I have to say, I love this challenge- who doesn't want to make great bar food?!
Keriann is in a bad place going in, she needs to get it together! Greg had a big ooooops! Super sucks for him, but his dish wasn't all that great to begin with in my opinion.
Bottom: Greg & James
Top: Katsuji & Keriann
Winner- Katsuji with Mahi Mahi and Tuna Ceviche With Roasted Tomato and Jalapeno Salsa
Elimination Challenge- Takeover Michael Schlow's Italian restaurant Via Matta. Create a classic Italian dinner in teams of 3, the team who's menu is ordered the most will win. It is a double elimination challenge so everyone not in the winning team is up for elimination. They even get to pick their own teams!
Orange Team:
Doug: Radicchio Salad With Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese Vinaigrette, and Hazelnuts
Adam: Bay Scallop and Fennel Linguine With Sun Gold Tomato and Gremolata and Red Quinoa Polenta With Seafood Brodo (Gluten-Free)
Mei: Branzino With Lemon Jam, Salsa Verde, and Radish
Grey Team:
James: Chilled Wild Shrimp, Mussels and Clams With Arugula, Navel Orange, and Capers
Melissa: House Made Spring Pea Ravioli With Ramps and Bacon-Parmesan Broth and Risotto With Bacon-Parmesan Broth, and Spring Pea Puree (Gluten-Free)
Keriann: Pan-Seared Halibut With Olive Oil Potato, Warm Asparagus Salad, and Pistachios
Purple Team:
Aaron: Seared Scallops, Macerated Peaches, Pickled Ramps, and Crispy Speck
Katsuji: Spring Pea and Goat Cheese Raviolo With Pecorino, Green Chili, and Mint and Spring Pea and Goat Cheese With Pecorino, Green Chili and Mint (Gluten-Free)
Greg: Peppercorn-Crusted Strip Loin With Sweet Onion Compote, Roasted Tomato, Cured Olives, and Herbs
Blue Team:
Rebecca: Seared Scallop With Charred Fennel, Orange, and Arugula
Katie: Hand-Cut Pappardelle With Basil-Walnut Pesto and Confit Cherry Tomatoes and Zucchini Pappardelle With Basil-Walnut Pesto, and Confit Cherry Tomatoes (Gluten-Free)
Stacy: Grilled Rib-Eye With King Trumpet Musthrooms, Asparagus, and Kalamata Olive Vinaigrette
Guest Judge is Emmy Rossum, and she's Gluten Free!!! (funny she just guest-judged the Project Runway Finale!) Also- what's up with Tom and his glasses- did he go Hipster?
It would be insanely stressful to be on Katsuji's team since he has immunity AND it's a double elimination challenge on a team of 3... Plus, he also screwed up the Gluten Free dish so badly! Anyone else notice that there are lots of "Ramps" this year- what the hell is a ramp?
So... the winning team is... Purple Team! Their menu did sound good!
On the bottom are:
James: too little oil and rubbery shrimp
Stacy: pre-cut steak and overcooked veggies
Rebecca: un-charred fennel, lacked sauce and was overly salted
Going home are James and Rebecca!
Next week is WAR!!!
We just caught up on the last 2 episodes last night and DAMN, team VD has flared up quite nicely over the last few weeks!
ReplyDeleteSure we lost Ron, but I'd rather cut him loose early than have him hang around in negative points land. Ron didn't have the confidence that the other Cheftestants have, probably because he hasn't really been cooking in his restaurants lately. (Note - we haven't seen any of the LCK yet so I don't know who has been doing well there)
Greg is looking like a power-house and Adam seems pretty strong as well. I doubt these two will be in the bottom much moving forward. Sure, a strong cross breeze might blow off the top bun of a burger once or twice, but that happens to the best of us ;).
Team Pickely has a similar situation of most likely not having any of their team members in the bottom much moving forward. But that's also because they barely have any team members left! All their hopes and dreams are on Doug's shoulders and he is starting from 0 thanks to the negatives from the rest of his eliminated Cheftestant brethren. I think he is strong and will add points to Pickley's total, but its looking more and more like Greg is the beast and not Doug. I think it's gonna be too little too late for Kelly and Michal.
Team Trian had a great couple of weeks too. Solidly into the positives and still has all their Chefs. This team could make a run if they don't implode first. Cheering for Aaron would have to be pretty brutal considering I have wanted him to go home for the last 4 episodes. Dude is so annoying. Melissa is rising to the top though, and I don't see any true anchors here. Gonna have to keep our eyes on the rooks.
That brings us to Le'Chefre. Currently in 2nd place, and probably happy that James made his exit. I didn't see him lasting much longer. That bar snack he made was the very last thing I would have ordered. Mei Lin is a strong player and perhaps the best female chef in the competition, but Katsuji is constantly running hot and then cold like the HVAC in my Bellagio hotel room this past week. Stacey has a good energy and attitude, but -> Scoreboard. She is pulling this team down like the little dog on a Coppertone bottle. I think le'Chefre is going to get burned with Stacey on the team for the next couple weeks.
Power rankings:
1 - Victory!, Deconstructed
(big gap)
2 - Rooks
3 - Pickley
4 - le'Chefre
It's a close race for 2nd right now, but I think the quantity of team Trian chefs has a slight lead due to points potential. The potential negative points for le'Chefre is why I put them last.
Still plenty of shake and bake left in the season though.
James was a disappointment and I'm glad he's back in the 1980's where he belongs.
ReplyDeleteDoug - Hilarious comments this week but are you crazy man? Le Chefre is lower than Pickely??
Snaders and I think you are so crazy we are willing to offer you 3-2 odds in the form of drinks at our next TC dinner that Le Chefre beats Pickely. What say you?
There will be 2 Doug's winning that bet. I accept!
ReplyDelete