Every year, at least one “cheftestant” rises to the top as the villain du saison.

Bryan was the stereotypical older siblingstraitlaced, patient, maybe a little boring.

Michael was the cockier, sexier, backward-hat-wearing risk-taker.

Top Chef | At the center of Top Chef ’s best season was the sibling rivalry between the immensely talented Voltaggios. Bryan was the stereotypical older sibling: straitlaced,

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She seemingly spent more time battering Beverly Kim with expletives than fulfilling her front-of-house duties.

But given the two spicier meanies ofTop Chef:Texas, Lindsay’s villainy was flavorless in comparison.

His rivals didn’t always appreciate his straight shooting, and his ego knew no bounds.

With her Southern-fried accent and easy smile, Lindsay had all the appearances of a Fan Favorite, but she sure didn’t act like one in the

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With little convincing, these two started up a sizzling on-camera romance for their soon-to-be-exes back home to see.

(Still one of the most quotable moments of the seriesBravo, just put it on a T-shirt.)

But Tiffani’s directness may have been the source of her culinary mojo.

Top Chef | The foulmouthed Finn was sometimes portrayed on the show as a European baddie straight out of a James Bond film (just give him a fluffy

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Way to lose Fan Favorite in one swift move!

Was he the kitchen’s charismatic spiritual leader or a manipulative charmer?

He picked fights, talked endless smack, and seemed to fancy himself some kind of rapper.

Stefan may have been the ordained villain of season 5, but Hosea and Leah’s significant others might feel otherwise. With little convincing, these two started

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Overall, the other chefs were justified in antagonizing himuntil the villain became the victim.

Even though Marcel’s personality was grating, at least his weird-science cooking was interesting to watch.

Sarah Grueneberg (Season 9)

Where to begin?

Top Chef | The very first Top Chef villain, this fiery redhead saw herself as confident and driven, but the other cheftestants saw her as being as tough

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you’ve got the option to’t blame all that on editing.

Top Chef | The season 3 winner embraced and even sought out the role of villain, proclaiming himself to be a ‘‘CPA… Certified Professional Asshole.’’ Way to lose

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Top Chef | Angelo was a tough one to read, and that made him all the more dangerous. Was he the kitchen’s charismatic spiritual guru or a manipulative

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Top Chef | Having learned their lesson from previous seasons, most of the All-Stars were on their best behavior. We were in the midst of our first villain-less

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Top Chef | Several of her fellow contestants described Lisa, whose tongue was as sharp as a knife, as having ‘‘the worst attitude.’’ She sure looked it —

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Top Chef | It’s hard to say if the hair gel-loving molecular gastronomist was a villain or more of a super-annoying little brother type. He picked fights, talked

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Where to begin? Not only did she accuse world-class chefs of having defective palates for daring to criticize her risotto, she belittled resident punching bag

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Many Top Chef villains are bad in a fun, self-aware, or even gleeful way. But Heather cast an ugly shadow over Top Chef Texas when

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