As one of the most popular cooking competition shows on television, Top Chef has been known to attract some of the biggest names in Hollywood to its kitchen. Over the years, the show has had many memorable celebrity guest judges and contestants, adding a unique twist to its already thrilling format.
This article will take a look at some of the best Top Chef episodes that are memorable and also feature celebrity judges.
Best Top Chef Episodes Featuring Celebrity Judges
Source: Vulture
We have compiled a list of Top Chef’s 30 best celebrity appearances, ranking them from memorable to iconic.
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris (Season 10, Episode 6)
For this episode’s elimination challenge, the chefs had to cook for Pratt and Faris’ coming-home party, providing dishes that highlighted their German, Swedish, and Norwegian ancestry and preference for foods like seafood and game. While it was a fun episode at the time, it didn’t age well since the couple later divorced.
Buzz Aldrin (Season 7, Episode 12)
The chefs had to create zero-gravity-friendly dishes that could be freeze-dried and sent into space, with the winner gaining the opportunity to have their dish prepared by NASA and flown aboard a space shuttle mission. The challenge tested the creativity and adaptability of the remaining contestants, and it was interesting to hear firsthand accounts of what it’s like to be in space from Aldrin.
Danny Trejo (Season 17, Episode 7)
Trejo, who owns the restaurant Trejo’s Tacos, was a guest judge for a Quickfire challenge based on tacos. The chefs had to make the perfect taco in 30 minutes, but the catch was that they had to trade out all of their utensils for machetes as an homage to Trejo’s film, Machete. The twist was bold and anxiety-inducing, and it was amusing to watch the chefs run around the kitchen with large machetes in their hands.
Joe Jonas (Season 8, Episode 2)
During the height of his career as a Disney movie star and a pop boy-band sensation with the Jonas Brothers, Joe Jonas made a guest-judging appearance on Top Chef: New York. He judged an epic Quickfire challenge where two teams of chefs had to make a midnight snack and breakfast for a group of hyper elementary schoolers spending the night at a museum.
Natalie Portman (Season 6, Episode 10)
Actress Natalie Portman, a self-proclaimed foodie, and vegetarian, judged an episode of Top Chef: Las Vegas. The chefs had to create vegetarian dishes that fit her dietary restrictions, which made for an interesting challenge since most of the chefs were meat lovers. Despite this, the chefs made impressive dishes that satisfied Portman’s cravings.
Sesame Street (Season 8, Episode 10)
Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Telly from Sesame Street made an appearance on Top Chef for a Quickfire challenge where the chefs had to make the most delicious cookies possible. It was a funny and entertaining episode, although it’s unclear how the chefs kept a straight face while interacting with the Sesame Street characters.
Foo Fighters (Season 5, Episode 3)
Rock band Foo Fighters, who are huge Top Chef fans, appeared in a Thanksgiving-themed episode where the chefs had to make an innovative Thanksgiving feast using only microwaves and toaster ovens. The winning team got to see the band perform afterward.
Charlize Theron (Season 9, Episode 11)
To promote her movie Snow White and the Huntsman, Charlize Theron challenged the contestants to make a gothic-themed feast fit for an evil queen. The chefs had to flex their creative muscles to make inventive and artistic dishes. Theron’s appearance was iconic and made up for the overall messiness of the season.
Anthony Bourdain (Various, 2006-2011)
Although Anthony Bourdain was not always a guest judge on Top Chef and could be considered an official judge, he occasionally appeared as a guest judge. Bourdain was a culinary mastermind who offered honest and often hilarious commentary on the food he was served.
Takeaway
Source: Vulture
Top Chef has had many memorable episodes featuring celebrity judges and contestants. From creative challenges to tense competitions, these episodes have become fan favorites and have helped make Top Chef one of the most beloved cooking shows on television.
