Ah, the Euros. So adorable. So...European. Let's jump right in this week:
Quickfire Challenge
A one-pot dish! Bam! And then...MARTHA! "She's a very knowledgeable woman, and she's from Jersey." Martha gives them some tips and the chefs get to work. Will Martha's judgment be too harsh for them?
At this point, the chefs are pretty competent, so no really crazy concoctions this week. Martha doesn't like Jeff, Eugene or Fabio's dishes (Fabio's grandmother would be so disappointed). On top are Hosea, Jamie and Ariane. And the winner is...Ariane? Again? It looks like she's learning how to play the game. Congrats enjoy your Martha cookbook (has the economy finally taken its toll on the Top Chef prize department?)
Elimination Challenge
First, a performance by the Harlem Gospel Choir (whoa!) And catering for an American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) event with dishes inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas. It's a sweaty and smoky few hours of cooking and everyone is feeling the pressure of cooking for hundreds of people.
Then...disaster! Someone left the fridge open! COME ON! My mom would totally ground you for that. Hosea and Radhika are the worst off, so everyone else pulls together and helps repair their dishes with what they can find in the Top Chef kitchen. Between this and last week's help-out session for Ariane, I'm getting' all misty over here.
The dishes are:
12 Drummers Drumming - Stefan: Chicken Pot Pie
11 Pipers Piping - Hosea: Pork Tenderloin and Mashed Potatoes
10 Lords a Leaping - Jeff: Seared Cheese, Beets and Nuts
8 Maids a Milking - Melissa: Steak and Gorgonzola on Sourdough
9 Ladies Dancing - Fabio: Crab Cake
7 Swans a Swimming - Jamie: Scallops
6 Geese a Laying - Ariane: Deviled Eggs
5 Golden Rings - Eugene: Ceviche and Pineapple Rings
3 French Hens - Leah - Braised Hen and Squash Puree
2 Turtle Doves - Carla: Braised Chicken and Mushroom Salad
A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Radhika: Seared Duck and Brioche
During the event, Hosea and Radhika's dishes surprisingly become favorites despite their earlier problems. Jeff's also sticks out - and he's loving the attention.
Judge's Table
On top: Radhika, Hosea, Jeff and Stefan. All performed very well, but Hosea takes the win. He's really starting to shine after a few slips earlier this season.
Not so hot: Eugene, Melissa and Jamie. But wait, there's more...
Regardless of the top and bottom chefs, Tom and the rest of the judges are universally disappointed in the level of quality the chefs have been exhibiting. He goes into the back room to give the chefs a pep talk. He'd make a great coach. Then the (happy) bombshell: NO ONE IS GOING HOME! Apparently chefly generosity and love is rewarded in kind.
I'm betting it would have been Eugene to go if the judge's hadn't been so kind. He showed a level of stubbornness approaching "Danny" levels. Ugh.
Next Week
A new judge? No more Gail? Awww. Stay tuned for a "no-limits" challenge on Christmas Eve. Bravo, you're too kind.
