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« Hell's Kitchen
Episode Recap: Blindfold Taste Test
Even though tonight's show was touted as a "Ben vs. Matt" showdown (which we pretty much got), both teams took some serious steps backward. In addition to again failing to complete a dinner service, this group of cooks (I find it hard to refer to them as chefs anymore) proved once more just how inferior they are to the competitors in previous seasons.
The tone for the showdown was set from the opening minutes as Matt and Ben had words following the previous night's elimination. Matt was eager to prove that the men's team wasn't weak just because he was on their team, and to make sure Ben no longer had an easy scapegoat. Ben, on the other hand, simply insulted Matt and made fun of the women's team for not knowing what they had coming, a sentiment echoed by Corey who complained of the move being unfair.
Tonight's first challenge was taste test that began with Gordon serving three dishes that didn't contain any meat. Despite Ben's "awesome pallet," none of the chefs were able to detect that the proteins were meat subsitutes. Though Matt did say after the fact that the texture was "like eating a cat…not that I've ever eaten cat before." Um, sure.
After this poor showing, the chefs squared off to see which team could name the most ingredients/dishes served to them while blindfolded. On the shoulders of Rosann and Christina, the ladies earned a 5-1 lead, building up to Matt and Ben's first matchup. They were each served clam chowder and charged with the task of naming the 10 ingredients they tasted. Ben was stronger than anyone else on his team, but had some ground to make up. Despite getting all of his correct, he could not overcome the lead, as Matt was also correctly naming ingredients on his turn. In the end, the ladies (and Matt) took yet another victory, earning a day at the spa while the men scrubbed the toilets and cleaned the dorm. (Awesome Gordon Moment: "I can't call it the women's team anymore can I Matt? Unless you [referring to Matt's chest] lift them up a bit." Priceless.)
Although Ben thought Jen "needs to fix that weave" during her day at the spa, he ended up being the one to serve the red team iced tea during their time of relaxation. Bobby, of course, was sad that he missed out on "a therapeutic rub kind of thing," but from the looks of Matt's ugly black toe nail, the bathrooms may have been the less disgusting place to be for the day. I also loved how Matt considered himself a metrosexual by getting an eyebrow wax (not that he couldn't use it) and chocolate mask.
Once the flames were lit in the kitchen, everything was downhill. Gordon had a little piece of everyone tonight, except for Christina and (surprise, surprise) Matt. Gordon told him he made the best risotto ever served in Hell's Kitchen (which Matt quickly inflated to "best risotto he's ever had in his life," a compliment he thanked everyone in his life for helping him to achieve), and also complimented Louross's salads and Christina's beef.
However, Gordon did have problems with Rosann and her continuously undercooked fish and scallops, Ben's laid back approach and undercooked beef, Bobby's lack of communication with other members, Jen's "cocky" attitude and Petrozza's messy work station. To be fair, I did sympathize with Jen for being frustrated with Gordon's perceived double standards, but you can’t clam up like that. If nothing else, it just makes it more obvious that you can't handle pressure, which Gordon seized on again and again, telling her that "he couldn't even give her direction" because she had given up. And even though Jen had a tray of her food dumped because of bad communication and "risotto king" Matt got scallops thrown at him, Ben got the worst of Gordon's anger. He was furious with Ben's "limp excuses" and said he sounded like a case for Dr. Phil. Though Ben's beef was way less than well done as requested, I still find believe Gordon should have been able to catch that before it left the kitchen. But the boss makes the rules!
Gordon finally shut down the service, calling the chefs' work overconfident, lazy, slow and pathetic. He did, however, name Matt the best chef of the night, making his move to the red team a seemingly wise choice. (Matt said he would be humble about his compliment — he didn't sound very humble earlier in the night….)The men were named the losers, and each team member had to nominate a competitor to go on the chopping block. Ben, to perhaps save himself, suggested everyone nominate themselves and let Gordon decide. But Louross, who had a strong night, refused to nominate himself and nominated Ben when the time came. Ben, likewise nominated Louross, and Bobby nominated Petrozza, expecting him to name Bobby as the final nominee. When Petrozza nominated himself "for not being a star" he earned Gordon's compliments for his maturity, graciousness and for being a gentleman (which brought tears to his Petrozza's eyes in confessional).
Ultimately, Gordon sent Ben out of Hell's Kitchen, with remarkably little fan fare. I still believe Gordon wanted Ben to step up, but after a few weeks of poor performance, he had to cut him loose. With Ben gone, the teams are now uneven, so next week, a woman will be sent over to the men's team. Will she shine the way Matt did after his swap?
What do you think about Ben being sent home? Were you shocked at how Matt stepped up? Which girl do you think will join the men next week? Now that Jen (who seemed to be the strongest) had a breakdown, is there any cook you think stands above the rest? Share your thoughts and comments and check back next week for more (including a severed finger!!!!)
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May 13, 2008 11:04 PM
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Watch Rosann get moved to the men's team and trash that side more completely. That men's team is simply dreadful and Rosann would just cap it off.
Jen really hit a nerve with Gordon when she said at the one elimination "I control my destiny." I think that has put her in the doghouse and she'll get lots of undesired attention the next few weeks.
Matt is one whiny little child. I'm sorry, your first impression was still the entree that got lost in Gordon's vomit. By and large, you have been terrible. You had one good week and you think you're good? Hogwash. You have no chance of winning this.
I still can't find a favorite for this competition although I'm thinking Christine. She seems awfully young to be an executive chef though so we'll see.
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May 13, 2008 11:26 PM
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My DVR decided to be dumb and said it was 100% full, when it was only 15% full. So, by the time I got home, I had missed the first half of the episode.
At the end of the day, Matt was vindicated as he had been saying all along that the men/blue team didn't communicate. And what was Ramsay's biggest issue with them tonight? Oh yeah, no communication! Also, Matt won "chef/cook of the night," and got a HUGE compliment while the blue team got shot to Hell by Gordo. Ben deserved to go for his failings, but I still think he's better than Petroza. I still HIGHLY DOUBT that Ramsay will give ANY of these "cooks" his new restaurant.
In terms of one of the women going to the blue team, I think Rosann would most benefit from it. If you watch the preview for next week, the one who gets sent over is spoiled. I'll spoil it below for those who want to know. I'll leave spoiler space before and after to hopefully avoid any spoiling...I notice too many putting it at the end of their posts, and it's clearly seen when reading the post below it.
***Spoiler Space***
***Spoiler Space***
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***Spoiler Space***
Jen goes to the blue team.
***Spoiler Space***
***Spoiler Space***
***Spoiler Space***
***Spoiler Space***
Spoiler for next week above, so scroll up to see it.
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May 14, 2008 12:01 AM
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Hey everyone check out my new blog for my thoughts on tonight's episode. Just search for mel31602's blog (creative title, I know) in community blogs.
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May 14, 2008 12:30 AM
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Darcylte, my DVR does that sometimes as well. You gotta call your cable company to figure out what is going on. I don't know why it does that.
Anyway, I don't think none of these jokers deserves to win. Matt may of stepped up but he is still funny looking(that blk toe yuck). But the funniest part of the night was when he was thanking everybody in his whole life to get him this far....they had background music to make it like it was the Oscars or something. Oh yeah, I still think he had cat before. Why else would you say something like that?
Did anyone notice during the first few minutes of the show Corey was hugging up on Louross?
I don't think next week we will see one of the girl cooks going over with the guys. Since the previews have been all out of whack, I think we will see that person who is coming back to Hell's Kitchen like they talked about 2 weeks ago.
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May 14, 2008 2:06 AM
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WOW! What a difference a week makes. This episode completely changed who I am rooting for.
I was rooting for Ben but by the end of this episode, even I wanted him to leave! And now I am glad he did.
And previously, I was cold towards Petrozza and Christina... now I think they are my top two favorites!
Funny how things can change so quickly.
Man oh man... Matt is such a dink!
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May 14, 2008 3:27 AM
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Real quick. I liked Ben till this episode and then he came of as a know it all A**. Matty is funny looking but it is did come to the light that with Matt gone Ben was done. He had nobody to blame and so he just picks someone and says they are weak. It is like poker, if you look around the table and cannot pick out the real sucker than guess what, you are him. I would pull for Petrozza except that he wanted to quit once and he cries a lot. Corey right now is playing under radar and Jen is cocky. Also I do believe, based on preview, that Jen goes. If you look carefully you see either her or her body double in a blue uniform.
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May 14, 2008 10:22 AM
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Great recap Adam! I actually agree 100%!
I tell you what I think about Matt. i think Matt got lucky! I'm fully expecting him to screw up royally in the near future.
Darclyte what a cute post! Thanks for the spoiler, I'm a person who likes to know! However, I too am wondering if maybe we will finally see the "return" of the mystery chef next week.
This is a strange season, I have to totally agree that none of these "cooks" have any great potential. Sure hope somebody steps up and demonstrates themselves as a leader and great chef, because right now, I'm almost thinking they ought to oust them all and start over!
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May 14, 2008 10:31 AM
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I am almost over this show even though I've always liked it. There is no one that can cook for crying out loud and no one who is a compelling personality. I so hope Julia comes back!
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May 14, 2008 10:57 AM
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I was so glad to see Ben go - he was just flat-out mean spirited last night. That comment about Jen's weave was totally unnecessary, and I just couldn't stand it anymore. Matt's face takes on a whole different look when he's laughing and smiling and not scowling. I think Louross is pretty funny - there's just something about him and that mohawk that makes him more likeable than the others. At this point, I can't pick someone who stands out as the person who can win this thing - this is why I'm hoping that Julia does come back. Maybe then will everyone step up their effort and someone will emerge as a competent chef.
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May 14, 2008 11:49 AM
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This is my first season watching Hell's Kitchen, so don't have past history to rely on. But I have seen similar in concept shows over on the Food Network and I really have to comment on what appears to me to be very poor quality of the contestants. There isn't a one of them I would rank higher than short order cook, adequate perhaps to work a station in the kitchen under supervision, but in charge of a gourmet restaurant, hah.
At least one of them should own that kitchen by now. Instead it seems the quality of food sent out is hit or miss, more a matter of luck than skill. I could see conflicts of personality or differences in technique, but poorly prepared food at this level is just unacceptible.
How do they get all those diners to come in and act as guinea pigs anyway? An overdone steak is just annoying, but raw chicken, there are laws against that!
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May 14, 2008 11:51 AM
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Hi Uncle Lar:
I had read somewhere that the diners in Hell's Kitchen are actually extras (actors). They have an opportunity to dress up, appear on TV, get free wine and hopefully a free meal and dessert.
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May 14, 2008 12:11 PM
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I really liked Ben and I am sad to see him go down like that. Althoguh I will say (from watching the previous seasons) when he delivered the ice tea, he was pretty good about it.
Matt is whiny and obnoxious, I hope he goes soon. I really hope Jenn pulls her head out of her butt as well. SHe drives me crazy.
I sincerely hope that someone does a 180 and becomes the chef that will takeover the restaurant. Or else Ramsey will be screwed when it opens!
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May 14, 2008 12:51 PM
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A few posters have mentioned Julia and I have to wonder if she's the one we saw in the previews for next week. Some have suggested it was Jen, but it wasn't a good shot so we might have been guessing Jen because we saw a black woman in a blue jacket.
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May 14, 2008 1:04 PM
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to all those who are still hoping that Julia or someone is coming back (me included) - i don't think it's happening. I think the preview a few weeks ago was actually referring to the sweet sixteen and her mother judging that challenge. i deleted the episode so i can't rewatch the preview, but since there has been no further reference to it, i don't think that there is that type of twist coming...
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May 15, 2008 9:53 AM
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