Top Chef Season 5: Episode Five Wrapup

Melissa is feeling the pressure and Ariane is riding high. Meanwhile, Sefan has a huge crush on Jamie. Wait...isn't she? Yeah, he doesn't seem to get it, but it's nice to see a side to Stefan that isn't him being a pompous jerk.

Quickfire Challenge

It's a taste-off! No guest judge, just Padma putting the chefs through a soup tasting tournament. In each round, the chef that can name the most ingredients correctly moves on. Danny says he "feels like a winner today." Irony! Surprisingly, many skip right over simple spices like salt and pepper and choke on the main flavors, getting themselves eliminated. It comes down to Hosea and Stefan, and Hosea comes out triumphant, to the delight of America, happy to see Stefan knocked down a peg. This was a fun challenge and the chefs really seemed to be having a good time.

Elimination Challenge

Gail's getting married! And the chefs are cooking for the bridal shower! And her guests are all foodies! No pressure, guys. Everyone splits into teams to prepare dishes, appropriately named:

Something Old

Jeff, Stefan and Hosea - a trio of heirloom tomato starters

Something New

Danny, Eugene and Carla - make your own sushi (???), beef and shrimp skewers, wonton microgreen salad

Something Borrowed

Jamie, Radhika and Ariane - lamb, raita and carrot purée

Something Blue

Fabio, Melissa and Leah - some boring fish dish

Guest judge Dana Cowen (Editor of Food&Wine) is introduced at the shower. Hosea is shaking when he brings his dishes to the table. Despite his trepidation, Fabio immediately charms everyone in the room (even though the dish is very eh).

Judge's Table

Team Old and Team Borrowed are the favorites of the night. Jeff gets a call out for his tomato sorbet. Everyone loves the dish from Team Borrowed, and all three get compliments, but the win surprisingly goes to Ariane for cooking the lamb, despite the fact that the flavors really came from Radhika and Jamie. Jamie is disappointed pissed.

At the bottom, Team Blue is criticized for creating a boring sea bass, but Team New gets the brunt of the judge's wrath for poor performance, from conception to execution. Danny takes the blame and goes home. By the way, Danny, you really thing it was a bad call that put you at the bottom? Really? Poor, misguided walking sterotype.

A few stray thoughts

• Is it not totally weird to see Danny lifting weights on the balcony still in his chef uniform? What?
• Why was Jeff wearing two watches?
• Stefan, do you really not get it? She's not into you.
• Watching all of the chefs pitch in for Team Borrowed was pretty inspiring. I don't think we've seen anything like this in 5 seasons.
• Favorite line of the episode: Cut to wide eyed Carla - "Are pickles new?"
• Bravo is trying way too hard to drum up romance. Quit it.

Next Week

MARTHA MARTHA MARTHA! Possible rancid food? A holiday extravaganza! Watch it!