Top Chef: The Voltaggio Brothers and Kevin are in the Finale!
“Top Chef” was down to the final four – Kevin, Michael, Bryan, and Jen – but only three would make it to the finale. Jen said she was ready to cook and that coming in second place was still losing. Wonder if she changed her tune after tonight’s episode?
The Quick Fire Challenge was for the chefs to cook a dish on a train using grapes. It was the last high stakes challenge and the winner would get a new Prius. Jen wanted it, but it went to Michael.
For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs had to cook for the Napa Valley’s season end crush party. They could only use locally grown and raised ingredients, salt and pepper, and had to come up with two dishes – one vegetarian and one using a local protein. Jen chose duck and had planned to grill it, but didn’t notice the coals on the grill cooling down. That threw her a bit off her game and may have cost her a place in the finale.
Bryan served up a goat cheese ravioli that the judges (Tom, Gail, and chef Michael Chiarello) said nailed the texture, but the sauce was a bit bland. They also agreed that his short ribs needed salt as well. Michael cooked a poached egg and turnip soup. Padma found his egg a bit runny and Gail thought his soup was bitter. Kevin made a simple beet and carrot salad that Michael called stellar, but they found his beef brisket to be a bit tough. Jen cooked a chevre mousse and the duck. Tom said her duck tasted like duck and I think that was a compliment.
Tom and Padma praised all the remaining chefs for their professionalism throughout the show. Jen looked like she was about to cry at judge’s table. Maybe she knew because after Bryan was named the winner, Jen was told to pack her knives and go.
Read these other great entries