-2D12067588). *[Today](/source/Today_(American_TV_program))*. Retrieved August 11, 2014.

1. Doss, Laine (March 3, 2014). ["Nina Compton on Life After Top Chef"](http://www.miaminewtimes.com/restaurants/nina-compton-on-life-after-top-chef-6591377). *[Miami New Times](/source/Miami_New_Times)*. Retrieved March 9, 2017.

1. ["Introducing the 'Top Chef' Season 11 Cheftestants"](https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/introducing-the-top-chef-season-11-cheftestants). *[Bravo](/source/Bravo_(American_TV_network))*. August 12, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2019.

1. Walker, Dave (August 13, 2013). ["Bravo releases second batch of 'Top Chef: New Orleans' chefs, second video"](https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/article_1a002cd4-44fc-5805-90e7-cb8d6c6a44f9.html#incart_river). *[The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate](/source/The_Times-Picayune/The_New_Orleans_Advocate)*. Retrieved November 23, 2019.

1. Walker, Dave (August 14, 2013). ["Bravo announces third batch of 'Top Chef: New Orleans' chefs"](https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/article_94fe155f-df0a-5178-9ad1-81c17502ac68.html). *[The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate](/source/The_Times-Picayune/The_New_Orleans_Advocate)*. Retrieved November 23, 2019.

1. ["Cast & Info - Top Chef Season 11"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131008030353/http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-11). *[Bravo](/source/Bravo_(American_TV_network))*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/season-11) on October 8, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2025.

1. Walker, Dave (August 14, 2013). ["'Padma's Picks' delivers surprise twist to 'Top Chef: New Orleans'"](https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/article_a9bcf1d0-5458-5060-9b04-16df0c32f170.html). *[The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate](/source/The_Times-Picayune/The_New_Orleans_Advocate)*. Retrieved November 23, 2019.

1. Ng, Philiana (June 4, 2014). ["Bravo's 'Top Chef Duels' Lands Premiere Date, Celebrity Guests (Exclusive)"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bravos-top-chef-duels-lands-708946). *[The Hollywood Reporter](/source/The_Hollywood_Reporter)*. Retrieved December 11, 2019.

1. Spence, Shay (October 20, 2016). ["Top Chef Is Bringing Back 8 Fan Favorite Contestants — See Who Made the Cut"](http://people.com/food/top-chef-new-season-charleston-returning-chefs/). *[People](/source/People_(magazine))*. Retrieved March 10, 2017.

1. Huff, Lauren (December 12, 2019). ["Unpack your knives: Top Chef announces all-star lineup for season 17"](https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/12/top-chef-all-star-lineup-season-17/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Retrieved December 12, 2019.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Top Chef: New Orleans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Chef%3A_New_Orleans) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Chef%3A_New_Orleans?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.