7.0/1040 votes#1 - Melting Pot
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 11/12/2008
One chef is eliminated in a three-round quickfire involving apples. The remaining chefs create dishes representing the ethnic cuisines of several New York neighborhoods.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/1037 votes#2 - Show Your Craft
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 11/19/2008
After re-inventing the hot dog for the quickfire challenge, the chefs cook and serve lunch at Tom's flagship restaurant, Craft.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/1038 votes#3 - Foo Fighters Thanksgiving
Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 11/26/2008
For the quickfire, the chefs recreate dishes from the Top Chef cookbook. In the elimination challenge, they cook Thanksgiving dinner for the Foo Fighters at the band's tour stop in Syracuse, N.Y.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1038 votes#4 - Today Show
Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 12/3/2008
After creating a breakfast amuse-bouche for the quickfire, the contestants compete in a live food demonstration challenge in order to earn a booking on "Today."
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.4/1042 votes#5 - Gail's Bridal Shower
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 12/10/2008
For the quickfire, chefs must identify ingredients in a dish. For the elimination challenge, the contestants cater a bridal shower for judge Gail Simmons.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.2/1046 votes#6 - 12 Days of Christmas
Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 12/17/2008
Domestic guru Martha Stewart oversees the quick fire challenge in this holiday-themed edition. Then, actress Natasha Richardson is the guest judge when the cooks cater a Christmas cocktail party in which the proceeds go to the AIDS research.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/1038 votes#7 - Focus Group
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 1/7/2009
The chefs must create a sweet dish without using sugar (guest judge: chef and restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli). In the elimination challenge, chefs prepare a family-style meal for blind judging.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/1040 votes#8 - Down on the Farm
Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 1/14/2009
Contestants shop for fresh ingredients at a farm and then create a dinner for the farm workers.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.3/1039 votes#9 - Restaurant Wars
Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 1/21/2009
Two teams have 24 hours to design and open competing restaurants.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/1041 votes#10 - Super Bowl Chef Showdown
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 1/28/2009
A Super Bowl cook-off against seven all-stars from previous seasons.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/1039 votes#11 - Le Bernardin
Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 2/4/2009
After a three-round fish filleting tournament, the contestants cook at Le Bernadin where their final product will be judged by chef Eric Ripert.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/1038 votes#12 - The Last Supper
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 2/11/2009
Wylie Dufresne judges a quickfire challenge of egg dishes. For the elimination challenge, the five remaining chefs each cook a "last supper" dish requested by a culinary superstar.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.5/1039 votes#13 - Finale, Part 1
Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 2/18/2009
The season finale finds the chefs traveling from New York to New Orleans. While in the "Big Easy" they will be challenged to kick it up a notch when celebrity judge/chef Emeril Lagasse stops by to appraise their culinary skills.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.7/1036 votes#14 - Finale, Part 2
Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 2/25/2009
Set in New Orleans, season 5 ends as the winning chef is revealed.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
6.6/1022 votes#15 - Watch What Happens Reunion
Season 5 Episode 15 - Aired 3/4/2009
Andy Cohen hosts a candid gathering of season five's chefs and judges.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Top Chef Season 5
Every episode of Top Chef Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Top Chef Season 5!
An American reality competition show in which chefs compete against each other in culinary challenges and are judged by a panel of professional chefs and...
Genre:Reality
Network:Bravo
Season 5 Ratings Summary
"Melting Pot" is the best rated episode of "Top Chef" season 5. It scored 7/10 based on 40 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 11/12/2008. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Show Your Craft".