"Top Chef: All Stars" Season 8 Recaps and Chef List

In season 8, "Top Chef" has decided to give some of the previous contestants a second chance. Premiering December 1, 2010, 18 past "Top Chef" contestants have been at it again. Since March 2006, 109 chefs have been contestants on Bravo's "Top Chef" Host Padma Lakshmi returns along with Judges Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio. A new addition to the judges table is season 8 is Anthony Bourdain.

"Top Chef: All Stars" (Season 8) Contestants and where they finished in their original season.

From Season 1:

Tiffani Faison - Runner-up

Steven Asprinio - 5^th

From Season 2:

Elia Aboumrad - 4^th

Marcel Vigneron - Runner-up

From Season 3:

Tre Wilcox - 8^th

Casey Thompson - Runner-up

Dale Levitski - Runner-up

From Season 4:

Spike Mendelsohn - 5^th

Richard Blais - Runner-up

Antonia Lofaso - 4^th

Dale Talde - 6^th

From Season 5:

Carla Hall - Runner-up

Jamie Lauren - 7^th

Fabio Viviani - 4^th

From Season 6:

Jennifer Carroll - 4^th

Mike Isabella - 7^th

From Season 7:

Tiffany Derry - 5th

Angelo Sosa - Runner-up

"Top Chef: All Stars" Episode 1: History Never Repeats

For this quick fire challenge the chefs were teamed up with the chefs the competed against in their original season. Their goal was to create a dish that represents the city where their season took place. The winner was Season 4 which took place in Chicago. For the elimination challenge the chefs had to recreate the dish that sent them home in their original season. The winner was Angelo Sosa from Season 7. Elia Aboumrad from Season 2 was eliminated.

"Top Chef: All Stars" Episode 2: Night at the Museum

For this quick fire challenge, the chefs had to prepare a midnight snack for children but it had to be served in a paper bag and had to be able to be eaten without utensils. Guest Judge Joe Jonas couldn't pick just one winner so for this quick fire challenge there were two: Spike Mendelsohn and Tiffani Faison. The elimination challenge split the chefs into two teams. Each had to create a breakfast based on a dinosaurs' diet. Jennifer Carroll was eliminated.

"Top Chef: All Stars" Episode 3: New York's Finest

Split into four teams during this quick fire challenge, the teams must first butcher lamp ribs, clean artichokes, and chop garlic. They then have 15 minutes to prepare a dish with those ingredients. The winner was team blue with Richard Blais, Spike Mendelsohn, Stephen Asprinio, and Tre Wilcox. The elimination challenge had higher stakes this time, two chefs would be eliminated. Each of the teams from the quick fire challenge were sent to a notable New York City restaurant. They were competing against each as well as the other teams. The winner was Dale Talde. The chefs eliminated were Dale Levitski and Stephen Asprinio.

"Top Chef: All Stars" Episode 4: Advantage Chef

For this quick fire challenge all of the cutlery and utensils have been taken out of the kitchen and the chefs must create a stuffing dish using Swanson broth. The Winner is Tre Wilcox. The chefs are in two groups for the elimination challenge. They are then judged against the other teams in pairs. The loser of the pairing is up for elimination. Spike Mendelsohn is eliminated.