Top Chef celebrity judges are somewhat hit or miss on the show for fans. However, with 18 seasons, the series has invited some famous faces that have made fans love the show even more.
And while some celebrity judges might appear on Top Chef for exposure, rather than a passion for culinary technique and creativity, many other guest stars prioritize the challenge at hand, which either provides some creative freedom to the chefs or an opportunity to test their skills. Most celebrity guest judges do a great job putting their focus on the challenge and the food at hand, and fans have their favorites that were the most memorable or stood out over the years.
Aisha Tyler - Season 4
Actress, comedian, and director Aisha Tyler was featured as a celebrity judge for the fourth season. This challenge, from 2008, had the chef contestants make a meal for Aisha's birthday party: a six-course meal inspired by the chef's favorite film.
Despite being an intense elimination round, Aisha's charisma stole the episode, winning the heart of many fans with her laugher and genuine awe of the chef's creativity. And her lack of experience in food criticism didn't bother fans. In fact, Reddit user fabulousfantabulist said that she's "always a delight in anything she does" and PolarBearClaire19 agreed, "loving Aisha in general."
Foo Fighters - Season 5
According to DarthBaio, they loved the energy of guest judges, Foo Fighters. In fact, the Reddit user said that "they seemed to have a genuinely good time." Unlike some Top Chef judges and contestants, who get into some big arguments, Foo Fighters were in unanimous agreement about their love for the show, making sure to take time out of their 2008 tour schedule for it while in New York.
Themed around Thanksgiving, the chefs were challenged to make a Thanksgiving dinner for the celebrity guests and the winner would get Foo Fighter concert tickets. Foo Fighters claimed to be big fans of the show, making the experience relatable to many fans who, like this Reddit user, saw their genuine happiness shine through as they enjoyed everything from pumpkin mousse to some classic potatoes.
Chris Pratt & Anna Faris - Season 10
Previously married, Chris Pratt & Anna Faris made a major appearance in season 10. Fans love the episodes of Top Chef that allow the chefs more freedom, challenging their culinary abilities. Reddit user elleryqueen didn't focus on Chris Pratt and Anna Faris as celebs or the homecoming party that the chefs were catering. Rather, they emphasized how their preferences in cuisine reflected the two actors' ancestry, inspiring an episode filled with different tastes and cuisines.
The chefs had to provide remarkable meals that reflected Pratt's and Faris's Swedish, Norwegian, and German descent. Besides this their deep love for one another when this episode was filmed was evident, and so their divorce was a surprise to all fans.
Natalie Portman - Season 6
Natalie Portman is well regarded for her acting, as well as her humanitarian efforts. While on the show, many fans appreciated her sense of humor and kindness but also her food preferences, as she has been public about her vegetarianism.
Fans admired how the show incorporated this aspect, with Reddit user zodiacsoldier emphasizing how Portman's vegetarianism "added an extra challenge for the chefs." In fact, the episode, overall, provided more inclusivity for individuals who have dietary restrictions similar to Portman.
Kelly Clarkson - Season 17
Passionate fans love Top Chef, but they definitely have their preferences as to which seasons and episodes they feel are the best seasons and worst. A fan favorite was when singer and voice coach, Kelly Clarkson, appeared on the show for a special "Trolls World Tour" Quickfire challenge. Both Reddit users PolarBearClaire19 and Future_Dog_3156 emphasized how Clarkson's seemed to be one of the "real fans of the show and food" while the latter felt she was "sweet and funny."
More importantly, fans appreciated how, despite being on the show to promote the Trolls movie, she kept the focus on the Quickfire challenge and love for the food, rather than on the film.
Emmy Rossum - Season 12
Fans also loved Shameless's Emmy Rossum, not only because of her charm, but also due to her representation of those who have gluten-free diets. The actress brought a fresh challenge, as chefs didn't find out about her dietary restrictions until later, having to adapt at the last minute.
According to Reddit user lelisblanc, appreciated that Rossum provided a "fun twist" for the chefs. For many fans, it was also appreciated that reflected the real world, in which chefs need to consider the dietary needs of their clients.
Anthony Mackie - Season 11
Marvel star Anthony Mackie may be well regarded for his acting skills and action moves, but fans also admired his knowledge of and love for food during season 11. With the dedication to food and regional cuisines, Anthony Mackie prepared the chefs for when they move on to become real-world chefs, which might lead them to meet people with a deep knowledge of food, like Mackie.
According to many fans, like Reddit user Beserked2, Mackie's love for New Orleans and his knowledge of New Orleans food made him a fan favorite. They said they are "just a big fan and he seemed to know his stuff when it came to New Orleans and food."
Ali Wong & Randall Park - Season 17
Ali Wong & Randall Park made audiences laugh around the world with their hit Netflix film, Always Be My Maybe. On the show to promote their new film, fans appreciated not only their chemistry but the way they tested the chefs during the Quickfire challenge in season 17. A Reddit thread about the pair and their "wacky fried rice challenge" led to some fans expressing their happiness about their appearance on the show.
Reddit user lexiemadison, for example, explained how Ali Wong & Randall opened the doors to new techniques and different tastes in vegetarian food. The Reddit user went on to say that they never understood "how vegetarian cooking challenges are such a struggle for really talented chefs."
Jimmy Fallon - Season 8
For his birthday lunch, late-night host Jimmy Fallon not only had the chance to be a feature on Top Chef but also have an epic birthday party meal, consisting of beef tongue and hamburger and fries. Fallon is a major late-night TV show host, making people and guest stars smile, but the stars of this episode were definitely the chefs.
Many fans enjoyed Fallon's charisma and the pure happiness he brought during his episode Reddit user Craftycorgimoom mentioned rewatching season 8 and how it lifted her stressed husband's mood saying, "he smiled so big when we saw the preview. So I am going with Jimmy Fallon right now."
Charlize Theron - Season 9
To align with the film Snow White and The Huntsman, actress Charlize Theron tested chefs' culinary skills as well as their creativity and open-mindedness. Playing the evil queen in the film, Theron wanted the chefs to make something evil. And Reddit user bilweav expressed how they loved that the challenge allowed for some new ideas.
They said, "what they came up with was amazing and creative. The destroyed chicken (and unborn child!), the blood hand on the plate, etc. One of the best challenges." This theme was a great opportunity to see how the chefs were able to set themselves apart and show their creativity with their culinary skills.