Jae Jung

Fifteen of the country’s best chefs arrive in Houston, Texas, ready to fight for the title of “Top Chef.” The opening Quickfire proves to be the toughest first challenge to date when the chefs must team up to create a cohesive dish that showcases each of their styles.

The chefs are challenged in the Quickfire to put their own spin on the Tex-Mex classic queso.

The chefs are joined by local chef Chris Williams in the Quickfire Challenge. He tasks the chefs to put their own twist on a biscuit dish in honor of his great grandmother, Lucille B. Smith.

For their first individual challenge of the season, the chefs are surprised in the kitchen by Top Chef Miami winner, Hung Huynh, and challenged to make a dish inspired by 5 of the larger Asian communities in Houston.

The chefs meet Brooke Williamson at Houston’s J-Bar-M where she tasks them with putting their own spin on a brisket dish for some of the best BBQ pitmasters in Houston.

Working in pairs, the chefs must create salty-sweet desserts that will inspire a new flavor of Talenti gelato.