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The Daily Dish Top Chef

Who Won Top Chef Season 21? (SPOILERS)

Find out who won the Wisconsin season, and relive who had to pack their knives and go home every week prior.

By Carl Haynes

In each episode of Season 21 of Top Chef in Wisconsinsomeone was asked to "Please pack your knives and go."

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Watch Top Chef on Bravo and next day on Peacock.

Those cheftestants were: Alisha ElenzAmanda TurnerCharly PierreDan JacobsDanny GarciaDavid MurphyKaleena BlissKenny NguyenKévin D'AndreaLaura OzyilmazManny BarellaMichelle WallaceRasika VenkatesaSavannah MillerValentine Howell Jr., and Soo Ahn.

RELATED: Who Won Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen in Season 21?

Below, find out who won and relived which cheftestants were eliminated week by week, after facing off before new host Kristen Kish (who won Season 10), Tom Colicchio, and Gail Simmons.

Who won Top Chef in Season 21?

Chef Danny Garcia won Top Chef in Season 21 — and $250,000.

He explained his plans for his prize money to Variety.

"My wife and I are looking to buy our first home," he said. "This is something I consistently said on the season, and that we’re still looking at doing: setting ourselves up for our future and finding our first home and establishing this next part of our journey."

The actual timing of his winning episode, however, was bittersweet: Jamal "James" Kent, the managing partner of Saga Hospitality Group — where Chef Danny currently works and in whose upcoming restaurant, Time and Tide, he will be the executive chef — passed away unexpectedly over the weekend, Grub Street reported.

"With the passing of Jamal, we are taking a brief pause to collect ourselves and grieve properly, and just be here for each other," he told Variety. "But we are going to continue his legacy. We’re going to continue building what we were building. We’re going to take Saga Hospitality to all the places that he wanted to take it, and beyond.

Danny Garcia wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Below, look back at who won every challenge over the course of Season 21, and who was eliminated each week.

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 1?

Manny Barella won the Elimination Challenge based on his green pozole with chicken and charred salsa verde. He has immunity from elimination in Episode 2.

The runners-up were Michelle Wallace and Danny Garcia.

There was no Quickfire Challenge in Episode 1.

Top Chef episode 1 winning dish Chicken Pozole made by Manny Barella

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 1?

Chef David Murphy was eliminated in the first episode.

He ended up in the bottom three of the Elimination Challenge based on his mushroom-stuffed gnocchi with speck and chicken liver gravy, mascarpone, and Calabrian chili. He then lost the final challenge based on his poached shrimp with sungold tomatoes, coconut cilantro broth, and green curry sauce.

The two other chefs in the bottom were Kenny Nguyen and Amanda Turner.

David Murphy wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 2?

Chef Laura Ozyilmaz’s hop-infused rice pudding with berries stole the Quickfire challenge win and made her $5,000 dollars richer. 

The runner-ups were Michelle Wallace and Kévin D’Andrea.

The judge’s least favorite dishes from the challenge belonged to Kenny Nguyen, Danny Garcia, and Valentine Howell Jr.

Laura Ozyilmaz's Quickfire Dish of rice pudding

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 2?

Chef Rasika Venkatesa’s pretzel barley cake and pretzel granita with honey mustard sabayon blew the judges away, winning her the Elimination Challenge. She received a $10,000 prize and immunity in Episode 3.

The runners-up were Manny Barella and Kenny Nguyen.

Rasika Venkatesa Top Chef Dish of granita and pretzels

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 2?

Chef Valentine Howell Jr. was asked to pack his knives and go in Episode Two.

He ended up in the bottom three of the Elimination Challenge based on his beer and corn soup with pickled fresno peppers and toasted corn kernels. The judges noted that his soup’s consistency was closer to a sauce than a soup, which resulted in his elimination.  

Valentine went on to battle it out against the surprise 16th Cheftestant, Chef Soo Aan, in Last Chance Kitchen Episode 1.

RELATED: Who Won Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen Last Night?

The two other chefs in the bottom were Charly Pierre and Kévin D’Andrea. 

Valentine Howell wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 3?

Chef Rasika Venkatesa's tart cherry cippolini onions, charred pepper relish and berbere spice won her this week's Quickfire Challenge, adding an additional $5,000 dollars to her bank account. 

The runner-ups were Savannah Miller and Kévin D’Andrea.

The judge's least favorite dishes from the challenge belonged to Charly Pierre, Kenny Nguyen, and Alisha Elenz. 

Rasika Venkatesa's quick fire winning dish of Tart cherry cippolini onions, charred pepper relish & berbere spice

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 3?

Chef Michelle Wallace won the episode with her Pleasant Ridge Reserve saag paneer with collard greens and curry potato fritter. This win grants her immunity in Episode 4.  

The runner-ups were Kaleena Bliss and Dan Jacobs.

Michelle Wallace elimination winning dish of Pleasant Ridge Reserve saag paneer with collard greens & curry potato fritter

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 3?

Chef Kenny Nguyen was eliminated in the third episode. He was in the bottom three based on his gorgonzola crab Rangoon salad with Luxardo cherry relish and rice paper. The judges noted that his dish was too watery and didn't highlight the cheese enough.

The two other chefs in the bottom three were Kévin D’Andrea and Manny Barella. 

Kenny Nguyen wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 4?

Chefs  Danny Garcia and Chef Rasika Venkatesa both won the Elimination Challenge this week.

Chef Danny's winning dish was a scallop mousse, zucchini, and green chartreuse. Chef Rasika's winning dish was a daal quenelle, pickled beets, carrot puree, and rasam.

They won $10,000 dollars to split, but the judges decided that Rasika’s dish was their favorite, earning her immunity in Episode 5. 

There was no Quickfire Challenge in Episode 4.

Rasika Venkatesa winning Top Chef dish of Daal quenelle, pickled beets, carrot puree & rasam

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 4?

Chefs Alisha Elenz and Kaleena Bliss — who competed as a team in a challenge based on the duality of architect Frank Lloyd Wright — were both eliminated this week. 

This decision was based on Alisha’s aguachile with shrimp, cucumber, and lime, and Kaleena’s goat cheese cheesecake, sesame tuile, candied mushrooms, and spruce syrup. 

Kaleena Bliss and Alisha Elenz entering Last Chance Kitchen ready to compete a challenge.

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 5?

Chef Charly Pierre's fingerling potato with honey and tomato chèvre with roasted pepper creole sauce won him the Quickfire Challenge and made him $7,500 dollars richer. 

The runner-up was Laura Ozyilmaz.

The judges' least favorite dishes came from Michelle Wallace, Amanda Turner, and Kévin D’Andrea. 

Charly Pierres quickfire dish for the Top Chef quickfire challenge.

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 5?

Chef Dan Jacob's raw vegetables in "soil", steak tartare with chicken liver mousse, pickled shallots, and fried seed toast was the judges' favorite, earning him immunity in Episode 6. 

Michelle Wallace and Savannah Miller were the runner-ups.

Dan Jacobs' winning Elimination Challenge dish

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 5?

Chef Charly Pierre packed his knives in the Supper Club Menu challenge based on his epis-rubbed fried trout, coconut epis sauce, and preserved lemon pikliz.

Tom critiqued his fish for being "really overcooked."

Charly Pierre wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 6?

Chef Michelle Wallace's corn cake with mascarpone cheese, basil cream, and lemon zest satisfied the judges' taste for sweetness and left her $7,500 richer. 

The runner-ups were Chefs Kaleena Bliss and Amanda Turner.

The judges' least favorite dishes came from Chefs Manny Barella, Danny Garcia, and Dan Jacobs.

Michelle Wallace corn cake with mascarpone cheese, cream & lemon zest.

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 6?

Chef Danny Garcia's chou farci with yuzu kosho foam stole the show, winning him this week's Elimination Challenge as well as immunity in Episode 7. 

Chefs Soo Aan, Dan Jacobs, and Savannah Miller were the runner-ups.

Danny Garcia's Scallop chou farci with yuzu kosho foam.

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 6?

Chef Rasika Venkatesa was asked to pack her knives based on her crab and eggplant with mushroom conserva, dukkah, and garlic tahini. The judges critiqued the dish for lacking flavor.

The cheftestants had been tasked with creating a dish that exemplified Chaos Cuisine. 

Chef Michelle Wallace was also in the bottom.

Rasika Venkatesa wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 7?

Chef Danny Garcia's two dishes — grilled prawns with satsuma, habanero sauce, and flambé mezcal as well as his charred grilled branzino with charred poblano purée and avocado — earned him the Quickfire challenge win as well as $20,000 dollars. 

Kévin D’Andrea and Amanda Turner were the runner-ups. 

Charred grilled branzino with charred poblano purée, and avocado

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 7?

Chef Michelle Wallace's Polish sausage étouffée with creamy grits reigned supreme in the Battle of The Sausage, earning her the top spot this week. Despite winning this week's Elimination Challenge, Michelle will not be granted immunity for Episode 8 because immunity is officially off the table for the rest of the season. 

Kaleena Bliss and Amanda Turner were the runner-ups.

Michelle Wallace's Polish sausage étouffée with creamy grits for Top Chef

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 7?

Chef Kévin D’Andrea was asked to pack his knives over his Italian sausage risotto with roasted parmesan emulsion and fennel.  The judges praised Kévin for having one of the better risotto dishes in 20 seasons of Top Chef, but felt there was just too much cheese.

Chefs Dan Jacobs and Savannah Miller were also in the bottom.

Kevin Dandrea wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 8?

Chef Dan Jacobs' dishes led him to the win. They were: smoked walleye, labneh, potato cake, harissa; and maple crémeux, blueberry, pistachio, and caramel.

There was no Quick Fire Challenge in Episode 8.

Split of Dan Jacob's winning dishes for Top Chef's Restaurant wars.

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 8?

Chef Kaleena Bliss was again told to pack her knives based on her melon and Dungeness crab agua chile, pickled bamboo, and furikake tostada dish. The judges noted that her tortilla was too greasy. 

Manny Barella was also in the bottom.

Kaleena Bliss wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 9?

Chef Danny Garcia's cranberry-poached sea bass with cranberry panade won him the Quickfire and added $10,000 dollars to his bank account. 

Danny Garcia's cranberry-poached sea bass with cranberry panade

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 9?

Chef Savannah Miller's squash and maple jelly cake with Aronia berries, grapes, and plum jelly led her to the win. The Judges loved her dish's simplicity and how she allowed the food to tell a story. 

Savannah Miller's squash and maple jelly cake with aronia berries, grapes, and plum jelly

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 9?

Chefs Amanda Turner and Laura Ozyilmaz were both asked to pack their knives in the May 15 episode. The judges came to their decision based on Amanda's elk tataki tartare, confit mushrooms, Pipián rojo, and duck fat tortilla as well as Laura's duck tamal wrapped in mustard greens with huckleberry sauce and haroset.

Michelle Wallace was also in the bottom.

Split of Amanda Turner and Laura Ozyilmaz in a kitchen wearing their chefs coats

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 10?

Chef Savannah Miller's crispy corned beef and beet salad, crème fraîche, and pickled celery won the Quickfire and earned her $10,000 dollars.

Soo Aan was the runner-up. 

Top Chef 2110 Dish Savannah Miller

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 10?

Chef Danny Garcia's sofrito boil, salsa verde, carrot slaw, French bean, and bonito salad won him the challenge and an advantage in the next Elimination challenge. 

Dan Jacobs and Michelle Wallace were the runner-ups. 

The cheftestants were tasked with creating a fish boil, a dish brought to America by Scandinavian immigrants in the late 1800s as an economical way to feed large groups of workers.

Sofrito boil, salsa verde, carrot slaw, French bean, and bonito salad.

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 10?

Chef Soo Aan's was eliminated after his dish — a pineapple curry fish boil, with fish sauce buerre blanc, twice-cooked potatoes, and crispy corn miso slaw — was critiqued for being too mushy. 

 Manny Barella and Savannah Miller were also in the bottom.

Soo Ahn smiling in his chef uniform inside of a pantry.

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 11?

Chef Savannah Miller's lobster stir fry with red Fresno chilis, bok choy, and garlic with fish sauce and soy sauce won her the Quickfire and made her $10,000 dollars richer.

Dan Jacobs and Michelle Wallace were the runner-ups.

Plate of lobster stir fry with red Fresno chilis, Bok choy, and garlic with fish sauce and soy sauce.

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 11?

Returning from her win in Last Chance Kitchen, Chef Laura Ozylimaz blew the judges away and won her the challenge with her dessert: rose, sour cherry, pistachio, and honey sauces with clotted cream, sour cherry, and honey maraș.

Dan Jacobs and Danny Garcia were the runner-ups. 

A plate of rose, sour cherry, pistachio, and honey sauces with clotted cream, sour cherry, and honey maraș.

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 11?

Chef Michelle Wallace went home based on her dish of cured salmon, salmon mousse, beet biscuit, and pickled beets with capers as well as eggs with caviar, fig, and bacon jam, and her seasoned potato chips. She was critiqued for her beet biscuit being undercooked and the chips not being thick enough.

Manny Barella was also in the bottom.

Michelle Wallace wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 12?

This week's Quickfire challenge gave the cheftestants two opportunities to win. 

Chef Manny Barella won the blind taste test earning him $5,000 dollars. Chef Savannah Miller's fried dish — pork chop, faux Caesar with cheddar, and horseradish-kalamata olive sauce — was praised by the judges and earned her an additional $10,000. 

Chefs Dan Jacobs and Manny Barella's dishes were the judges' least favorite. 

Dish of fish, vegetables and sauce.

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 12?

Chef Savannah Miller's potato pavé, burnt onion, and cherry jam, chicken sauce reduction won her this week's Elimination challenge. 

Laura Ozylimaz was the runner up.

Dish with fish, greens and sauce on Top Chef.

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 12?

Chef Manny Barella was eliminated based on his snapper a la Veracruzana with creamy potatoes, and saltines, which was critiqued for being undercooked.

Danny Garcia and Dan Jacobs were also in the bottom.

Manuel Barella wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Quickfire Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 13?

This week's Quickfire challenged the cheftestants to make a dish using lionfish and gouda. 

Chef Dan Jacobs' lionfish tartare, orange and Fresno aguachile, and gouda frico won him his first Quickfire. 

Dan Jacobs quickfire dish of lionfish tartare, orange and Fresno aguachile, gouda frico

Who won the Elimination Challenge in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 13?

Chef Danny Garcia's took home the win with his sea bream mousse, fines herbes salad, scotch bonnet, and green garlic spheres as well as his smoked rainbow trout, plantain pumpkin purée, and hazelnut lemon relish edged out his completion. 

He won an additional $10,000 and a 10-day cruise.

Dan Jacobs was the runner-up.

Split of Danny Garcia's winning dishes for Top Chef Season 21 Episode 13

Who was eliminated in Top Chef Season 21, Episode 13?

Chef Laura Ozylimaz was asked to pack her knives and go based on her two dishes: black bass recado negro, squash, and fried plantain; and grouper with guajillo pepper glaze, guajillo-xo emulsion, and pineapple broth. 

The judges noted that the banana leaves in her black bass dish weren't cleaned properly, leaving a bitter flavor.

Laura Ozylimaz wearing a chef's uniform in a kitchen pantry

Who won the Elimination Challenge in the finale of Top Chef Season 21 (Episode 14)?

Chef Danny Garcia's response to the challenge — for cheftestants to make the best 4-course meal of their lives — won him both the episode and the show. (There was no Quickfire Challenge on this episode.)

He made: scallop and habanero leche de tigre with breadfruit and nori tuile; smoked mussels with plantains and cabbage, smoked mussel mayo, and fines herbes purée; spiny lobster with salsa macha, squash, persimmon, and Chaaza sauce; and "Piragua con leche," a melon sorbet with avocado yogurt, candied seaweed, and condensed milk stamp.

Danny Garcia the winner of Top Chef with Gail Simmons and Kristen Kish

Originally published Mar 21, 2024.

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