'Top Chef': Don't Get Comfortable Just Yet
Hot-tub-lovin' Brian follows up on last week's win with a quick-fire victory. Lucky for him, the challenge was a softball lobbed right into his wheelhouse—fresh shellfish. The chefs had 30 minutes to shuck and prepare a net-full of aquarium dwellers. Howie and C.J. also got high marks from guest judge, Alfred Portale, owner of the Gotham Bar and Grill.
The elimination challenge shifted gears to the proverbial "update classic American comfort food, give it your own twist, and make it healthier." Each chef is asked to pick a different dish from a lineup that included franks and beans, meatloaf, fried chicken, tuna casserole, etc., and they are given specific instructions about "lowering cholesterol." Besides the judges, the chefs will need to impress the members of the local Elks Club.
Long story short: Just about everyone disappointed, despite having ample funds ($75) and ample time (this was the first week that all dishes were actually plated as intended). Padma and Tom seemed surprised, shocked even, that the chefs didn't get more "creative" and deliver more appealing fare. [Warning: Spoiler after the jump.]
To me, it seemed like a classic case of you get what you ask for—a muddle. There were too many constraints in this challenge, clearly, and the majority of 13 talented chefs couldn't handle it. Blame the producers on this one—it was a dumb challenge. They should have just let the contestants update the American classics and handed out Brand-Name Cholesterol Medicine to the retirees at the Elks Club. That's a win-win for everyone.
After the judges had their say, Howie got his groove back and ended his run at the bottom of the totem pole. His Pork Chops and Applesauce (updated, twisted, and healthy) is available on the Top Chef web site for unhealthy Americans everywhere to re-create and feast upon.
It's safe to assume that Micah won't be indulging in good ol' fashioned comfort food any time soon, since her dry, cylindrical meatloaf and mashed potatoes with the funky aftertaste sent her packing.
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