Episode 2: The Heat is On

Eleven chefs have excelled and moved on to the competition. Now the remaining chefs must rise to the challenge to earn a slot in the final 16. In the final heat, the final 10 chefs must decide amongst themselves which one of among 10 ingredients they will use to create a dish. Those who advance will earn a Top Chef coat, those who don’t will go home, and those who are on the bubble will compete in a final cook-off. In a new twist this season, eliminated chefs will have an opportunity to re-enter the competition by winning a series of challenges against their fellow eliminated chefs in a separate competition called Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen. Host Padma Lakshmi, along with Hugh Acheson, Emeril Lagasse, and head judge Tom Colicchio will determine which chefs will advance to the competition.