On June 6, 2007, as part of the buildup for season 3, Bravo aired a special charity episode called 4 Star All Star, which awarded $20,000 to the charity of the winning team's choice.
The show brought together season 1 contestants Stephen, Harold, Dave, and Tiffani, and pitted them against season 2 contestants Ilan, Elia, Marcel, and Sam. The show format was kept the same, with a Quickfire Challenge to start, followed by an Elimination Challenge.
The show was filmed in Miami Beach at the kitchen and hotel used for season 3. Padma Lakshmi hosted and the judges were Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and Ted Allen.
Challenges[]
Quickfire Challenge[]
Create a two-egg breakfast dish in 10 minutes, using only one hand.
Prize: An extra $100 for the overall winner's team to spend on groceries for the Elimination Challenge.
SEASON 1 TEAM WINNER: Stephen
SEASON 2 TEAM WINNER: Marcel
Elimination Challenge[]
Prepare a four-course meal for the season 3 contestants consisting of scallops, lobster, duck, and Kobe beef.
Teams were given 30 minutes of shopping time, with season 1 able to spend $300 and season 2 able to spend $200. Teams were given two hours of cooking time. Courses were served head to head, with the team that wins the most courses winning the challenge.
SCALLOPS: Dave made cold smoked scallops & triple olive tapenade with lemon vinaigrette. Elia made a scallop duo with citrus marmalade and endive salad.
LOBSTER: Stephen made lobster poached in beurre blanc with cauliflower crème anglaise. Marcel made a lobster duo with vanilla gelée and lobster foam.
DUCK: Harold made spicy duck meatballs with minted gnocchi. Ilan made almond stuffed duck breast with wild rice, white asparagus & raw egg yolk.
KOBE BEEF: Tiffani made Kobe beef two ways served with creamy polenta. Sam made seared Kobe beef with mushroom confit & onion relish.
Charities[]
Stephen, as winner of the season 1 team in the Quickfire, became team captain for the Elimination and got to choose his team's charity. He chose Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Marcel, as winner of the season 2 team in the Quickfire, became team captain for his team. He chose Share Our Strength for his charity.
Trivia[]
Prior to the Quickfire Challenge, season 1 contestant Lee Anne Wong was introduced as having been hired as a food consultant for Top Chef. This also explained Lee Anne's absence from the competition, as she was the fourth-place contestant in the first season of the show.
Clips[]