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Episode Recap: Wedding Wars
Speed and stamina were two ingredients the eight remaining chef-testants needed to stay in the competition this week. Dividing into two teams of four and with immunity no longer offered in the Quickfire Challenge the relay race was on.
Though swiftness was needed for the QFC, it was apparent where the ultimate strength was going to lie by the way the teams were divided. With hands shaking, Lisa gained a lead over Antonia sectioning oranges but that was lost when Spike broke the stem of his artichoke and was victim of Andrew and his secret weapon—the peeler. Richard and Dale were evenly matched filleting a monkfish but Stephanie whipped into the lead over Nikki when making mayonnaise from scratch.
If I were getting married I'm not sure I'd be game to have a menu created and prepared the day before the wedding. But that's exactly what the happy couple Corey and JP agreed to for their 250 guests.
The benefit of winning the QFC was being allowed to choose a menu for either the bride or the groom. Smiling Richard makes a wise decision and convinces his team to take what is considered to be the more difficult task of cooking for the bride. Spike doesn't get it and questions why Richard would pick working for the person who is perceived to be the more nervous on their special day. This is just one instance in an episode that is full of contrasts.
The Bride's team worked well together and pulled out a victory. Richard inserts himself as leader of his team and isn't above poking fun at himself for wearing pink shoes and picking out the floral decorations. Stephanie steps up to the plate and takes on the unenviable task of making a multi-layered wedding cake. (She also had the foresight to assemble the cake at the location to avoid any last minute mishaps.) Antonia plugs along even when she looks as if she's asleep when stirring a pot.
Andrew was pumped, psyching himself to work all night and verbalizing his culinary excitement. The portion of the Bride's team that appears to not go smoothly is Andrew resenting Richard's "driving the bus". And though it sounded good, his Almond and Basil Crusted Chicken wasn't very crispy and was considered a repeat of last week's challenge with the kids. The judge's didn't like the dissonance of Andrew's creamed spinach but Richard took responsibility for adding star anise.
Bonus points go to Richard who ended up splitting the winning $2000 Crate & Barrel gift card with Stephanie for taking on the cake.
Even before the eventual lack of sleep set in during the 14+-hour cookathon, the Groom's team was unfocused. Since Italian food is Nikki's specialty and was what the groom requested, she had the opportunity to build on last week's good showing and prove that she could be a top chef. But she wanted no part of it and the team suffered from lack of direction. Nikki didn't even follow her opening comments about the need to fight harder at this point in the game. Her lack of leadership coupled with a dry Butternut Squash Tortellini with Brown Butter and Sage that was too sweet sent her packing.
Gail Simmons said the Groom's team had too many items that were uninspired. Though the team pointed fingers at Dale for doing a half-baked job his hustling wasn’t appreciated by them or the judges. By taking on too many duties Dale stretched himself too thin, didn't excel at one dish and was perceived not to be a team player. Spike took advantage of this and though he made a successful Chilean sea bass he didn't carry his weight. Spike's antagonistic ways and Dale's temper will most likely prove to be their downfall.
Lisa was wise to be quiet at the Judges' Table, and caused no problems working solo on a flavorful but what Tom Colicchio called an "ugly" chocolate hazelnut cake. I would like to have heard more about both cakes from guest judge and executive pastry chef of Chicago's Tru restaurant, Gale Gand.
Second Bites
• Did Lisa and Stephanie get any assistance with the cake recipes or did they create them from scratch?
• Does Spike like his cocktails a little too much? In one of the opening scenes, Andrew is talking to Spike who is in bed and has a nightstand full of champagne and wine bottles. Are these empties or is that actually a mini-bar? He's also pouring himself a glass of wine in the stew room…
• Text Poll: Which chef annoys you the most? Dale was the winner with 46%, Lisa a close second with 39% and Spike had 15%. How would you have voted?
For more tasty treats about Top Chef, dig into our Online Video Guide.
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May 8, 2008 3:02 AM
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First! Great ep. Loved seeing Dale cause problems, hope he stays, provided some muc needed drama and spark in the competition. Dale punched the lockers and said cursed out loud! Crazy stuff. Loved the contestants' reactions to that moment too. "Dale punched the lockers...and then he changed his diapers." Hilarious!
Could see Richard's team winning a mile way. I think he actually just gave that $2000 Crate and Barrel gift to Stephanie who deserved it for that beautiful cake. Not an easy job.
Was afraid that my fave underdog Dale would be out of the competition. But was glad when Nikki got the boot, especially after her denial of any responsibility and leadership in this challenge. Awkward moment in the judging when she outright denied executive chef role. Should have been a moment she grasped to shine, instead of weaseling out of. Glad the judges saw through it and booted her. She deserved it.
Dale though is getting pounded on left and right. Spike and him are gonna go at it. Makes for great television. Want to see Dale go all the way to end up in the final against Richard! Go DALE!
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May 8, 2008 4:59 AM
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Nikki should have been gone looong ago. She never won anything and seemed to be in the bottom often and everytime she made "her signature dish" or something that was "Italian" she seemed to mess it up and then try to not take the blame. I'm sure if they sang praise for her food (fat chance) she would have accepted the kudos.
I also wonder about the cakes that were made. They're chefs, not bakers, and it's a whole different skill set.
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May 8, 2008 6:59 AM
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Stephanie had a cake recipe that she was looking at in her notebook. She had mentioned a challenge in the first season so she might have come into Top Chef prepared with a notebook full of recipes that might come in handy including some for pastries and cakes.
Spike always has a bottle of what appears to be beer in his hand when they show the "stew room" during judging. I've noticed it almost every week. I was surprised to see him pouring a glass of wine last night. They must have been out of beer.
Richard gave Stephanie the Crate and Barrel card and she said she would split it with him.
Looks like an explosive episode next week.
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May 8, 2008 7:22 AM
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Entertaining episode. I admire the bridal couple's nerves to allow a reality show to take over their reception but presumably it means that they got free food, which can certainly give the wedding budget a major boost.
When are these contestants going to learn that you really have to be careful with serving anything associated with bread when there is a delay? I can't believe that Andrew made the breaded chicken after what has happened with previous experiences. Two other contestants have been kicked off for similar mistakes. I am not a professional but even I know that breaded food has to be served ASAP! He was very lucky to be on such a strong team.
I thought Dale's behavior beyond unprofessional and immature. Adults should NOT be behaving like that. He may have some talent but I would hate to work with him although I find Lisa and Spike to be as annoying. To be fair, however, Lisa did not come across as badly in this epi.
I was wondering about the cake recipes as well. I was under the impression that you could not bring recipes to the competition but I know that confectioners' sugar would be needed for the frosting and the boxes always have recipes. I have actually prepared and decorated a four-layer cake so I know the work involved and salute Lisa and Stephanie for pulling off that task. When I heard about the challenge I thought to myself, "I hope that the chef responsible for the wedding cake has the good sense to use flowers as the decoration!"
I am still pulling for Richard, Stephanie, and Antonia to be the final three.
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May 8, 2008 8:26 AM
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Those teams may have been the most lopsided in reality television history. The bride's team had 3 out of four chefs that could legitimately win the competition; Richard (who I think is the favorite to win now), Stephanie, and Antonia. The groom's team had Dale so the outcome was inevitable.
Glad Nikki got kicked off.
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May 8, 2008 10:02 AM
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SO glad it wasn't Dale that left. I felt sorry for him being on that team! I saw a losing team from the very beginning. Although, generally I like Spike. I don't like Nikki and felt it was a good choice finally!!!
I think that most of the temper display had to be from being awake for SO long. It is insane to expect them to put together a menu, and have it ready after working all night! Serious mistakes could have happened!! I love restaurant wars and missed that this season!!
KUDOS to the cake bakers. I would cry if someone who wasn't a pastry chef was making MY wedding cake!!
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May 8, 2008 10:15 AM
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Thank god Hat Gut and Andrew were on different teams this time. They are two tastes that go gross together.
Loved watching the top three work together (Richard, Antonia and Stephanie). Now we're just killing time until the next four go.
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May 8, 2008 10:24 AM
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Wow - I love these endurance challenges. It made for great TV, and for a great elimination debate! This challenge was very one-sided and when given the chance to step-up, Nikki chose to check-out. After the long day, her attitude about NOT BEING IN CHARGE is what sent her home.
It seems to me that the editors have really done quite a make-over on Lisa. No way do I believe that she has quit the profanity or the bad attitude. I just think that she is being edited in a favorable way.
I didn't start out liking Richard, but I really enjoy him now. Stephanie is another favorite, but her being in the top or the bottom does have me worried.
I loved the poll last night. I guess it is obvious to everyone that Dale, Lisa and Spike are easily the most annoying of the bunch!
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May 8, 2008 10:53 AM
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I actually like Dale and felt kinda bad for him last night. he did spread himself too thin but it seemed like he had to.
I'm glad Nikki is gone. her food seemed even less appealing than her personality. and did anyone else notice how much SHE was swearing last night? after her little tirade a few weeks ago about how cursing is unnecessary, her true colors showed.
I like Andrew but he needs to learn to take advice; I can guarantee you that if he had used (as Richard suggested) egg whites to bread the chicken instead of whole eggs that it would have stayed crispy longer. that and using a flour/cornmeal mix instead of panko (bread crumbs). my fried chicken is crispy the next day, even after sitting in the fridge all night and that's my secret. well, half of my secret.
I was impressed with the cakes, even the ugly one. it was super smart of Stephanie to use fondant instead of trying to decorate with "real" frosting like buttercream or royal icing. much smoother, if less tasty. think of fondant as essentially a giant chunk of colorless Tootsie Roll (that you buy pre-made)that you can roll out and wrap around the cake (you can also add coloring to it). you need a little frosting to hold it in place, but it takes the pressure off in terms of piping and decorating with frosting.
also impressed with Richard; how classy is he to give Stephanie the prize for the challenge? he moved way up in my estimation last night.
who's the most annoying? Hat Guy takes the cake in my book. Lisa a close 2nd. and I think they all do their share of drinking, not just Hat Guy.
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May 8, 2008 1:40 PM
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Very happy Nikki is gone. Her elimination has been long overdue.
That team complained about Dale but in my opinion they were no better. It did seem like he had no choice but to complete all those dishes. His mistake was not taking charge since Nikki obviously was trying hard not too and then delegating some his duties. It was a bit ridiculous to hear them complain about him having his hands in too many pots but turn around and not take over some of the dishes he was making. Spike did eventually take the fish but what was he doing before then?
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May 8, 2008 3:06 PM
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I saw the judging for this episode and the quickfire challenge before I fell asleep! But what I did see made me go back to not liking Dale! He had really grown on me this season until last night. Now in all fairness all I saw was him throwing a fit at the quick fire and then throwing another fit at the judging table. I did record it so maybe when I see the full episode I will have a different take on him.
I really thought that Lisa would go home when they first came in the room for judging based on her facial expression. She looked like she was ready to fight someone! But as soon as Dale/Nikki/Spike started in on their little tirades I knew Lisa was going to be safe!
I laughed at the judges' faces when Nikki started in on how she was not to blame for the whole thing because she wasn't in charge of it all. I knew she was headed home.
Kudos to Stephanie (my favorite) for doing the wedding cake. You could hear Gale's admiration when she said that she usually takes 3 days to make a wedding cake! Thank goodness there were no egg shells this time!
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May 8, 2008 4:02 PM
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I don't know about the rest of you, but I do not want to eat at Andrew's restaurant. That statement about culinary booner......turned me really off from him.
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May 8, 2008 4:04 PM
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oh my gosh lizzybelle, I thought that was so funny! but to each his own 
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May 8, 2008 4:42 PM
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I like Dale, too, and I wish (as I'm sure he does) that he had been on Richard's team. They work great together. Still, Dale could have handled the whole situation a lot better.
I don't like any of Dale's teammates, but Nikki's departure has been an embarrassingly long time coming. Even if she hadn't turned tail and run from her best opportunity to shine, the fact is, she didn't make anything the judges liked! Whatever failures the other three had, at least each of them made something that passed muster.
I think Richard is still the front runner -- and he's my favorite as well  He's been the most consistent cheftestant -- talented, a good leader, and he works well with others. However, Stephanie and Antonia are strong contenders, and it would be great to see a woman finally win the title.
Any speculation on who next week's guest is? I'm wondering if it's Sam!
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May 8, 2008 11:27 PM
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