If you have not seen this week’s episode of Top Chef, read no further. This post contains spoilers!
How’d you guys like this Top Chef episode? Here are my random thoughts. Would love to hear yours!
Gastronauts! NASA time! Okay before watching the show I already knew who would win the quickfire AND elimination challenge (no) thanks to a Twitter spoiler. Ah well, that happens. I take my Top Chef very seriously though so I did get a bit sad. But anyway, that’s nothing a little “Hail to the Chef” can’t fix! That line always cracks me up.
Intro intro…Kelly’s missing her husband. Hey Angelo’s son is a real cutie! We learn he’s divorced. Because of his crabs? Kidding!
Quickfire! What’s Padma wearing? Is she the maitre’d of the day? Looks like she’s got nothing but stockings and she’ll tap dance to exit frame. She looks great though. Beside her is Dana Cowin, Editor-in-Chief of Food and Wine Magazine looking all kinds of fresh. Ed says she’s Facebook friends with her.
Quickfire challenge: Create a dish based on a wine pairing. Tiffany says this isn’t her strength because she has a wine guy at her restaurant. Oh Tiffany, I’m rooting for you even though I know who the winner is. Oh wow, High Stakes Quickfire! 6 nights in Hilton London!
1 hour to cook! Let’s cook for London!!! Angelo says “Understanding wine makes you a better chef.” Kevin’s pork belly doesn’t turn out the way he wants it to, so he goes to quail as back-up though he knows it won’t go well with the wine. At least he won’t do a Howie and not serve anything.
Tiffany: Two Hands Shiraz: Cocoa and Black Pepper-crusted Wagyu Tenderloin with Spring Risotto
Kevin: Tangley Oaks Merlot: Grilled Quail with Shaved Apple, Fennel Salad and Apple Vinaigrette
Angelo: Evolution White Wine: Sauteed Foie Gras with Black Salt and Fennel Salad
Kelly: Federalist Dry Creek Zinfandel: Wild Boar Tenderloin, Blackberry Conserve, Mache, Blue Cheese Emulsion
Ed: Il Poggione Rosso: Grilled Wagyu Rib Eye with Spring Potato Risotto and Mushroom Ragout
Least successful pairing was Kevin’s. Not a perfect match. Kelly’s blue cheese failed her. Angelo’s pairing had a nice contrast. Tiffany lands on top too. And the winner is Angelo because I got the spoiler 😛
Wow the finals will be held in Singapore! Oh wow, Angelo’s in Asian heaven.
For the elimination challenge, the five chefs head over to NASA. Awesome awesome! NASA’s food scientist welcomes the chefs. And there’s a pretty cool communication thing going on between the International Space Station via satellite and DC. Awesooome.
Design a dish that’s out of this world, following guidelines of dining at zero gravity. Winning dish will be used by them at NASA. COOL! Create a dish that can be freeze-dried and sent into space. Not a high level of sugar, not big ingredients, spicy food tastes good… some tips from the food scientist.
Buzz Aldrin’s a special guest. Wow, big time! The guests go shopping and they strategize at Whole Foods.
COOKING TIME! Angelo tells Tom that he’s making short ribs, and Tom makes a WTF face. Hahaha.
Tiffany’s mussels are super frozen!
Note on the counter. TYRA MAIL! Oh wait, wrong show.
Winner of the challenge gets a brand new car!
Okay cook cook cook… dinner of 8! Anthony Bourdain is there!!
Kelly: Pan Roasted Halibuted with Artichoke and Fennel Barigoule, Salsa Verde Salad. Everyone seems to enjoy it.
Ed: Yogurt-Marinated Rack of Lamb with Eggplant Puree and coucous croquette. Flavorful and well-cooked. Anthony Bourdain says Ed nailed it.
Kevin: NY Strip Steak with Bacon-Jalapeno Marmalade, corn puree. Why do I have a feeling he’s going home? Challenge is maintaining crispiness of onion rings.
Tiffany: Pan-seared Alaskan Halibut with Coconut Curry, Snow Pea Shoots and Jasmine Rice.
Angelo: Ginger-lacquered short ribs and horseradish creme fraiche. Looks good!
What’s with the Ripert-Bourdain conflict? Haha!
Judges table!
Angelo made love to the ingredients. Oh-kay. Haha.
Deliberate, deliberate, deliberate. Oh man, is Tiffany going home? If she does, she’s going to Paris anyway and won money from the high stakes quickfire before. Hmm…
The judges say they’re splitting hairs.
Out of this world dish winner is ANGELO. I already knew he was winning but I still got shivers. AND he gets the Toyota Avalon. Good for him! He’s got his groove back.
Who else is going to Singapore with him?
“Tiffany please pack your knives and go.” Arrrrrrrrhghghghghghgh. I was rooting for her.
“Just so close,” she says teary-eyed. Aww.
Next: SINGAPORE!
The dish I would have loved to taste: Angelo’s space dish of course!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Photo Cache
September 4, 2010 at 12:39 am (14 years ago)that was a fun show – i thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. my husband was skeptical about angelo’s pairings as he himself is an amateur sommelier in his mind. but turned out angelo’s dish and wine pairing was the best, who knew.
just glad that angelo seem to have got his mojo back. let’s see how they cook in the heat and humidity of singapore. there isn’t any other locale best suited for this type of show that the foodie capital of the globe.
btw, i was shocked to see tony bourdain there and even more so when he was “nice”. i would have wanted him to tear them apart.
all in all the best show this season yet, imho.
Photo Cache´s last blog post ..Courtside Drama