01The take
New Orleans.
The city carried the season. Creole and Cajun traditions, gulf seafood, brunch culture and the long shadow of New Orleans restaurants framed the challenges from the first cook. The cast skewed warm without losing competitive edge, the kitchen tension stayed about the food, and Emeril Lagasse joined Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons at the judge's table. Padma Lakshmi hosted a season that let its setting do real work.
03Where it sits in the canon
The #03 slot.
Slot #03 of 3 in the Top Chef Editor's Canon. The neighbors below frame what we ranked above and below it.
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06Also appears in
Cross-references.
Also appears in