Since the series first aired in 2006, Top Chef has taken fans into the fast-paced culinary world. Viewers tune in weekly to watch the renowned chefs tackle crazy cooking challenges while being judged by a panel of esteemed judges. Over the course of the show's history, many chefs have entered the competition and created a lot of iconic dishes.
As season 18 comes to a close, fans take a look back at some of the notable winners. Over the past 15 years, the winning chefs have taken the opportunity to open new restaurants, been featured in magazines, and created cookbooks. However, fans still remember the dishes they created during their time on Top Chef that helped to solidify their win.
10 Richard Blais - Raw Tuna Belly & Fried Chicken Skin With Chilies & Lime
Fans of the series know that Richard Blais is a force to be reckoned with. He originally competed in season 4, but was beaten by Stephanie Izard in the series finale. After his loss, Blais picked himself up and went on to compete in the All-Stars season. He worked tirelessly and was able to secure his win in the season finale.
Blais was able to create many dishes during his time on the show, but his most iconic dish was raw tuna belly and fried chicken skin with chilies and lime. Blais created this dish during the difficult and memorable Restaurant Wars challenge. Diners were able to choose the winning restaurant in this challenge, and they absolutely loved Blais' dish.
9 Paul Qui - Chilled Coconut Soup With Kaffir Lime & Ghost Pepper Relish
Paul Qui was a dominant competitor during season 9. He won 9 of the 17 challenges and proved that he was a talented chef. Qui worked his way to victory easily among his competitors and was able to impress the judges with his dynamic cooking that stuck close to his roots.
Qui was a powerhouse top chef and was able to create many fantastic dishes. However, his most iconic dish of the series was a chilled coconut soup with kaffir lime and ghost pepper relish. Qui created this dish in a Quickfire Challenge that required the chefs to incorporate chilies that ranged from mild to hot on the Scoville scale. Qui impressed judges with his ability to use spicy peppers in a way that wasn't overpowering, showcasing once again his range of culinary ability.
8 Kristen Kish - Poached Chicken Breast & Carrot Puree With Garlic & Tofu Emulsion
Kristen Kish was another winner of Top Chef that proved she was a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen. Kish was quietly confident during season 10 and showcased her talents while staying under the radar. However, Kish was eliminated in episode 11. She rallied and battled her way back into the competition and was able to solidify her win.
Kish created dishes that reminded her of her childhood and made her happy. Her most iconic dish was a poached chicken breast and carrot puree with a garlic and tofu emulsion. Kish was inspired by a past season event in Top Chef and showed her appreciation for the show and for the past competitors in her creative dish.
7 Nicholas Elmi - Ricotta Gnudi With Pancetta, Peas, Lemon, & Parmesan
Nicholas Elmi was the underdog of his season. He didn't win very many challenges and was in the bottom during the second half of the season. However, he was able to overcome his personal obstacles and stay true to his culinary style in order to take the win.
Elmi's most iconic dish during the series was a ricotta gnudi with pancetta, peas, lemon, and parmesan. Elmi was inspired to create this dish during a challenge where the chefs were asked to create dishes that reminded them of home. Elmi created a dish that wowed judges, while also showing a side of himself that the other competitors had not yet seen.
6 Mei Lin - Congee With Caramelized Pork, Fish Sauce Caramel, & Black Garlic Puree
During season 12, Mei Lin showed off her quiet confidence with food inspired by her past. After training under previous Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio, Lin took the competition by storm and instantly impressed the judges with her culinary ability.
Lin's most iconic dish was created during the first Elimination Challenge of the season. Lin made congee with caramelized pork, fish sauce caramel, and black garlic puree. Lin was inspired by one of the first dishes she learned to prepare and wowed the judges with the dish's simplicity and creativity.
5 Jeremy Ford - Filet De Loup De Mer, Truffle Potato Puree, Pommes Soufflees, & Heirloom Tomato
Jeremy Ford was a cocky competitor during season 13. He was confident in his culinary abilities and impressed judges early on with his classic French techniques, while also modernizing his dishes. Ford started the season with multiple wins but lulled in the middle of the season until he ultimately came out victorious.
Ford created a filet de loup de mer, truffle potato puree, pommes soufflees, and heirloom tomatoes. This iconic dish was inspired by Ford's former French training and he was able to execute difficult culinary techniques under the stress of the competition.
4 Brooke Williamson - Purple Daikon Panna Cotta With Sour Pineapple Curd, White Chocolate Pop Rocks, & Pineapple Black Radish Juice
Brooke Williamson was a powerhouse from her first introduction to the competition. She previously starred in season 10, but ultimately lost to Kristen Kish. Williamson returned to season 14 to redeem herself and cooked food that made her happy. Williamson was able to be a strong competitor throughout the series, even when she was eliminated in episode 11. She was able to battle her way back to the competition and was crowned Top Chef winner.
Williamson's most iconic dish was a purple daikon panna cotta with sour pineapple curd, white chocolate pop rocks, and pineapple black radish juice. The chefs were tasked with creating dishes that highlight radishes. Williamson used this to her advantage and created a unique dish that wowed judges.
3 Joe Flamm - Shallot, Mushroom, & Ginger-Marinated Tenderloin With Peppers
Joe Flamm showcased his confidence throughout his time on season 15. He stayed under the radar for the majority of the season until he was eliminated in episode 9. Despite this, Flamm rebounded and battled his way back into the main competition. He developed newfound confidence after being eliminated, which helped him solidify his victory.
Flamm created a shallot, mushroom, and ginger-marinated tenderloin with peppers that helped represent his culinary abilities to the judges. Flamm created the dish during the infamous Mise en Place Quickfire Challenge. Flamm was able to complete the challenge with a victory and also impressed the judges with his abilities.
2 Kelsey Barnard Clark - Mushroom Broth With Peas, Greens, Orange Rinds, Portuguese Sausage, Cashews, Cilantro, & Chives
During season 16, Kelsey Barnard Clark stayed a steady competitor and fan-favorite Top Chef, and cooked food that the judges adored. Clark cooked food based on her Southern roots and each dish was homey and delicious. She was able to stay true to herself throughout the competition and ended up winning the season.
Clark's most iconic dish was a mushroom broth with peas, greens, orange rinds, Portuguese sausage, cashews, cilantro, and chives. Clark stepped out of her comfort zone in this challenge and was able to create a dish that was delicious and proved to the other competitors that she was a powerful chef.
1 Melissa King - Hong Kong Milk Tiramisu
Melissa King is the most recent winner of Top Chef. During season 17, King displayed her cooking abilities with a quiet determination that wowed judges and proved she was a worthy opponent. King battled with her own insecurities during the season but was ultimately able to overcome her negativity to become victorious.
King created a Hong Kong milk tea tiramisu that completely blew the judges away. Her dish was inspiring and combined two different cultures in a way that was well-thought-out and creative. King's dessert even brought tears to one of the judges because of how delicious it was.
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