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!
TOP CHEF!!! My favorite episode of the season! We’ve got the best of the season – Angelo, Ed, Kelly and Kevin. It’s the first international finale for the show. Singapore! Darn, so close to the Philippines!
So the four reunite at the hawker food center, led by Seeto. Seeto’s quite the charmer isn’t he? So entertaining and fun! I wish I were part of the group he was touring. The foursome taste the best of the food stalls, including Singapore’s famous chili crab and chicken rice. JEALOUS. I’m hoping they’re taking notes because this definitely has something to do with the Quickfire.
And yep, that’s Padma at the end of the tour. The Quickfire Challenge: Create your own street food using a wok. I’m thinking Angelo has this in the bag since he’s the chef/owner of an Asian restaurant. Padma asks Kevin, “What’s wrong with you?” when she learns he’s never used a wok in his life. I found that pretty weird, thinking it should’ve been part of his preps for the finale right? Asian cookware, man!
Wow first time ever!! Immunity for the quickfire winner this far in the competition! Pretty good twist there Top Chef! Love it!
Angelo makes Chili Frog Legs with Pineapple and Rambutan Salsa. Kevin makes Stew with Lobster and Cuttlefish with Crispy Shallots. Ed makes Stir Fry Noodles with Black Pepper Sauce, Lobster and Gai Lan. Kelly makes Chinese Noodles with Lobster, Cockles, Bean Sprouts and Chinese Broccoli.
A lot of good feedback goes around and ED WINS! Wow, good for him! He looks mighty pleased he beat Angelo too.
Briefing for the Elimination Challenge time! They’re tasked to cater a party for Food & Wine Magazine based on local cuisine. The twist is they have to work as a team. They have to execute “a la minut” says Padma. Did I get the spelling right? Anyway according to the chefs that means cooking as the orders come in. “Done to order” Kevin clarifies.
Let’s skip the menu studying, prawn-fishing and go straight to preps! The guys agree to prepare four dishes for eighty people. Tom questions this during preps though and orders them to create two each. Ed goes he’s been preparing an extra dish anyway, which the others don’t take too well. But ill feelings go away quickly as they move on together to work as a team. GOOD JOB YOU GUYS!!!
Angelo prepares Lamb Tartare with Rambutan Ceviche and Curry Oil, and Spicy Shrimp Broth with Ginger and Prawn Dumplings. His tartare got rave reviews from all the judges, the broth was deemed delicious but salty. Ed makes Crispy Rice and Potato Cakes, Sweet and Sour Pork, Kai Lan, which is described as something like a sophisticated streetfood. He also prepares a Fried Banana Fritter with Red Chili Paste. The judges are OVER THE MOON with this dessert. “Oh my god I love it!,” exclaims Dana Cowin. Tom looks pleasantly perplexed. WE HAVE A WINNER. Kelly makes Chilled Cucumber-Yogurt Soup, Bitter Melon Salad. Ampalaya salad? The judges are okay with the soup but love the salad. She also prepares Seared Prawns, Spicy Red Coconut Curry, Crispy Prawn Heads. Kevin makes Clam Chowder Flavors of Southeast Asia and 63° Farm Egg, Pearl Tapioca, Radish Condiment.
Dana Cowin, Seeto, Tom, Padma and Gail look mighty happy with their meals. I think the dishes looked really delicious and impressive! I can’t wait for judges table. I’m thinking Kevin’s going home and that Ed’s winning even with immunity.
JUDGES TABLE! Lots of good words are passed around but my favorite comments of all? “Perfect stoner food!” “I wanted six, I got two.” Tom and Gail adored Ed’s banana fritters. I WANT TO TASTE THIS DISH!
So who wins? ED!!!!!!!!!!!! And who goes home? Kelly. Aw. Angelo’s in tears. Tears of relief? So the trio are hanging out at the Asian stew room when Padma calls them back to judges table. Who’s there? Who’s there? Holy crap it’s HUNG, MIKE VOLTAGGIO AND ILAN. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! Hung and Mike are two of my fave cheftestants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohooooooo!!!
Teaser for the next ep: Angelo’s sick and unable to cook. He gets a nasty shot on his butt too. Uh oh, what’s up with that? Anyway, I can’t wait to see Mike Voltaggio cook again! Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!
And oh yeah, I’m rooting for Ed.
The dish I would have loved to eat up:
Ed’s Fried Banana Fritter with Red Chili Paste
RECIPE PLEASE???
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.
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September 11, 2010 at 2:39 am (14 years ago)this was a really fun episode. btw ed was also iron chef kat cora’s sous chef on one of her battles on iron chef – the one that aired last sunday. just thought you’d like to know.
now on to top chef – i am just getting pissed with ed for not being “christian” enough and continues to taunt angelo. they’re like brothers who didn’t get along as kids and continued to get each other’s goat as they mature.
anyway, i thought it would have been kevin to go. i thought kelli had enough savvy to hurdle this asian themed battle even though she didn’t have experience cooking the cuisine.
i wonder if the finals would be in singapore as well. last season the regular shows were in vegas but the finals was in napa valley. it would be cool if they move to another asian nation like japan for instance.
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