TOP CHEF Spoiler Thread

[filkertom]

In last week's season opener, two groups of chefs were put through grueling challenges just to actually get a spot on the show. A number were sent home. Four are "on the bubble", to vie for any spots remaining if the first sixteen are not filled.

The second round of eliminations begins. Tom, Padma, Hugh Acheson. Diabolical challenge: Each chef picks one of ten ingredients, along with a surprise -- a timer letting them know how long they have to cook something with their ingredient.

20-minute group: Paul is in, Kim is out, Andrew is on the bubble.

40-minute group: Chaz doesn't get his risotto the the plate -- he's gone. Jonathan's Brussel sprouts weren't cooked enough -- gone. Laurent's on the bubble, barely. Berenice -- gone. Wow, tough round.

60-minute group: Lindsay's lamb gets her in. Ashley's gone. Beverly had never cooked octopus before, but she did well enough to get a jacket -- she's in.

Which leaves six people on the bubble, with two slots left.

They get 45 minutes, using any ingredients in the kitchen, to cook a dish showing why they should be on Top Chef. Emeril joins them at Judges' Table. Tom says, "Don't leave anything on the table."

With about 25 minutes left, Edward (who has noticed that all five of the others are doing seafood, so he chooses duck) cuts himself badly. The medic wraps up his hand while he's still cooking with the other.

Judges' Table: Molly's shrimp is overcooked and bland. Laurent's scallop tartare doesn't work, but his hot scallop does. Edward's duck is flavorful. Tom wishes Andrew had stopped at the mussels. Tom and Emeril like Grayson's bacon-wrapped shrimp with figs. Janine's scallop was perfectly cooked, but there's something kinda raw about it.

Molly's gone. Laurent's gone. Edward's in. Andrew's gone. I really wish they wouldn't have Padma recapping the stakes (one getting a Top Chef jacket, the other going home) both before and after the commercial. It's really annoying.

Grayson's in. Janine is gone.

The preview is... Texas-sized. Three different cities. Pee Wee Herman. Charlize Theron. Camping. Angst. Motherfucking snakes on some motherfucking plates. (Padma either hated or looooooved saying that; I know which camp I'd be in. Motherfuckers. :D ) A trip to the E.R.

And a new feature at Bravo's Top Chef site: Last Chance Kitchen. Andrew and Janine have to make pizza; the winner has to face every other eliminated chef to stay in. Andrew stays.

On to next week.

Thoughts?

Comments

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

It's a good, diverse group. I do wish that the first ep had included all of the cut-down rounds, even if it had to be double-length. Now the season can start.

When it came down to it, I thought the judges would take Janine over Grayson (comments like "good flavors" as opposed to "not very imaginative"). Don't know if I like Ed (both for his intensity and push to keep cooking through the cut, and his choice of a not-seafood protein) or dislike him (his attitude about waiting really sucks).

Is it just me, or are there a LOT of chefs from Chicago in the final 16 (I think I counted four, but it might have been five)?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

I'll have to double-check, but, yeah, Chicago seemed well-represented. There were also a fair number from Austin, and I didn't notice how many of them are still in.

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

The last chance kitchen is an interesting addition. What I like about it, compared to some other competition shows that bring back eliminated contestants, is that those who do make it back to compete at the finale will have had just as much "weekly" competition experience as those who are still officially in the show. In fact they will always have to be at the top of their game and not be able to coast. Harder on those eliminated maybe but at least not as unfair to the ones *not* eliminated yet. It got me to the website to watch the video too, and that's something the other web site only stuff usually doesn't accomplish :).