E1 - Melting Pot

Aired: November 12, 2008

One chef is eliminated in a three-round quickfire involving apples. The remaining chefs create dishes representing the ethnic cuisines of several New York neighborhoods.

E2 - Show Your Craft

Aired: November 19, 2008

After re-inventing the hot dog for the quickfire challenge, the chefs cook and serve lunch at Tom's flagship restaurant, Craft.

E3 - Foo Fighters Thanksgiving

Aired: November 26, 2008

For the quickfire, the chefs recreate dishes from the Top Chef cookbook. In the elimination challenge, they cook Thanksgiving dinner for the Foo Fighters at the band's tour stop in Syracuse, N.Y.

E4 - Today Show

Aired: December 03, 2008

After creating a breakfast amuse-bouche for the quickfire, the contestants compete in a live food demonstration challenge in order to earn a booking on "Today."

E5 - Gail's Bridal Shower

Aired: December 10, 2008

For the quickfire, chefs must identify ingredients in a dish. For the elimination challenge, the contestants cater a bridal shower for judge Gail Simmons.

E6 - 12 Days of Christmas

Aired: December 17, 2008

Domestic guru Martha Stewart oversees the quick fire challenge in this holiday-themed edition. Then, actress Natasha Richardson is the guest judge when the cooks cater a Christmas cocktail party in which the proceeds go to the AIDS research.

E7 - Focus Group

Aired: January 07, 2009

The chefs must create a sweet dish without using sugar (guest judge: chef and restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli). In the elimination challenge, chefs prepare a family-style meal for blind judging.

E8 - Down on the Farm

Aired: January 14, 2009

Contestants shop for fresh ingredients at a farm and then create a dinner for the farm workers.

E9 - Restaurant Wars

Aired: January 21, 2009

Two teams have 24 hours to design and open competing restaurants.

E10 - Super Bowl Chef Showdown

Aired: January 28, 2009

A Super Bowl cook-off against seven all-stars from previous seasons.

E11 - Le Bernardin

Aired: February 04, 2009

After a three-round fish filleting tournament, the contestants cook at Le Bernadin where their final product will be judged by chef Eric Ripert.

E12 - The Last Supper

Aired: February 11, 2009

Wylie Dufresne judges a quickfire challenge of egg dishes. For the elimination challenge, the five remaining chefs each cook a "last supper" dish requested by a culinary superstar.

E13 - Finale, Part 1

Aired: February 18, 2009

The season finale finds the chefs traveling from New York to New Orleans. While in the "Big Easy" they will be challenged to kick it up a notch when celebrity judge/chef Emeril Lagasse stops by to appraise their culinary skills.

E14 - Finale, Part 2

Aired: February 25, 2009

Set in New Orleans, season 5 ends as the winning chef is revealed.

E15 - Watch What Happens Reunion

Aired: March 04, 2009

Andy Cohen hosts a candid gathering of season five's chefs and judges.