Top Chef (Season 1)

Top Chef: San Francisco is the first season of the American reality television series Top Chef. It was first filmed in San Francisco, California, before concluding in Las Vegas, Nevada. The season premiered on March 8, 2006 and ended on May 24, 2006. Twelve chefs from around the United States lived together in a house for approximately 21 days competing in a series of culinary challenges. The prizes for the winner of the competition included a feature in Food & Wine Magazine, a showcase at the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado, a Kenmore Elite kitchen set, and US$100,000. The series was hosted by Katie Lee Joel in her only season as a host and judged by chef Tom Colicchio and food writer Gail Simmons.

Contestants
12 chefs were selected to compete in Top Chef: San Francisco.