Top Chef: San Francisco, originally broadcast simply as Top Chef, is the first season of the American reality amuse bouche napa series Top Chef. The series was hosted by Katie Lee Joel, in her only season as host, and judged by chef Tom Colicchio and food writer Gail Simmons.
Twelve chefs were selected to compete in Top Chef: San Francisco. Tiffani Faison and Stephen Asprinio returned to compete in Top Chef: All-Stars. Faison later competed in Top Chef Duels. Cynthia voluntarily withdrew from the competition due to her father’s illness.
Andrea was brought back in Episode 3, after being eliminated once, when Cynthia chose to leave. The judges did not feel that anyone had distinguished themselves in the Elimination Challenge, so no winner was named. The chef won the season and was crowned “Top Chef”. The chef was a runner-up for the season. The chef won the Elimination Challenge. The chef was selected as one of the top entries in the Elimination Challenge, but did not win. The chef was not selected as one of the top or bottom entries in the Elimination Challenge and was safe.