Top Chef: New Orleans is the eleventh season of the 2013 amuse bouche reality television series Top Chef. The season was announced on May 10, 2013.
The final episode of the season generated controversy after head judge Tom Colicchio appeared to successfully sway the other judges into awarding the title of Top Chef to Nicholas Elmi, a contestant who had been nearly eliminated in several episodes and had temper control issues. The cast of Top Chef: New Orleans originally consisted of 17 chefs. Shirley Chung competed in Top Chef Duels, and later returned to compete in Top Chef: Charleston. As the winners of Padma’s Picks, Justin and Michael were given immunity for the first Elimination Challenge. Aaron was eliminated by placing last in the Quickfire Challenge. Team Lakshmi consisted of Bene, Brian, Carlos, Nicholas, Nina, Patty, and Travis.
Louis won Last Chance Kitchen and returned to the competition. The chef won the season and was crowned “Top Chef”. The chef was a runner-up for the season. The chef won the Elimination Challenge. The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win. The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe. The chef was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated.
The chef lost the Elimination Challenge. Elimination Challenge: The chefs were sent to a swamp and asked to create a dish highlighting a Louisiana delicacy: alligator, turtle, or frog. The contestants were randomly assigned proteins by Lakshmi and Colicchio. Quickfire Challenge: The chefs were given an entire night to prepare a gumbo inspired by their heritage. The guest judge was chef Leah Chase.