Top Chef: Season 5

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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Top Chef

Now Playing: Top Chef

Season Details & Credits

Bravo | Season Premiere Date: November 12, 2008

Starring: Gail Simmons, Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio

Summary: 17 contestants compete for the title of Top Chef in New York City for the show's fifth season.

Genre(s): Reality, Game Show, Food & Cooking

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Season 5 Episodes

tbd
S5:E15. Watch What Happens Reunion
Air Date: March 4, 2009
tbd
S5:E14. Finale Part 2
Air Date: February 25, 2009
tbd
S5:E13. Finale Part 1
Air Date: February 18, 2009

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Alan Sepinwall

The challenges--including a head-to-head competition where pairs of chefs are sent into various New York neighborhoods and told to cook the local cuisine--seem appropriately Big Apple-centric without being silly. Read full review

Heather Havrilesky

Skilled chefs, great dishes, a few doomed nervous Nellies and lots of petty squabbles ahead? What more could a loyal Top Chef fan ask for? Read full review

Ginia Bellafante

Top Chef promises more than a clash of personalities; it inspires patriotism. Read full review

By dint of smart casting, imaginative challenges and A-list guests, Top Chef retains its three stars for culinary entertainment. Read full review

Linda Stasi

Great fun, good personalities and some fine food. All in all, the start to another good season(ing). Read full review

David Hinckley

Top Chef is a show where you wouldn't mind having almost any of these people fix your dinner. That may sound like a formula for disaster among these types of shows, but in reality, it works out well. Read full review

User Score

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7.5

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Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

ChrisS.

Dec 30, 2008

I love this show and I'm not ashamed to say that. However, I am not liking the "Real World-esque" inclusions that they've really pushed into Season 3. I also don't understand why in the initial episodes, they would refrain from showing the dishes of EVERY chef - not just the I love this show and I'm not ashamed to say that. However, I am not liking the "Real World-esque" inclusions that they've really pushed into Season 3. I also don't understand why in the initial episodes, they would refrain from showing the dishes of EVERY chef - not just the ones that the producers are trying to set viewers up to love/hate. Each of the contestants brings something different to the realm of food and instead of focusing on asides of the European duo frolicking, flirtatious moments, unnecessary "drama", etc., I'd love to see them cooking and hear more about the backstories of each of the culinary competitors.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AnthonyU

Mar 10, 2009

After this unremarkable season I think the show should be renamed "Mediocre Chef."

0 of 0 users found this helpful

aaronpaul121

Dec 30, 2011

This show is not as exciting as I was expecting. I think it lack suprises...although it has suprises. Maybe the actions of the chefs is the reason because we can predict on what they are going to do next.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RedD.

Nov 19, 2008

I don't like the trend that Top Chef, Top Design, and Project Runway are having of getting more experienced contestants. Watching people who already have made a name for themselves is not as interesting or exciting as the first seasons when people were experienced but not already I don't like the trend that Top Chef, Top Design, and Project Runway are having of getting more experienced contestants. Watching people who already have made a name for themselves is not as interesting or exciting as the first seasons when people were experienced but not already top-of-the-line professionals. The judges are all returning from prior seasons. It will be interesting to see what challenges are created this time around.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Seasons & Episodes

72

Series Overview
Season 23

tbd
- Season 23 Overview
  Air Date: March 9, 2026
Season 22

tbd
- Season 22 Overview
  Air Date: March 13, 2025
Season 21

tbd
- Season 21 Overview
  Air Date: March 20, 2024
Season 20

tbd
- Season 20 Overview
  Air Date: March 9, 2023
Season 19

tbd
- Season 19 Overview
  Air Date: March 3, 2022
Season 18

tbd
- Season 18 Overview
  Air Date: April 1, 2021
Season 17

tbd
- Season 17 Overview
  Air Date: March 19, 2020
Season 16

tbd
- Season 16 Overview
  Air Date: December 6, 2018
Season 15

tbd
- Season 15 Overview
  Air Date: December 7, 2017
Season 14

tbd
- Season 14 Overview
  Air Date: December 1, 2016
Season 13

tbd
- Season 13 Overview
  Air Date: December 2, 2015
Season 12

tbd
- Season 12 Overview
  Air Date: October 15, 2014
Season 11

tbd
- Season 11 Overview
  Air Date: October 2, 2013
Season 10

tbd
- Season 10 Overview
  Air Date: November 7, 2012
Season 9

tbd
- Season 9 Overview
  Air Date: November 2, 2011
Season 8

tbd
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: December 1, 2010
Season 7

67
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: June 16, 2010
Season 6

78
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: August 19, 2009
Season 5

75
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: November 12, 2008
- tbd
  S5:E15. Watch What Happens Reunion
  Air Date: March 4, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E14. Finale Part 2
  Air Date: February 25, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E13. Finale Part 1
  Air Date: February 18, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E12. The Last Supper
  Air Date: February 11, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E11. Le Bernardin
  Air Date: February 4, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E10. Super Bowl Chef Showdown
  Air Date: January 28, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E9. Restaurant Wars
  Air Date: January 21, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E8. Down On the Farm
  Air Date: January 14, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E7. Focus Group
  Air Date: January 7, 2009
- tbd
  S5:E6. 12 Days of Christmas
  Air Date: December 17, 2008
- tbd
  S5:E5. Gail's Bridal Shower
  Air Date: December 10, 2008
- tbd
  S5:E4. Today Show
  Air Date: December 3, 2008
- tbd
  S5:E3. Foo Fighters Thanksgiving
  Air Date: November 26, 2008
- tbd
  S5:E2. Show Your Craft
  Air Date: November 19, 2008
- tbd
  S5:E1. Melting Pot
  Air Date: November 12, 2008
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: March 12, 2008
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: June 13, 2007
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 18, 2006
Season 1

64
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: March 8, 2006