''Top Chef: California'' is the thirteenth 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 ch ...

''. The season was announced by Bravo on April 14, 2015. Similar to '' Top Chef: Texas'', filming took place in several locations across California, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Oakland, and the greater Palm Springs area, concluding with a finale in Las Vegas, Nevada. ''Top Chef: California'' had a two-night premiere on December 2–3, 2015. Host

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 ...

and head judge

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 ...

returned, alongside judges Gail Simmons, Emeril Lagasse, and

Richard Blais Richard Blais (born February 12, 1972) is an American chef, television personality, restaurateur and author. He appeared on the reality show cooking show '' Top Chef'', and is known for his take on classic American cuisine. Blais was the runner ...

, among others. The companion web series, ''Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen'', also returned, premiering immediately following the second part of the season premiere on December 3, 2015. In the season finale, Jeremy Ford was declared the winner over runner-up Amar Santana. Isaac Toups was voted Fan Favorite.

Contestants

Seventeen chefs competed in ''Top Chef: California'', which included one returning contestant, Grayson Schmitz, who originally competed in '' Top Chef: Texas''. Kwame Onwuachi returned for '' Top Chef: Colorado'', competing in the ''Last Chance Kitchen''. Karen Akunowicz returned for '' Top Chef: All-Stars L.A.'' Amar Santana returned for '' Top Chef: World All-Stars''.

Contestant progress

: The chef(s) did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge.
: Angelina lost the Sudden Death Quickfire Challenge and was eliminated.
: Amar lost the Sudden Death Quickfire Challenge and was eliminated.
: As the winner of the Quickfire Challenge, Jeremy automatically advanced to the finale; therefore, he did not have to compete in the Elimination Challenge.
: Amar won ''Last Chance Kitchen'' and returned to the competition.

: (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.

Episodes

''Last Chance Kitchen''

References

;Notes ;Footnotes

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Top Chef (Season 13) Top Chef 2015 American television seasons 2016 American television seasons Television shows set in California Television shows filmed in California Television shows shot in the Las Vegas Valley