TeeVee: Top Chef DC (Pea-Gate)
July 29th 2010 19:37
Top Chef DC (Wednesdays at 9PM on Bravo)
Am I the only one that still doesn't have a favorite this season!? I don't even have a chef-testant I'm even considering rooting for based on food shown. It's sad. This season is all about the drama, the cut-throat tactics of the chefs battling it out for the Top spot, but halfway through the season I should at least have a favorite, right?!
Well anyway, let's start with the...
QUICKFIRE - ON A STICK
The youngest Congressman, Aaron Schock of Illinois helped Padma judge the challenge. There's a rule, or a law, or something that states that all things served at a Congressional party must be on a toothpick, it order to curb lobbyists from winning over Congress with extravagent dinners. So that's the challenge, make something that can go on a toothpick... Oh, and i'ts a HIGH STAKES QUICKFIRE, therefore not only does the winner get IMMUNITY, but also $20,000.
TOP
Angelo - WINNER - Cucumber Cup with Spiced Shrimp and Cashew - "Like fireworks in my mouth"
Kevin - Grilled Pork Kabob on Mushroom with Sherry Vinegar - Aaron thought about it throughout the tasting...
Stephen - Scallop and Beef with Crispy Potato, and Bearnaise Sauce - he was able to put a lot on a toothpick
MIDDLERS
Amanda - Lamb Kabob with Heirloom Tomatos and Salsa Verde
Andrea - Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Pecan Cheddar Waffles, Pickled Watermelon and Black Pepper Maple Gravy
Kenny - Tandoori Spiced Sockeye Salmon and Shrimp with Mango-Mojito Relish.
Tiffany - Crispy Pork Roulade with Prosciutto, Date and Red Peper Coulis
BOTTOM
Alex - Scallops with Crispy Bacon, Strawberries and Basil Essense - cited for too many flavors going on.
Ed - Duo of Tuna: Cruchy Tuna Confit, Grilled Tuna with Avocado, and Sweet and Sour Watermelon - it looked better than it tasted
Kelly - Scallops with Watermelon, Pickled Watermelon Rind and Watermelon Vinaigerette - not enough flavor
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE - POWER LUNCH AT THE PALM
The chef-testants draw knives to determine the protein they'll be working with, supplied by the Palm. They'll have to come up with a dish to serve to 24 patrons the next day... Although each protein had 2 chefs, this was not judged as a head-to-head competition. Winner will get their dish on the menu and their drawing placed on one of the walls of the restaurant.
Angelo and Ed complained they were at a disadvantage because they had lobster that they had to break down themselves, while the other proteins were already fileted, etc. Tiffany was excited to bring out her swordfish recipe, Alex was nervous about doing salmon because there's so many ways to cook it, Kenny wanted to redeem his lamb cooking skills after last week's performance, Kelly wanted to bump up the flavors in her dish and Andrea was not pleased in getting swordfish...etc. etc.
They're pushing a "show-mance" between the engaged Tiffany and Ed, which I just don't understand. I don't tune into Top Chef to see hook-ups, I just don't. Plus it seems like innocent flirting to me at the most.
They focused mainly on Alex, and his indecisive cooking style, and the "magical" appearance of a pea puree on his station, while "coincidentally" Ed was missing his pea puree... Although it seemed like everyone was gossiping about it, no confrontations were made.
They also focused some time on Kelly not sharing her salt with Amanda, which eventually came back to haunt her...
TOP 3
Alex - WINNER - Applewood Smoked Salmon with Black Forbidden Rice and English Pea Puree - The judges thought it was nicely balanced, but the stand-out was the pea puree. (Ed and Tiffany stayed quiet!)
Ed - Poached Lobster Ballotine with Eggplant and English Pea-Asparagus Fricassee - The judges really liked his lobster and eggplant, but thought he should have left out the peas.
Tiffany - Swordfish with Olive-Raisin Tapenade with Broccolini and Bacon - The judges loved the flavors together. Tiffany was worried she overcooked it, but the judges re-assured her there was plenty of moisture.
MIDDLERS
Amanda - New York and Filet Mignon, Red Wine with Pomme Parisienne and Arugula - she took a risk, taking the meat off the bone of a Porterhouse steak and it sent her to safety.
Angelo - Poached Lobster with Lobster Froth and Jicama, Arugula and Asian Pear Salad - the foam didn't go over well with the tables, and they thought his lobster was too chewy (good thing he had Immunity, right?!)
Kenny - Peppered Lamb with Fig-Pistachio Bread Pudding, Fig Jam and Vanilla-Morel Demi-Glaze - not much said about this dish that I remember...
Stephen - Salmon with Warmed Vegetable Salad and Worcestershire Vinaigrette
BOTTOM 3
Kevin - Double-Cut Chops with Olive and Goat Cheese Rissole, Mache and Tomato Concasse - the spice was overpowering and the lack of finesse was noted (the bones weren't cleaned properly)
Kelly - Porterhouse with Crispy Potato-Arugula Salad and Roasted Shallot Demi-Glaze - the judges understood what she was going for, but she oversalted the dish which ruined it (she broke down in the waiting room, mad that she overseasoned and got caught up in the "game")
Andrea - ELIMINATED - Swordfish with "Risotto-Style" Cous-Cous, Asparagus and Beurre Blanc - the judges thought the vanilla overpowered her dish and didn't pair well with the swordfish, plus the cous-cous was mushy.
Andrea said she didn't truly get to show what she can do, and that's kind of sad, but it's on to next week...
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