The QF setup was intimidating! Walking into that room, damn! This was a High Stakes QF- The winner gets a 2014 Toyota Corolla.
This was a 2 part QF: 2 move forward after round one!
Part 1- Gail wanted 1 perfect bite on 1 small cocktail fork! What would I do? What Nina did! Shrimp or Scallop with Bacon! YUM!
This was such a cool challenge! Poor Shirley I felt so bad when everything fell off! I was glad they let her put elements back on!
Bottom (out round 1): Nina and Shirley (how did that happen!)
Carlos and Nick get to keep going- UGH!!!!
Part 2- Tom wants them to showcase a pepper or an eggplant.
Nick got the eggplant first, so Carlos had the pepper which was not his 1st choice.
And the winner is... Carlos! Better than Nick! I WANT to like Carlos, he is climbing his way up for me slowly. I do appreciate that he is a home chef and has made it this far.
Elimination Challenge- Take all the experience, knowledge and flavors they've discovered in New Orleans and create a dish. The winning dish will be featured on Emeril's menus in all his New Orleans' restaurants.
It was funny that everyone had to sit in the backseat of Carlos' new car together going to the market. and it was awesome they got to sit in the kitchen at Emeril's flagship!
Gail's dress did NOT disappoint, she had the girls on display!!!
Nina: Speckled Trout with Baby Vegetables and Barbecue Sauce
Nina forgot her pasta!!! I feel SO bad for her but the judges didn't mind and still liked her dish! It was also a beautiful plate!
Nick: Charred Cobia, Roasted Bass, and Tuna Confit with Crispy Rice and Shrimp Consomme
Nick always has to pour something on his dish and overcomplicate everything! The judges appreciated the complexity, but also pointed out that the fish was under-seasoned!
Carlos: Steamed Seafood Tamal with Saffron Cream Sauce and Pickled Okra
Carlos' dish does NOT sound good to me. Fish smoothy cooked in banana leaf...
They liked his dish but wished he left the banana leaf. They also wanted more heat but loved the concept.
Shirley: Seared Black Drum Fish with Zhenjiang vinegar butter sauce, braised Celery and Mushrooms
Shirley was very inspired and combined her culture with her experience. They loved that she added Chinese influence and included the Holy Trinity- Celery, Peppers and Onion!
On Top: Nina and Shirley!!!! And the winner is- Shirley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a win! she is on a roll and has gained SO much confidence going into the finale!
On Bottom: Nick and Carlos... And Carlos goes home! Not sure I agree, but we'll have to see what happens in LCK.
We all have someone in the finale! SHOCKED Nick is still in this!
Carlos and Nick get to keep going- UGH!!!!
Part 2- Tom wants them to showcase a pepper or an eggplant.
Nick got the eggplant first, so Carlos had the pepper which was not his 1st choice.
And the winner is... Carlos! Better than Nick! I WANT to like Carlos, he is climbing his way up for me slowly. I do appreciate that he is a home chef and has made it this far.
Elimination Challenge- Take all the experience, knowledge and flavors they've discovered in New Orleans and create a dish. The winning dish will be featured on Emeril's menus in all his New Orleans' restaurants.
It was funny that everyone had to sit in the backseat of Carlos' new car together going to the market. and it was awesome they got to sit in the kitchen at Emeril's flagship!
Gail's dress did NOT disappoint, she had the girls on display!!!
Nina: Speckled Trout with Baby Vegetables and Barbecue Sauce
Nina forgot her pasta!!! I feel SO bad for her but the judges didn't mind and still liked her dish! It was also a beautiful plate!
Nick: Charred Cobia, Roasted Bass, and Tuna Confit with Crispy Rice and Shrimp Consomme
Nick always has to pour something on his dish and overcomplicate everything! The judges appreciated the complexity, but also pointed out that the fish was under-seasoned!
Carlos: Steamed Seafood Tamal with Saffron Cream Sauce and Pickled Okra
Carlos' dish does NOT sound good to me. Fish smoothy cooked in banana leaf...
They liked his dish but wished he left the banana leaf. They also wanted more heat but loved the concept.
Shirley: Seared Black Drum Fish with Zhenjiang vinegar butter sauce, braised Celery and Mushrooms
Shirley was very inspired and combined her culture with her experience. They loved that she added Chinese influence and included the Holy Trinity- Celery, Peppers and Onion!
On Top: Nina and Shirley!!!! And the winner is- Shirley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a win! she is on a roll and has gained SO much confidence going into the finale!
On Bottom: Nick and Carlos... And Carlos goes home! Not sure I agree, but we'll have to see what happens in LCK.
We all have someone in the finale! SHOCKED Nick is still in this!
Seafood fucking mousse. As soon as Carlos uttered those words it was over.
ReplyDeleteNick seems oblivious to how annoying he is. Michal said the exact same thing about how he always has to pour stuff over his dishes table side. It is becoming more and more clear why he was the only staff asked to leave when 'his' restaurant changed owners. At least your four year probably likes you Nick, enjoy it while you can.
Nina and Shirley's dishes looked amazing. Presentation, taste, and texture were all spot on and has been the case pretty much all season.
I think I'm rooting for Louis to come back from LCK. It would be pretty cool to see a chef come back from 8 straight duels. I don't think either he or Carlos has a chance to win it all but I would like to see Louis get a shot.
Gail was looking good. I tried to post a picture but I don't think it's possible in the comments.
Come on Nina! Finish strong for Le Chefre. Shirley keeps getting better every episode and Hawaii is a great place for her to showcase those Asian flavors. This is going to come down to the wire.
Agreed with everything you both said already. If Nick brings one more table-side pitcher thing to a table I hope Padma cracks it over his noggin.
ReplyDelete