“Top Chef” returned for its 19th season on March 3, 2022, bringing the show back to Texas — Houston, to be exact. The show was set in the Lone Star State a decade ago for season nine, stopping in cities like San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin, but not in Houston, which is the fourth most populous city in the United States of America. So how did this year’s cheftestants do? Scroll down for the results of “Top Chef: Houston,” updated every week as another chef packs their knives and goes. (SPOILER ALERT for anyone not caught up on the episodes that have aired thus far.)
The 15 chefs from a wide variety of backgrounds who started the competition were Damarr Brown, Jo Chan, Monica Feybesse, Leia Gaccione, Evelyn Garcia, Robert Hernandez, Jae Jung, Jackson Kalb, Sam Kang, Luke Kolpin, Buddha Lo, Stephanie Miller, Ashleigh Shanti, Nick Wallace, and Sarah Welch. They competed for a grand prize that included a feature in Food and Wine magazine, an appearance at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, and $250,000 from San Pellegrino.
In each episode, the contestants compete in two challenges: the Quickfire Challenge, in which the chefs are given instructions for a dish they must prepare in less than an hour, and the Elimination Challenge, which determines who stays and who goes from the competition as decided this season by Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and a variety of guest judges including “Top Chef” All-Stars and renowned chefs in Houston and across the country. The Quickfire winner typically earns immunity from elimination during the early weeks of the season, after which immunity is replaced by some advantage in the Elimination Challenge.
But if the judges send you packing, that’s not necessarily the end of the road. Eliminated chefs have the opportunity to compete in “Last Chance Kitchen,” where they go head-to-head in a single challenge judged only by Colicchio for a chance to return to the main competition. But you have to win every single time to get back on the show, so contestants eliminated early have their work cut out for them. But the potential payoff is huge: three chefs who have fought through “Last Chance Kitchen” ended up winning the entire competition: Kristen Kish (season 10), Brooke Williamson (season 14), and Joseph Flamm (season 15). So elimination isn’t always the end of the road. See this season’s latest results below.
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Leia Gaccione (15th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Primal Instincts” (Episode 1)
Eliminated For: Top Round Steak Summer Rolls with Peaches & Tahini Lime Sauce
What the Judges Thought: The summer roll was loose and overstuffed, the tahini was overpowering, and the flavor of the beef wasn’t even very good. One bite had so much sinew the judge had to spit it out.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: She defeated Stephanie Miller, Sam Kang, and Robert Hernandez, but she was defeated by Sarah Welch and Ashleigh Shanti. Welch remained in “LCK” to compete against the next eliminated chef, while Shanti returned to the main competition.
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Stephanie Miller (14th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Friday Night Bites” (Episode 2)
Eliminated For: Feijoada with Rice, Cilantro Salad, Toasted Cassava & Orange
What the Judges Thought: She overcooked her rice, and in an effort to focus on carbohydrates as the challenge dictated, she ended up leaving out the flavorful meat she had originally intended to include, resulting in a bland dish.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: In the first head-to-head between eliminated chefs, Miller lost to Leia Gaccione, so she was sent home from the competition for good.
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Sam Kang (13th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Noodles and Rice and Everything Nice” (Episode 3)
Eliminated For: “Samaloo,” Potato Curry with Pomegranate Chutney
What the Judges Thought: Grilling the potatoes for his dish instead of steaming or boiling them proved to be a disaster (he tried to boil them the night before but ran out of time, but he played off grilling as a deliberate choice). the potatoes were undercooked and no longer qualified as a kind of vindaloo.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: He went up against Leia Gaccione in a redemptive potato battle, but he lost the challenge, so he was eliminted from the competition for good.
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Robert Hernandez (12th Place)
Image Credit: Bravo Eliminated In: “Doppelgangers” (Episode 4)
Eliminated For: Strawberry Panna Cotta with Creme Fraiche, Japanese Brown Sugar Crumble, Kiwi, and Basil
What the Judges Thought: In this team challenge, he and his partner Sarah Welch mmade dishes that looked identical but tasted different. However, even though the judges praised Robert for the flavors in his dish, his panna cotta had a loose, unappealing texture. He and Sarah were both eliminated.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: In a triple threat match, Robert and Sarah both went up against Leia Gaccione to make a savory dish judged by Tom Colicchio and a sweet dish judged by “Top Chef” All-Star Brooke Williamson. Unfortunately, he had neither the best sweet nor savory, so he was eliminated from the competition for good.
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Monique Feybesse (11th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Texas Trailblaze-hers” (Episode 6)
Eliminated For: Fried Oysters with Assorted Beans, Pickled Okra, and Pancetta Bean Broth
What the Judges Thought: Her flavorful broth didn’t actually make it to all the dishes she served, and those who did get the broth thought the flavor lacked depth. As for the rest of the meal, her beans were bland like they had come out of a can, and her oysters were dry because she made the poor decision to cut them.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: She had to redeem herself in a broth battle against Sarah Welch, but while Tom Colicchio liked Feybesse’s dish, Colicchio chose Welch as the winner and Feybesse was eliminated from the competition for good.
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Jo Chan (10th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Swallow the Competition” (Episode 7)
Eliminated For: Barbecue Stuffed Quail with Romesco and Roasted Carrots
What the Judges Thought: It was a simple dish, but unfortunately that made her mistakes stand out more. Her quail was overcooked and dry, and the under-glazed carrots seemed like an “afterthought.”
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: She had a chance to redeem herself with another stuffing challenge, but she lost to Sarah Welch and was eliminated for good.
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Jackson Kalb (9th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Restaurant Wars” (Episode 8)
Eliminated For: “No Nem” family-style Asian restaurant concept, where he cooked Shortbread Cookie with Mandarin Orange Citrus Curd and Whipped Coconut
What the Judges Thought: While the judges thought his deseert was underwhelming, they were also frustrated by his barely-there front-of-house service and the ill-conceived family-style concept he came up with for his team.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: He had a chance to redeem himself with a ghost kitchen meal-delivery concept, but while judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons liked his casual Italian dishes, he lost to Sarah Welch, which meant he was out of the competition for good.
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Luke Kolpin (8th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Freedmen’s Town” (Episode 9)
Eliminated For: Mom’s Meatloaf “Frikadeller Style” with White Cheddar Mash and Gravy Glaze
What the Judges Thought: The judges liked all the chefs’ dishes for this challenge. The deciding factor that got him sent home was meat that was too dense and not juicy enough.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: Since he struggled all season with his seasoning, he underwent a blind taste test and cooked whatever he wanted with the herbs and spices he correctly identified. Unfortunately, he added salt to his dish too late and Sarah Welch won, knocking him out of the competition for good.
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Jae Jung (7th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Dinner in Zero Gravity” (Episode 10)
Eliminated For: Bulgogi with Gochujang Barley, Sesame Mushrooms, and Carrots
What the Judges Thought: The beef was so thinly sliced that it fell apart into mush on the plate, and her barley was undercooked.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: In the grueling two-part “LCK” finale, she faced Sarah Welch, but Jung lost, which meant she was eliminated from the competition for good while Welch returned to the main competition.
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Ashleigh Shanti (6th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Don’t Mess with BBQ” (Episode 5)
Eliminated For: Kitchen Pepper Rubbed Brisket, Sweet Potato Slicks, and Cream of Collard Soup
What the Judges Thought: The brisket was sliced too thick, making it hard to eat, and it felt like the meat was under-seasoned and drowning in the soup.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: In a two-part “LCK” with three chefs, she and Sarah Welch won the first round, resulting in the elimination of Leia Gaccione. In round two she beat Welch, leaving Welch in “LCK” and winning Shanti a spot back in the competition.
Eliminated Again In: “Family Vacation” (Episode 11)
Eliminated For: Paella Inspired Heirloom Rice with Red Shrimp and Calamari
What the Judges Thought: Despite some good flavors in her dish, her calamari were undercooked to the point of being raw, so much so that Padma Lakshmi had to spit it out.
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Nick Wallace (5th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “We’re on a Boat” (Episode 12)
Eliminated For: Fried Redfish Taco with Pickled Peppers and Smoked Tomato Crema; Seared Bull Redfish Cake with Lemon Beurre Blanc & Mushroom Ragout
What the Judges Thought: The redfish was overcooked and dry in his taco, and he forgot the binder for his redfish cake until the last minute, leaving it as a loose mush.
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Damarr Brown (4th Place)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Eliminated In: “Cactus Makes Perfect” (Episode 13)
Eliminated For: Pork Shoulder Glazed in Chiltepin Barbecue Sauce, Pikliz with Chiltepin, Grilled Nopales, and Red Bean Puree; Prickly Pear Cake Glazed with Prickly Pear Topped with Buttermilk Cheese, Saguaro, and Frozen Mango
What the Judges Thought: The cake was a big hit with the judges for its rich color and subtle flavor. However, his pork shoulder lacked chiltepin flavor, and the elements didn’t cohere into a single unified dish.
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Evelyn Garcia (Runner-Up)
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Final Result Announced: “The Final Plate” (Episode 14)
What She Cooked for Final Challenge: First course: Scallop crudo. Second course: Crystal dumplings with aromatic broth. Third course: Goat curry mole. Fourth course: Buñuelo with cajeta panna cotta, cardamom, whipped cream, and basil
What the Judges Thought: Her scallop needed a little more salt. And her goat curry mole needed more of the sauce flavor in the actual meat. But her crystal dumplings and buñuelo got rave reviews.
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Sarah Welch (Runner-Up)
Image Credit: Bravo Eliminated In: “Doppelgangers” (Episode 4)
Eliminated For: Shrimp Sausage, Brown Butter Brioche Crumb with Compressed Cucumber Pickles and Pepper Sauce
What the Judges Thought: In this team challenge, she and her partner Robert Hernandez made dishes that looked identical but tasted different. Unfortunately, her brioche was “spongey and overworked,” and the judges were baffled as to why she would make a shrimp dish when she herself is allergic to shellfish. She and Robert were both eliminated.
“Last Chance Kitchen” result: In a triple threat match, Robert and Sarah both went up against Leia Gaccione to make a savory dish judged by Tom Colicchio and a sweet dish judged by “Top Chef” All-Star Brooke Williamson. Sarah had the best savory dish, so she stayed alive in the competition.
Then in another triple threat match, she beat Leia Gaccione, but lost to Ashleigh Shanti. Shanti returned to the main compettition, Gaccione was eliminated for good, and Welch remained in “LCK” awaiting the next eliminated chef. That turned out to be Monique Feybesse, whom she bested, and then she beat Jo Chan, Jackson Kalb, Luke Kolpin, and Jae jung to earn a spot back in the main competition. She tied the record for the most “LCK” victories in “Top Chef” history.
Final Result Announced: “The Final Plate” (Episode 14)
What She Cooked for Final Challenge: First course: Venison tartare with Sonoran focaccia and smoked butter. Second course: Squash tortellini in corn broth with three sisters salad. Third course: Rabbit ballotine with grains, nuts, and greens salad. Fourth course: Smoked buttermilk ice cream with acorn cake.
What the Judges Thought: Her acorn cake was the biggest hit among her dishes, but her rabbit was both overcooked and undercooked in places, and her tortellini dish had too many conflicting flavors.
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top chef buddha lo padma lakshmi
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo Final Result Announced: “The Final Plate” (Episode 14)
What He Cooked for Final Challenge: First course: Hamachi with caviar. Second course: Lobster laksa. Third course: Mongolian lamb. Fourth course: Pumpkin pie mille-feuille
What the Judges Thought: Every single dish got rave reviews, especially his first course, which Tom Colicchio called a three-star Michelin-level dish. His laksa was perfectly cooked, if a little fussy. His Mongolian lamb was also perfectly cooked. And the mille-feuille only needed some more maple filling.
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More on ‘Top Chef’
Image Credit: David Moir/Bravo ‘Top Chef’ season 19 cast: Meet the 15 chefs competing on ‘Top Chef: Houston’
Recaps:
‘Top Chef: Houston’ finale recap: Did Evelyn, Buddha, or Sarah win season 19?
Last Chance Kitchen:
‘Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen’: A soup smackdown to make up for Monique’s broth debacle [WATCH]
