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Episode Recap: Serve and Protect
Regarding this episode's food as well as the character and integrity of the chefs, substance is what was needed but was hard to find. Beginning with something on the lighter side, the Quickfire Challenge required creating a modern "sexy" salad.
Bringing sexy back didn't only refer to creating a salad for the QFC but also to guest judge and Season 2 fan favorite Sam Talbot. Though he seemed to have little to say, Sam was a good choice to judge tonight's challenges because his food was always clean and fresh, which possibly could have something to due with the fact that he's diabetic.
Pointing out that the chefs had little sleep from last week's 40-hour Wedding Wars challenge, Richard served up a lackluster "Fresh and Clean" salad with ceviche fruit and vegetables that needed some acidity. Andrew's Thai Fruit Salad that contained mangoes, strawberries and raspberries with sriracha sauce looked appealing but wasn't cited.
Winning his first challenge was Hat Guy Spike (who was also seen sporting a bandana and a skull cap) with a "well-balanced" Sensual Beef Salad consisting of pineapple, radish, cucumber and skirt steak. With immunity no longer offered, Spike was given an advantage in the Elimination Challenge that he happily used to his benefit. The chefs were to create a gourmet and healthy boxed lunch for the Chicago Police Department that was to be low in carbohydrates, sugar and fat, and included a whole grain, a lean protein, fruit and a vegetable. Spike was able to start shopping 10 minutes earlier than the rest plus select an item from each food group that no one else could use.
I'm aware that this is a competition but I don't think Spike's attitude is a winning one. Not only he but also Lisa and Andrew proved to be a big mess at the Judges' Table and should be arrested for conduct unbecoming of a chef. Selecting chicken, bread, potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes as his exclusive items, it seemed as if Spike chose them more to put others at a disadvantage rather than to excel. In the end it didn't help. Padma called his Chicken Salad with Pita and Raw Vegetables "pedestrian" and Chef Tom Colicchio didn't like the sweet and salty integration of the grapes and olives. It was mentioned that he used mayonnaise but not whether it was low fat. Spike also presented only two meals at a time in order to entice the policemen to eat his dish though the challenge was ultimately left up to the judges.
Lisa decided to put together a Shrimp Stir-Fry with Brown Rice, Berries and Yogurt that was microwaveable but ran into problems. Shrimp is a low-fat food but is high in cholesterol. (It didn't help that it was undercooked, which Ted Allen called "nasty".) The big problem was accusing others of sabotage. Lisa kept checking her brown rice as it cooked but suddenly discovered the heat was cranked up to high causing it to burn on the outside and remain uncooked on the inside. Stephanie commented that sabotage was unlikely but Dale disagreed. My feeling is that if someone had deliberately changed the stove setting one of the camera operators would have recorded it and shown it to us.
Offering a balance of humor and over-the-top craziness, Andrew started the episode saying he awoke with a fire in his belly and was either going to "stab somebody or make amazing food." He did neither. Police officers need healthy food that will fill their appetites and give them stamina but Andrew's Salmon Roll, though nutritious, was deemed too light and "messy". Admitting to not having his rule sheet, Andrew skipped using a whole grain and simulated rice by combining parsnips and pine nuts. This didn't go unnoticed by the judges but was pointed out to them nonetheless by Lisa who may have been seeking an advantage. The look Andrew gave Lisa in the stew room, to quote Antonia, was "freaking me out"! When asked to pack his knives and go, Andrew referenced a previous episode stating that no security was necessary to escort him out.
The winner's table was much less dramatic and was shown in half the time. The ever-pleasant Stephanie created a Mushroom Meatball Soup with Barley and Vegetable Purée that was well-seasoned and seemed to please everyone. Dale kept his temper in check and won the EC by again going Asian with a Lemongrass Wrap but using bison that has 50% less fat and cholesterol than beef. Perhaps the bottle of Rutherford Hill merlot he won will accompany it nicely.
Second Bites
• Do you think someone was sneaky enough to escape the camera lens and sabotage Lisa's brown rice?
• Most repeated line of the episode, by Richard: "Do you like burritos?"
• Fact learned from Andrew: wasabi helps decrease tooth decay. Did you know that?
• Seeing Sam Talbot brought back fond memories of Season 2: molecular gastronomist Marcel and his smack downs, Mia throwing Cliff under the bus at the Judges’ Table, Elia buzzing her head, Betty screaming at Marcel, Ilan screaming at Marcel…
• I love a good Salad Nicoise that traditionally consists of seared tuna filet, sliced potatoes, haricot verts, olives and hard-boiled eggs. What's your favorite salad and does it have sex appeal?
• Text Poll: Start sending in your votes for Fan Favorite to be announced at the reunion special the week after the season finale. It's a tough decision but I think I'm going with Stephanie. Any guesses as to whom will be crowned?
For more tasty treats about Top Chef, dig into our Online Video Guide.
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May 15, 2008 2:52 AM
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I was stunned by the unprofessional demeanor shown by the chefs on this week's bottom three.
The judges were right to say that Andrew had been incredibly arrogant in his comments during judging. What surprised me was the fact that they let it slide and didn't bring it up at all when they named the loser. Why didn't they say something? I don't understand.
Lisa doesn't know how to take criticism without getting incredibly angry. I agree that a sabotage would have been caught on tape. Plus, there were seven chefs in that kitchen. It is almost impossible that nobody would have said something if that were true. Would you risk your chance at winning by ruining somebody else's dish? That's plain dumb!
Finally, Spike. Maybe he used to watch Buffy, and he thinks he's as cool as the vampire of the same name. His attitude is so negative! I can't decide if he is masking deep insecurities or if he's just a complete jerk. The way he talked back to Chef Colicchio - WOW.
It's one thing to believe in yourself and quite another to disrespect a Chef who has TONS of experience and has received a good number of accolades. He needs to learn to SHUT UP and listen to constructive criticism. What an idiot!
Anyway, I agree that Dale needs to show that he can cook dishes that are not influenced by Asian cuisine. I don't see much versatility in his cooking.
Also, how cute is Stephanie? She and Antonia are my favorites this season.
As for salads...I once had a Pasta Primavera at a party that is the best I've ever tasted. I have never been able to find another one quite as good.
Maybe it's the memory of all the fun I had there, more than anything. Ha!
I do love me a great fruit salad during the Summer. Yum!
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May 15, 2008 3:43 AM
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Hooray! Andrew the Obnox is gone! Now if they can just dump Hat Guy, I'll be happy with all the rest.
Lisa had every right to point out that Andrew violated the rules. The judges should have pointed this out so she wouldn't have to. I saw nothing wrong and nothing dishonorable in her doing this.
Andrew tried to turn the tables on her but she didn't violate the rules by using shrimp (and you do need some cholesterol in your diet). He did.
And his excuse was so lame... "I lost my rule sheet" (aka "The dog at my homework"). I bet Stephanie or Antonia would have shared theirs with him! But he didn't care because he thinks he's god's gift to nutrition.
See ya later Andrew. Or better yet... not!
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May 15, 2008 4:13 AM
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P.S.
Still loving Stephanie and Antonia!
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May 15, 2008 4:15 AM
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Fan Favorite? Honestly, I feel like this group is so boring. We're this far into the season and, half the time, I can't even remember their names! There is no one to root for, no one with a really great story. They're just very "blah".
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May 15, 2008 6:08 AM
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Andrew did not bother me as much as seemed to bother half of the other people. Extremely hyper, but if I had to spend five minutes in a room with one of the bottom three I much rather it be Andrew.
I had the feeliing since last week that it would be Andrew going home. It seems like this season they are using foreshadowing along with the time honored focusing the episode on the person going home. I think next week Dale may be in the bottom 3 based on the Asain food only comment. For some reason I thought one of the other teams violated the challenge rules this season but got to stay. I think the real problem with with Andrew's dish was it didn't taste good. Everyone else did mutliple's. If he had a ood tasting main dish and had served it with a side dish that was feeling I think he would still be there despite the rules violation.
Did anyone else notice how Antonia seemed to keep her cool until Sam walked away during the QFC. I thought that was the sweetest thing over. I probably would have been on the floor the minute he approached my table.
Predictions for the final 3 or 4 barring any wackiness. Richard, Antonia, Dale?, and Spike or Lisa altough they both annoy me. I think Antonia or Richard will be in the final winner circle.
Can't wait till next week and the restuarant challenge. One more thing I think all Chef's are arrogant, and not exactly known for being humble. They pointed Andrew out but I thinkall of the bottom three were a bit snippy.
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May 15, 2008 7:01 AM
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Can I vote for Sam for fan favorite- holy hotness it was good to see him again!
I think I'll vote for Antonia. I like her attitude and I've made her stirfry from a couple weeks back twice since that show aired- my husband loves it!
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May 15, 2008 9:38 AM
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I found Lisa to be a little hypocritical yesterday as she was spouting about how Andrew needs to leave because he didn't follow the rules. She quickly forgot that during the Improv challenge she and Antonia decided together to use chorizo instead of polish sausage, which was assigned by the improv group. And unfortunately, Jen went home - but at least Jen and Stephanie used their required ingredients. So how does Andrew's situation differ? And if the judges got rid of Andrew for that reason (other than it was messy and not filling), then it's inconsistent judging, which has never happened on this show before. 
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May 15, 2008 9:43 AM
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Okay, I dont think Andrew should have gone home. I think Spike should have.
It was clear that he took the ingrediants to sabotage the others. Lisa is an angry L$%#$^ who hates men and isnt going to take any kind of critizim (?) and Dale, he cooks the same food every week. I thought a Chef is suppose to show how he can cook anything. Every week Hung, I mean Dale does the same dish. I hope he doesnt winn.. I want Stef to win. she has been doing great. Her or Antonia.
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May 15, 2008 10:02 AM
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Of the bottom three - Andrew was the last one I would have picked to go home! If he were a bit smarter, he would have played off of Spike and Lisa's tempers and let them implode at the judge's table!
I agree with almost everyone else that Antonia and Stephanie are my favorite two with Richard being a close third.
Next week's previews look pretty interesting. It looks like the chef's get thrown into a line-cook position, very similar to what goes on in Hell's Kitchen. The emotions shouwld fly!
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May 15, 2008 11:38 AM
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Whenever Dale works by himself, he's at the winner's table in the elimination challenge. Always.
I know a lot of folks don't like his churlishness, nor his fixture on Asian style cooking, but the guy is shining above the others right now.
Once Spike and Lisa get sent home, this will get a lot more interesting. I still think Richard is the favorite with Dale second.
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May 15, 2008 1:50 PM
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The only thing I wanted to hear was when Lisa was practically quoting the rule sheet, I wanted Tom to remind her that she violated the Rules when she specifically chose not to use the ingredient assigned to her by the Improv crowd. That was even more blatant, in my opinion. I cannot stand Lisa and her refusal to accept criticism. She must have gotten this far in life by pure intimidation. I want someone to put her in her place rather than be afraid to cross her. Her daring to say that Dale's personality is horrible is like the pot calling the kettle black. I much prefer Dale. At Judges' Table, all 3 of the loser chefs behaved shamefully. They made the chef profession look like a bunch of foul-mouthed, inarticulate, hotheads...and I know that is not the case...but they did not represent their profession or themselves well. I wish all 3 had been eliminated.
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May 15, 2008 2:25 PM
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The difference between Dale and Lisa is 2 fold. First Dale is just supremely arrogant, Lisa is a plain b***h. Second, and more importantly, Dale is an excellent chef, Lisa sucks.
She and Spike should be next to go which leave leave a good top 4 of Dale, Richard, Stephanie and Antonia.
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May 15, 2008 3:40 PM
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What a "hot mess" at judges' table! Too bad they couldn't have sent all 3 home last night. That would have left only Dale to send packing so that Richard, Stephanie and Antonia would be the final 3. I didn't think I was going to like Richard when the season began but he has really grown on me--he won me over completely last week with his giving the prize to Steph. I would be Ok with any of these 3 winning but I have to admit that it would be great to finally see a woman win.
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May 15, 2008 4:07 PM
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Oh yeah--it was great to see Sam again! How could I have forgotten to mention that?!
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May 15, 2008 4:08 PM
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