Top Chef: California
Season 13 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Picks up essential narrative continuity directly following the events of Top Chef Season 12.
- Character alliances, factions, and personal loyalties undergo significant shifts under escalating stakes.
- Addresses unresolved cliffhangers and thematic mysteries introduced during previous seasons.
- Establishes the primary seasonal conflict that drives serialized character arcs toward the finale.
Episode Guide
Season 13 Progress Shield
Stop the Presses
Dec 2, 2015 · 42 min
Top chefs arrive in Los Angeles in the opener of Season 13, which will feature the foodies competing in six cities across California. Here, they try to wow food critics and reporte
Pop Up Pandemonium
Dec 3, 2015 · 42 min
The foodies must open distinct pop-up restaurants in various Los Angeles neighborhoods. Appearing: chef and pop-up impresario Ludo Lefebvre.
Spines and Vines
Dec 10, 2015 · 42 min
The chefs visit Santa Barbara, where they pick up fresh sea urchin for use in a challenge. Later, a surf-and-turf war erupts.
It's a Dry Heat
Dec 17, 2015 · 42 min
Palm Springs, Cal., is the destination for culinary competition. Here, the chefs use solar-powered stoves in the desert, then prepare dishes on a famed golf course. Appearing: John
Big Gay Wedding
Jan 7, 2016 · 42 min
Top dishes for dates are served up by the chefs in Palm Springs, Cal. Later, they cater a wedding for 25 gay couples. Appearing: model Chrissy Teigen and foodie Art Smith.
Banannaise
Jan 14, 2016 · 42 min
The chefs head to San Diego and cook up high-end fish tacos. Then, they prepare dishes to complement handcrafted microbrews. Appearing: chef Javier Plascenia.
Back in the Day
Jan 21, 2016 · 42 min
The chefs return to Los Angeles to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary. A restrictive challenge limits them to 10 ingredients, then they walk down memory lane by creating a dish
Where's the Beef?
Jan 28, 2016 · 42 min
The chefs participate in a plating challenge by preparing visually appealing dishes using only snack food. Then, they cook for diners at a black-tie, finger-food event called Beefs
Restaurant Wars, Part 1
Feb 4, 2016 · 42 min
The iconic "Restaurant Wars" challenge ensues, with the chefs opening eateries for both lunch and dinner services.
Restaurant Wars, Part 2
Feb 11, 2016 · 42 min
The "Restaurant Wars" challenge progresses with the chefs serving up dinner, during which everything from concept and food to service and consistency will be appraised.
Wok This Way
Feb 25, 2016 · 42 min
A showdown includes woks when the chefs visit San Francisco's Chinatown. Later, they must
Back Where It All Started
Mar 3, 2016 · 42 min
San Francisco is the setting when the competing foodies cook for chef Traci Des Jardins. Later, they try to wow master chef Hubert Keller, the judges and San Francisco culinary eli
Magic Hour
Mar 10, 2016 · 42 min
The chefs land in Las Vegas and participate in a high-stakes challenge of cards and cuisine. Later, they must conjure culinary magic for illusionist David Copperfield.
Finale
Mar 17, 2016 · 42 min
The top chef is crowned in the Season 13 finale. Before that, the final two culinarians must prepare the meal of their lives for their mentors and fallen colleagues. Appearing: Eme