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Top Chef Family Style
View on Wikipedia
| Top Chef Family Style | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Presented by | Meghan Trainor |
| Judges | Marcus Samuelsson |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Doneen Arquines |
| Production company | Magical Elves |
| Original release | |
| Network | Peacock |
| Release | September 9 – December 2, 2021 |
| Related | |
| Top Chef | |
Top Chef Family Style is an American reality television series and a spin-off of Bravo's Top Chef series. The show features young chefs teaming up with adult family members to compete in culinary challenges for a US$100,000 prize.[1][2] The series was ordered in May 2021 by streaming service Peacock.[1] It is hosted by Meghan Trainor with Marcus Samuelsson serving as head judge.[1] The series premiered on September 9, 2021, and concluded on December 2, 2021.[3] In the season finale, niece and uncle Delilah and Daniel "Danny" Flores were declared the winners, with daughter and mother Anika and Anupama "Anu" Kumar placing as runners-up.[4] In 2022, the second episode "Truffles, Caviar & Prawns -- Oh My!" received the James Beard Foundation Award for Reality or Competition Visual Media.[5]
Contestants
[edit]Top Chef Family Style features 13 pairs of contestants, referred to as "duos".[6] The cast includes the youngest and oldest competitors to appear in the Top Chef franchise.[6]
| Names[6] | Ages | Relationship[6] | Hometown[6] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiran Alwy & Moid Alwy | 14, 42 | Daughter & Father | St. Louis Park, Minnesota |
| Milan Bhayana & Chandrani Ghosh | 15, 50 | Son & Mother | Chevy Chase, Maryland |
| Khalil Blue & Willie Blue | 13, 41 | Son & Father | Houston, Texas |
| Ainsley Crouse & Hayley Crouse | 11, 40 | Daughter & Mother | Douglassville, Pennsylvania |
| Jack Cruickshank & Bobbie Lopez | 12, 51 | Son & Mother | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Taylor Ellison & Elizabeth Frame Ellison | 9, 38 | Son & Mother | San Francisco, California |
| Delilah Flores & Daniel "Danny" Flores | 13, 24 | Niece & Uncle | Ontario, California |
| Kaj Friis-Hecht & Liz Thorpe | 14, 42 | Nephew & Aunt | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Ocean Kanekoa & Jaydene Kanekoa | 15, 34 | Brother & Sister | Kamuela, Hawaii |
| Eva Kopelman & Jenn Kopelman | 14, 55 | Daughter & Mother | Long Island, New York |
| Anika Kumar & Anupama "Anu" Kumar | 12, 46 | Daughter & Mother | Palo Alto, California |
| Brooke Nathanson & Carol Weiss | 12, 75 | Granddaughter & Grandmother | Ashland, Massachusetts |
| Kennedy Torres & Rosie Torres | 15, 41 | Daughter & Mother | Palmer, Alaska |
Contestant progress
[edit]| Episode # | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quickfire Challenge Winners |
Eva & Jenn |
Milan & Chandrani |
— | Delilah & Danny |
Kaj & Liz |
Khalil & Willie |
— | Ocean & Jaydene |
— | Ocean & Jaydene1 |
Delilah & Danny1 |
Delilah & Danny1 |
Ocean & Jaydene1 |
— | |||||
| Duos | Elimination Challenge Results | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Delilah & Danny | IN | WIN | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | IN | WIN | WIN | LOW | HIGH | IN4 | WIN | WINNERS | ||||
| 2 | Anika & Anu | IN | IN | LOW | LOW | WIN | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | IN | LOW | LOW | IN4 | LOW | RUNNERS-UP | ||||
| 3 | Ocean & Jaydene | WIN | IN | HIGH | IN | LOW3 | WIN | IN | IN | IN | WIN | WIN | IN4 | OUT | |||||
| 4 | Kennedy & Rosie | HIGH | IN | HIGH | IN | IN | LOW | WIN | IN | HIGH | HIGH | OUT | |||||||
| 5 | Khalil & Willie | IN | IN | HIGH | IN | IN | IN | IN | HIGH | LOW | OUT | ||||||||
| 6 | Eva & Jenn | IN | IN | WIN | HIGH | HIGH | LOW | IN | LOW | OUT | |||||||||
| 7 | Kaj & Liz | LOW | HIGH | LOW | WIN | IN | IN | LOW | OUT | ||||||||||
| 8 | Jack & Bobbie | HIGH | HIGH | LOW | LOW | LOW3 | IN | OUT | |||||||||||
| 9 | Milan & Chandrani | IN | LOW | LOW | IN | LOW3 | OUT | ||||||||||||
| 10 | Kiran & Moid | LOW | LOW | HIGH | OUT | ||||||||||||||
| 11 | Brooke & Carol | IN | IN | WDR2 | |||||||||||||||
| 12 | Taylor & Elizabeth | IN | OUT | ||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Ainsley & Hayley | OUT | |||||||||||||||||
^Note 1 : The duo did not receive immunity for winning the Quickfire Challenge.
^Note 2 : In Episode 3, Brooke suffered from heat exhaustion during the Elimination Challenge, forcing her and Carol to withdraw from the competition.
^Note 3 : In Episodes 5, the judges decided not to eliminate any duos.
^Note 4 : In Episode 12, the judges did not declare a winner for the Elimination Challenge and all three duos advanced to the next round.
- (WINNERS) The duo won the season.
- (RUNNERS-UP) The duo was the runner-up for the season.
- (WIN) The duo won the Elimination Challenge.
- (HIGH) The duo was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win.
- (IN) The duo was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe.
- (LOW) The duo was selected as one of the bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge, but was not eliminated.
- (OUT) The duo lost the Elimination Challenge.
- (WDR) The duo voluntarily withdrew from the competition.
Episodes
[edit]| No. | Title | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Welcome to the Family" | September 9, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos created dishes showcasing their favorite culinary pairing. The winning duo received immunity from elimination.
Elimination Challenge: The duos were asked to elevate one of their own family recipes. The winning duo received a trip to the Food & Wine test kitchen. Top Chef: California contestant Kwame Onwuachi and his mother Jewel Robinson served as guest judges.
| |||
| 2 | "Truffles, Caviar & Prawns -- Oh My!" | September 9, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos were tasked with putting their own spin on Eggs Benedict. However, before cooking, one member of each duo was required to present a perfectly poached egg to guest judge Nancy Silverton. Only the first six contestants to poach their eggs correctly were able to move onto the second part of the challenge. The winning duo received immunity from elimination.
Elimination Challenge: The duos created luxurious dishes highlighting at least one of the following high-end ingredients: Royal Ossetra caviar, Sicilian pistachios, Kobe beef, manuka honey, jamón ibérico, black truffles, heritage pork, sea urchin, Santa Barbara spot prawns, and 25-year aged balsamic vinegar. Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and chef Josiah Citrin served as guest judges.
| |||
| 3 | "No Pig Skins Allowed" | September 16, 2021 | |
|
Elimination Challenge: The duos competed in a tournament-style tailgate party, cooking plant-based foods for Los Angeles Rams linebacker Kenny Young, social media influencer and guest judge Tabitha Brown, the members of the Los Angeles Rams' 2021 draft class, and 50 other partygoers. The tournament consisted of three rounds. All eleven duos first cooked in the "wildcard round", creating appetizer platters. The top six duos from the wildcard round then competed in the "championship round", making burgers. The duo with the judges' favorite dish in the championship round was declared the winner. The winning duo received a trip and two tickets to a Sunday night football game of their choice. On the other hand, the bottom five duos from the wildcard round competed in the "Hail Mary round", preparing grilled plates. The duo with the judges' least favorite dish in the Hail Mary round was eliminated.
| |||
| 4 | "Chill Factor" | September 23, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos had to make either sweet or savory pies using commonly wasted foods, such as apples, carrots, and ground beef, for guest judge Sherry Yard. The pies were also required to incorporate Hellmann's mayonnaise. The winning duo received immunity from elimination and US$10,000.
Elimination Challenge: The duos created elevated frozen meals that could be reheated in a microwave. Top Chef Masters alumna Susan Feniger and Top Chef: New Orleans finalist/Top Chef: Charleston runner-up Shirley Chung served as guest judges.
| |||
| 5 | "Sink or Swim" | September 30, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos created original dishes that could go viral on social media, along with accompanying videos, for guest judge Jessica Woo. The winning duo received immunity from elimination.
Elimination Challenge: The duos, split into three teams, crafted menus highlighting sustainable seafood. Each team was required to serve three courses showcasing mollusks, crustaceans, and trash fish, respectively. Chef Michael Cimarusti and Top Chef: Colorado contestant Claudette Zepeda served as guest judges.
| |||
| 6 | "Look and Siwa I Did!" | October 7, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: For a State Farm-sponsored challenge, the duos were assigned pantries, decorated as houses, which each contained unique ingredients. If the contestants required more, they would have to "be good neighbors" and ask others to borrow their ingredients. The duos needed to make dishes that reflected their own neighborhoods, past or present. Top Chef: Texas contestant Nyesha Arrington served as a guest judge. The winning duo received immunity from elimination and US$10,000.
Elimination Challenge: The duos created desserts for a fire and ice-themed party. Pastry chef and chocolatier Chris Ford and dancer and singer JoJo Siwa served as guest judges.
| |||
| 7 | "Tag Team Turmoil" | October 14, 2021 | |
|
Elimination Challenge: The duos competed in a WWE-themed tournament. For the first "battle royale" round, the duos were split into four teams led by WWE wrestlers The Miz, Naomi, Maryse, and Drew McIntyre. Each team received a mystery ingredient from their assigned wrestler and needed to work together to create a single dish highlighting their ingredient. The team with the judges' favorite dish from the battle royale then competed in the "championship tag team match", where they faced off against each other to produce any dish of their choosing. The duos' cooking stations were set up in the middle of a wrestling ring. Only one member of each duo was allowed inside the ring at any given time, forcing their partner to stand outside the ropes and watch. They were also required to switch places by tagging each other out a minimum of three times. The winning duo received four tickets to WrestleMania. The team with the judges' least favorite dish from the battle royale competed in the "signature move elimination match", cooking their signature dishes with no restrictions. Top Chef: Miami finalist/Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. contestant Brian Malarkey and Top Chef: California runner-up Amar Santana served as guest judges.
| |||
| 8 | "Spine Tingling Treats" | October 21, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos created Halloween-themed amuse-bouches. Prior to cooking, the duos had to guess the identities of ten mystery ingredients, using only their sense of touch, by sticking their hands into several "graves". If guessed correctly, the contestants gained access to the ingredients. The final dish needed to incorporate at least two mystery ingredients. Top Chef Masters Season 4 winner Chris Cosentino served as a guest judge. The winning duo received immunity from elimination.
Elimination Challenge: The duos were tasked with catering a Halloween party. First, the duos picked costumes to wear while cooking. They then needed to conceptualize a dish that reflected their costume choice. Chris Cosentino and singer-songwriter Ester Dean served as guest judges. The winning duo received a trip for two to Universal Orlando.
| |||
| 9 | "Restaurant Wars: Top Chef Family Style" | October 28, 2021 | |
|
Elimination Challenge: The duos, separated into two teams, competed in Top Chef's traditional Restaurant Wars challenge. The teams were given two days to plan and execute their restaurant concepts. Their menus needed to include at least two appetizers, two entrées, and one dessert. The teams also had to designate an expeditor and front of house. The contestants worked with a designer to help decorate their restaurants. Top Chef: Kentucky winner Kelsey Barnard Clark and Top Chef: Seattle/Top Chef: Charleston finalist Sheldon Simeon served as guest judges. In a special announcement, Meghan Trainor revealed that the grand prize awarded to the winners of the season would be doubled from US$50,000 to $100,000.
| |||
| 10 | "This Is How We Roll" | November 4, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos made miniature sized dishes for Top Chef: Boston winner Mei Lin and former professional basketball player Baron Davis. The winning duo received an advantage in the Elimination Challenge. Beginning with this Quickfire Challenge, immunity from elimination was no longer available as a reward.
Elimination Challenge: The duos created sushi menus featuring three different techniques: maki, temaki, and nigiri. The menus were served omakase-style to the judges, including Top Chef: Portland runner-up Shota Nakajima. The duos had to prepare their sushi directly in front of the judges; their presentation and customer service factored into their overall score. As the winners of the Quickfire Challenge, Ocean & Jaydene received exclusive use of three ingredients: Royal Ossetra caviar, uni, and fresh wasabi. The winning duo received two sets of Cangshan knives.
| |||
| 11 | "Science Fair" | November 11, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos were required to use soft drinks in their dishes. The six available flavors were root beer, ginger ale, pepper soda, orange, cola, and lemon lime. Top Chef: Chicago runner-up/Top Chef: All-Stars winner Richard Blais served as a guest judge. The winning duo received an advantage in the Elimination Challenge.
Elimination Challenge: The duos were asked to create dishes for a culinary science fair that showcased at least two of the following molecular gastronomy techniques: gelification, spherification, siphon whipping, smoking, powderizing, deep freezing, sous vide cooking, and emulsification. As the winners of the Quickfire Challenge, Delilah & Danny were able to prohibit the other duos from using one technique of their choosing; they chose spherification. The dishes were served to 50 guests, including Richard Blais, author and molecular gastronomist Nathan Myhrvold, and Saved by the Bell cast members Elizabeth Berkley Lauren, John Michael Higgins, Josie Totah, Haskiri Velazquez, and Alycia Pascual-Peña. The winning duo received copies of Myhrvold's books Modernist Cuisine, Modernist Bread, and Modernist Pizza. | |||
| 12 | "Thanksgiving Family Style" | November 18, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: One member of each duo raced to complete three mise en place tasks: husk and remove the kernels from five corncobs, peel five sweet potatoes, and crack half a cup of pecans. Once the tasks were done, the other member was responsible for cooking a dish highlighting at least one of the three mise en place ingredients. The winning duo received a set of Smeg cookware and appliances.
Elimination Challenge: The duos worked as a team to create a Thanksgiving feast from scratch. Aside from the turkey, which was prepared by Marcus Samuelsson, each duo was responsible for at least two items on the menu. The dishes needed to reflect their family's heritage and holiday traditions. The duos' family members, Top Chef: Boston finalist/Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. winner Melissa King, and pastry chef Amirah Kassem joined the judges for dinner. | |||
| 13 | "The Hall of Fame" | November 25, 2021 | |
|
Quickfire Challenge: The duos were tasked with recreating one dish of their choosing from the "Top Chef Quickfire Hall of Fame", a list of winning Quickfire Challenge dishes from past seasons of the show. They were not provided a recipe; instead, the duos were given tablets allowing them to videocall the Top Chef alumnus who originally created their chosen dish. The duos were only allowed to speak with the alumni for the first ten minutes of the challenge. Top Chef: Seattle runner-up/Top Chef: Charleston winner Brooke Williamson served as a guest judge. The winning duo received an advantage in the Elimination Challenge.
Elimination Challenge: The duos were presented with three boxes containing ingredients inspired by celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse (Creole/Cajun cuisine), Wolfgang Puck (French/California cuisine), and Lidia Bastianich (Italian-American cuisine). After choosing one box, each duo had to create a dish paying tribute to their assigned celebrity chef. As the winners of the Quickfire Challenge, Ocean & Jaydene were able to choose their box first. Top Chef: Boston runner-up/Top Chef: All-Stars L.A. finalist Gregory Gourdet and chefs Dominique Crenn and Tim Hollingsworth served as guest judges. | |||
| 14 | "Finale" | December 2, 2021 | |
|
Elimination Challenge: The final two duos created three-course progressive meals highlighting their journeys through Top Chef Family Style. Eliminated competitors Ocean & Jaydene and Kennedy & Rosie were brought back to provide assistance as sous chefs. Delilah & Danny were assisted by Ocean & Jaydene, and Anika & Anu were assisted by Kennedy & Rosie. Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio, Top Chef: Chicago winner Stephanie Izard, Top Chef: New Orleans runner-up Nina Compton, Top Chef Masters alumna Susan Feniger, and chef Michael Cimarusti joined the finale meal as guest judges.
| |||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Shanfeld, Ethan (May 13, 2021). "Peacock Orders 'Top Chef,' 'Below Deck' Spinoffs". Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 19, 2021). "Culinary Prodigies Raise the Stakes on Top Chef Family Style: Get Your First Look". Bravo. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (August 19, 2021). "Peacock Sets Premiere Dates For 'American Ninja Warrior Junior' Season 3, New 'Frogger' & 'Top Chef Family Style' – Watch The Trailers". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Valdespino, Anne (December 4, 2021). "Southern California cooks win the first season of 'Top Chef Family'". Orange County Register.
- ^ "THE 2022 JAMES BEARD MEDIA AWARD WINNERS". James Beard Foundation. June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Campbell-Schmitt, Adam (September 8, 2021). "Meet the Young Chefs (and Grown-Ups) Competing on the First Season of 'Top Chef Family Style'". Food & Wine. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
External links
[edit]Top Chef Family Style
View on GrokipediaOverview and Production
Concept and Development
Top Chef Family Style was announced on May 13, 2021, by Peacock as a limited series spin-off from the Bravo culinary competition franchise.[8] The concept centers on 13 exceptionally talented young chefs, aged 9 to 15, each paired with an adult family member or mentor to form duos that compete in culinary challenges.[3][9] These teams vie for a grand prize of $100,000, along with culinary recognition and the title of Top Chef Family Style.[8][1][6] Unlike the main Top Chef series, which debuted on Bravo in 2006 and focuses on individual professional chefs competing solo, Top Chef Family Style emphasizes collaboration, family bonds, and mentorship in the kitchen.[10] The development aimed to showcase emerging young talent while introducing a fresh, team-based dynamic to the franchise, broadening its appeal to families and younger viewers through relatable intergenerational teamwork.[11] This approach highlights how culinary skills can be nurtured across generations, differentiating it from the high-pressure, solo format of the original series.[5] The series premiered on Peacock on September 9, 2021, and ran for 14 episodes, concluding with the finale on December 2, 2021.[4][12] Throughout its run, the show maintained the high culinary standards of the Top Chef brand while infusing elements of fun and accessibility suited to its youthful participants.[1]Filming and Production
Top Chef Family Style was primarily filmed in Burbank, California, during the summer of 2021.[13] The production utilized high-end kitchen sets designed to replicate professional culinary environments, emphasizing the show's focus on team-based challenges and integrating guest judges seamlessly into the competition format.[14] As a limited series consisting of 14 episodes, it maintained the polished aesthetic typical of the Top Chef franchise while adapting to a family-oriented structure.[15] The series was produced by Magical Elves Productions in association with Bravo and Universal Television Alternative Studio.[14][15] Key executive producers included Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz from Magical Elves, who oversaw the logistical execution of the spin-off's innovative duo competitions.[16] The production adhered to stringent COVID-19 protocols, including mandatory five-day quarantines for contestants upon arrival and regular testing to ensure safety amid ongoing pandemic restrictions.[13] These measures contributed to a controlled filming environment with limited crew interactions, helping to mitigate health risks during the extended shoots that could last up to 14 weeks.[13] Exclusive to the Peacock streaming platform, the series premiered in September 2021 and featured marketing tie-ins to the broader Top Chef brand, including encores on Bravo to cross-promote the franchise.[1][17] This approach leveraged Bravo's established audience while introducing the family-style format to Peacock's subscribers.Format and Rules
Competition Structure
Top Chef Family Style employs a duo-based competition format in which 13 duos, each comprising a young chef and an adult family member or mentor, collaborate on all challenges to demonstrate culinary skills and familial teamwork.[3] This structure emphasizes partnership, with both members contributing to planning, preparation, and execution, adapting the individual-focused Top Chef model to highlight relational dynamics in a high-pressure kitchen environment.[1] The host, Meghan Trainor, briefly announces each challenge to set the parameters for the duos.[1] The challenges are divided into Quickfire rounds, which test speed and innovation under time constraints, and Elimination Challenges, which require more elaborate creations often centered on family-style serving or thematic concepts such as elevating personal recipes, sustainable cooking, or event-specific menus like tailgates and holidays.[18] Examples include transforming family heirloom dishes into upscale presentations or participating in team-based formats like Restaurant Wars, where duos divide into groups to operate competing pop-up restaurants.[19] These tasks prioritize collective effort, with duos sharing responsibilities to incorporate mystery elements, relays, or multi-component dishes that reflect both technical proficiency and harmonious collaboration.[18] Judging occurs through blind tastings and deliberations by a panel including head judge Marcus Samuelsson, guest chefs, celebrities, and Top Chef alumni, who assess entries on criteria such as creativity in concept development, precision in technique, balance of flavors, visual presentation, and the demonstrated synergy in duo teamwork.[4] Scores are holistic, weighing how well the pair's combined strengths produce cohesive, innovative results that exceed expectations for the challenge theme.[9] The elimination process targets the lowest-performing duos from the Elimination Challenge, where judges deliberate to select one team for removal based on overall weaknesses in execution or concept; Quickfire wins typically offer small advantages but no full immunity in most episodes.[18] This continues weekly, narrowing the field progressively without returns or sudden-death twists unique to the format.[5] Winning duos receive a grand prize of $50,000 provided by Capital One, alongside opportunities for culinary exposure, while weekly incentives include $10,000 cash awards from sponsors like Hellmann’s, trips to events such as WrestleMania or Universal Orlando Resort, and perks like NFL game tickets or visits to professional test kitchens.[1] The single season spans 14 episodes, building to a finale where the remaining top duos craft multi-course, family-inspired meals for final judging and crowning of the champions.[18]Hosts, Judges, and Guests
Meghan Trainor served as the host of Top Chef Family Style, bringing her energetic personality to narrate challenges and interact with the competing duos throughout the season.[1] A Grammy Award-winning artist known for her vibrant stage presence, Trainor guided the young chefs and their family partners, emphasizing teamwork and fun in the high-pressure kitchen environment.[1] Her role extended beyond introductions, as she often participated in tastings and provided encouragement during eliminations, helping to maintain an accessible tone for the family-oriented competition.[6] Marcus Samuelsson acted as the head judge, leading the panel with his expertise in global flavors and innovative cuisine.[1] A James Beard Award winner, restaurateur, and Top Chef Masters alum, Samuelsson focused his critiques on technique, creativity, and the collaborative efforts of each duo, often highlighting how family dynamics influenced dish presentations.[1] His leadership ensured a balanced evaluation process, drawing from his background in multicultural cooking to assess the young contestants' potential.[5] The judging panel featured a rotating roster of guest judges, including prominent figures from the culinary world who brought diverse perspectives to the tastings. Notable appearances included Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Colicchio, who offered insights on precision and flavor balance during key challenges.[1] Other guests encompassed Top Chef alums such as Kwame Onwuachi, known for his Afro-Caribbean influences; Shirley Chung, celebrated for her modern Chinese techniques; and Kelsey Barnard Clark, a season 16 winner who evaluated Southern-inspired dishes.[1] Representatives from entertainment and sports, like actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and NFL player Kenny Young, also joined for themed episodes, adding celebrity flair while focusing on accessibility and innovation.[2] The judging dynamic emphasized family-style presentations, where duos cooked and defended their dishes jointly, without designating a single "head chef" for critiques.[5] This approach fostered evaluations of partnership and shared creativity, with the panel praising or critiquing based on collective execution rather than individual roles, aligning with the show's theme of intergenerational teamwork.[1] Guest judges like Josiah Citrin, a Michelin-starred chef, contributed specialized feedback on luxury elements during high-stakes challenges, enhancing the panel's depth without overshadowing the core focus on youthful talent.[1]Contestants and Teams
Duo Profiles
The 13 competing duos in Top Chef Family Style featured young chefs aged 9 to 15, typically culinary students or early-career professionals, paired with family members serving as mentors, supporters, or co-cooks, emphasizing teamwork in high-pressure challenges. These pairs represented diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Indian, Mexican, Hawaiian, and African American heritage, and hailed from regions spanning the U.S. coasts, Midwest, Southwest, and even Alaska and Hawaii, highlighting varied family dynamics such as parent-child bonds, sibling partnerships, aunt-nephew relations, and intergenerational connections like grandmother-granddaughter teams.[20]- Jack Cruickshank and Bobbie Lopez (mother-son duo from Phoenix, Arizona): Jack, a self-taught young chef who began cooking at age 5 using YouTube tutorials and family guidance, specializes in Mediterranean and Italian cuisines and holds a patent as an inventor; Bobbie supports his passion without a specified culinary profession.[20]
- Kaj Friis-Hecht and Liz Thorpe (aunt-nephew duo from New Orleans, Louisiana): Kaj, a line chef and winner of Chopped Junior in 2017, was mentored by a professional chef and has cooked for the New Orleans mayor; Liz, his aunt, is a renowned cheese expert and consultant in the industry.[20]
- Khalil Blue and Willie Blue (father-son duo from Houston, Texas): Khalil, a self-taught young chef influenced by YouTube and cookbooks, brings creative flair to the kitchen; Willie, his father, contributes expertise in traditional Texas barbecue and Southern cooking techniques.[20]
- Milan Bhayana and Chandrani Ghosh (mother-son duo from Chevy Chase, Maryland): At 15 years old, Milan is a semi-professional Magic: The Gathering player and popular TikTok chef with over 7 million likes on his videos; Chandrani, a novelist, draws from her knowledge of Indian and Italian cuisines, which also inspired elements in her writing.[20]
- Ocean Kanekoa and Jaydene Kanekoa (brother-sister duo from Kamuela, Hawaii): Ocean, a young chef from a family of culinary professionals, won the 2019 Keiki in the Kitchen competition; Jaydene works as a group sales executive and provides familial support in the kitchen.[20]
- Taylor Ellison and Elizabeth Frame Ellison (mother-son duo from San Francisco, California): Taylor, an aspiring young chef, honed his skills through cooking classes in France and Italy; Elizabeth founded the nonprofit Kitchen 66, which aids culinary entrepreneurs.[20]
- Ainsley Crouse and Hayley Crouse (mother-daughter duo from Douglassville, Pennsylvania): Ainsley, a young chef inspired by her mother and figures like Martha Stewart, aspires to launch a food truck called Ace’s Place; Hayley shares a close cooking bond with her daughter.[20]
- Anika Kumar and Anupama Kumar (mother-daughter duo from Palo Alto, California): Anika, a contestant on MasterChef Junior Season 8, earned the Best Cooking Skills award for her precise techniques; Anupama excels in preparing Indian, Asian, and Mexican dishes.[20]
- Brooke Nathanson and Carol Weiss (grandmother-granddaughter duo from Ashland, Massachusetts): At 13 years old, Brooke owns a small cake business and began baking at age 5 alongside her grandmother, later taking classes with Martha Stewart; Carol, a retired travel consultant, has been a key influence in her early culinary training.[20]
- Delilah Flores and Daniel "Danny" Flores (uncle-niece duo from Ontario, California): Delilah, a passionate young chef, focuses on Mexican cuisine; Daniel, a prep cook, has mentored her from the beginning of her cooking journey.[20][6]
- Eva Kopelman and Jenn Kopelman (mother-daughter duo from Long Island, New York): Eva, a self-taught young chef and social media influencer, started cooking to support her family after her father's stroke; Jenn contributes her love for Italian cooking to their partnership.[20]
- Kennedy Torres and Rosie Torres (mother-daughter duo from Palmer, Alaska): Kennedy, the winner of Chopped Junior Season 6, incorporates her interests in fishing and moose hunting into her outdoor-inspired dishes; Rosie emphasizes family-style cooking traditions.[20]
- Kiran Alwy and Moid Alwy (father-daughter duo from St. Louis Park, Minnesota): Kiran, a young chef and contestant on Chopped Junior in 2019, applies a mathematical and scientific approach to her recipes; Moid, her father, enjoys experiences with high-end dining.[20]
Casting Process
The casting process for Top Chef Family Style began with an open call announced in February 2021 via social media platforms like Facebook, specifically targeting young aspiring chefs aged 9 to 15 who demonstrated a passion for cooking.[13][21] Interested applicants, primarily the young chefs, were required to submit an initial application including written responses to questions about their culinary influences—such as their signature dish and primary mentor—along with photographs of dishes they had prepared.[13] Subsequent rounds of the process involved more in-depth evaluations to assess both individual talent and duo compatibility. Selected applicants advanced to submit additional materials, including more food photographs, a video demonstration of their cooking skills, and an introductory video highlighting their personality and interests.[13] This was followed by virtual interviews via Zoom with production staff, and for finalists, in-person sessions that included on-camera cooking challenges, such as preparing simple dishes like pancakes and zucchini, to evaluate technical ability and composure under pressure.[13] The selection emphasized the young chefs' potential and enthusiasm over professional experience, with family members chosen as supportive plus-ones to form duos, focusing on their ability to collaborate effectively during challenges.[7] From these applications, 13 duos were ultimately selected to compete, representing a mix of culinary prodigies and their adult relatives from across the United States.[7][9] Casting faced logistical hurdles, including tight submission deadlines and the need to accommodate a five-day COVID-19 quarantine period prior to filming, which required careful coordination of family schedules around the production timeline in early 2021.[13]Competition and Results
Elimination Progress
The elimination progress in Top Chef Family Style unfolded over 14 episodes, beginning with 13 duos and concluding with the crowning of winners after a series of Quickfire and elimination challenges that tested family teamwork and culinary skills.[12] Eliminations typically occurred in each episode following the main challenge, with top placements earning immunity or advantages, while bottom performers faced scrutiny from judges Marcus Samuelsson, Angie Mar, and rotating guests. One duo withdrew in episode 3 due to heat exhaustion, reducing the field to 10 competitors. Key milestones included non-elimination episodes in 5 and 12, and the prize doubling to $100,000 in episode 9, heightening stakes for the top 4 duos advancing to the finale.[3][22] The season's win distribution favored consistent performers, with Delilah & Danny securing 4 elimination challenge wins, contributing to their strong performance. Family dynamics often influenced outcomes, as duos leveraging shared recipes and support advanced further, exemplified by various family teams dominating the top placements. Overall, 11 eliminations occurred across the challenges, with the top 3 duos—Delilah & Danny, Anika & Anu, and Ocean & Jaydene—showcasing the strongest progression through high placements in most episodes.[6]| Elimination Order | Duo | Episode Eliminated | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th | Ainsley & Hayley | 1 | First out after family recipe challenge; daughter-mother from Pennsylvania.[23] |
| 12th | Taylor & Elizabeth | 2 | Eliminated in luxury ingredients challenge; son-mother from California. |
| 11th (withdrew) | Brooke & Carol | 3 | Withdrew due to heat exhaustion; granddaughter-grandmother from Massachusetts.[22] |
| 10th | Kiran & Moid | 4 | Daughter-father from Minnesota; out in elevated frozen meals challenge. |
| 9th | Milan & Chandrani | 6 | Son-mother from Maryland; eliminated in fire and ice desserts challenge. |
| 8th | Jack & Bobbie | 7 | Son-mother from Arizona; bottom in WWE-themed tournament challenge. |
| 7th | Kaj & Liz | 8 | Nephew-aunt from Louisiana; out after Halloween party dishes challenge. |
| 6th | Eva & Jenn | 9 | Daughter-mother from New York; eliminated in Restaurant Wars. |
| 5th | Khalil & Willie | 10 | Son-father from Texas; low in sushi challenge. |
| 4th | Kennedy & Rosie | 11 | Daughter-mother from Alaska; out in molecular gastronomy challenge. |
| 3rd | Ocean & Jaydene | 13 | Brother-sister from Hawaii; eliminated in hall of fame tribute challenge. |
| Runners-up | Anika & Anu | 14 | Daughter-mother from California; silver after three-course finale.[24] |
| Winners | Delilah & Danny | 14 | Niece-uncle from California; $100,000 victors with seafood boil finale dish.[6] |