Top Chef Masters | |
---|---|
Season 5 | |
No. of contestants | 13 |
Winner | Douglas Keane |
Release | |
Original network | Bravo |
Original release | July 24 September 25, 2013 | –
Season chronology |
The fifth season of Top Chef Masters was announced on May 16, 2013.[1] Gail Simmons appeared as the new head critic for the competition.[1] In addition, Lesley Suter, the food and dining editor for Los Angeles Magazine, joined the judging panel alongside James Oseland, Ruth Reichl, and Francis Lam.[2] The season premiered on July 24, 2013, with 13 award-winning chefs competing in weekly challenges to win the grand prize of $100,000 (USD) for their charity and the title of "Top Chef Master".[3]
Each Top Chef Masters contestant had their sous-chef compete in a series of separate challenges called the "Battle of the Sous Chefs".[4] Hosted by regular Top Chef judge Hugh Acheson, the results of each webisode directly impacted the competitors of the main competition.[4] The winner of each round rewarded their respective head chef with immunity from elimination, while the sous-chefs with the lowest performances earned them a disadvantage, such as less time to prep or shop for ingredients.[4]