''Top Chef: Los Angeles'' is the second season of the American reality television series ''

Top Chef ''Top Chef'' is an American reality competition television series which premiered on Bravo on March 8, 2006. The show features chefs competing against each other in culinary challenges. The contestants are judged by a panel of professional chef ...

''. It was first filmed in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

, before concluding in

Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Waikōloa Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 6,362 at the 2010 census, up from 4,806 at the 2000 census. The name Waikoloa is used by the local post office. Geography Waikō ...

. The season premiered on October 18, 2006 and ended on January 31, 2007.

Padma Lakshmi Padma Parvati Lakshmi (; born September 1, 1970) is an Indian-born American author, activist, actress, model, philanthropist, and television host. She has hosted the cooking competition program ''Top Chef'' on Bravo continuously since season 2 ( ...

replaced Katie Lee Joel as the host, with

Tom Colicchio Thomas Patrick Colicchio (; born August 15, 1962) is an American celebrity chef. He co-founded the Gramercy Tavern in New York City, and formerly served as a co-owner and as the executive chef. He is also the founder of Crafted Hospitality, whic ...

and

Gail Simmons Gail Simmons (born May 19, 1976) is a Canadian-American food writer and cookbook author. She has served as a permanent judge on Bravo's Emmy-winning series ''Top Chef'' since the show's inception in 2006. Simmons was previously the head critic on ...

returning as judges. The winning recipe from each week's episode was featured on Bravo's ''Top Chef'' website and prepared by Season 1 contestant

Lee Anne Wong Lee Anne Wong is an American chef, restauranteur, a television culinary producer, and television figure. She has appeared as a competitor on reality television cooking competitions, and she is a ''Top Chef'' television series alum. Wong was based ...

in a web video called ''The Wong Way to Cook''. Bravo cited negative viewer reaction to the Season 2 chefs' attitudes and overall behavior as the reason why no reunion episode was filmed. In the season finale,

Ilan Hall Ilan D. Hall is an American chef, television personality, and restaurateur. He won second season of ''Top Chef,'' and is owner-chef of Ramen Hood in Los Angeles. Early life and education Hall is a native of Great Neck, New York. His parents wer ...

was declared the winner over runner-up

Marcel Vigneron Marcel Vigneron is an American celebrity chef best known for his award-winning restaurant and catering company, Wolf, in Los Angeles. Marcel was also the runner-up of the second season of ''Top Chef'', which aired in 2006–2007. In 2011, he ha ...

. Sam Talbot was voted Fan Favorite.

Contestants

Fifteen chefs were selected to compete in ''Top Chef: Los Angeles''. Marcel Vigneron and Elia Aboumrad returned to compete in '' Top Chef: All-Stars''. Josie Smith-Malave returned for '' Top Chef: Seattle''. Vigneron later competed in '' Top Chef Duels'', and returned again for '' Top Chef: Colorado'', competing in the ''Last Chance Kitchen''. Sam Talbot returned for '' Top Chef: Charleston''.

Contestant progress

: The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge.
: Otto voluntarily withdrew before Lakshmi eliminated anyone, deciding that his misconduct over the unpaid lychees contributed the most to his team's loss.
: After allegations of cheating, the judges decided not to eliminate anyone. Consequently, two chefs were eliminated in the following episode.
: There were five winners in the Quickfire Challenge. These winners did not compete in the Elimination Challenge.
: Mia voluntarily withdrew before Lakshmi eliminated anyone, fearing Elia would be eliminated.
: Following the Elimination Challenge, no winning team was declared. The Bottom 3 was decided based on each chef's individual performance.
: Cliff was disqualified for aggressive physical contact with Marcel. No one else was eliminated going into the finale. : (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. : (WDR) The chef voluntarily withdrew from the competition. : (DSQ) The chef was disqualified from the competition.

Episodes

References

;Notes ;Footnotes

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Top Chef (Season 2) Top Chef 2006 American television seasons 2007 American television seasons Television shows set in Los Angeles Television shows filmed in California Television shows filmed in Hawaii