"Top Chef" is a popular reality television cooking competition that premiered in 2006. The show features talented chefs from various backgrounds who compete in culinary challenges to showcase their skills. Each season, contestants are eliminated based on their performance in challenges, with the ultimate goal of being crowned the "Top Chef" and winning a cash prize. The series is hosted by Padma Lakshmi, who is joined by a panel of judges, including renowned chefs and food industry experts. Contestants face a variety of challenges, such as creating dishes with specific ingredients or cooking for high-profile guests, testing their creativity and culinary expertise.