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« Hell's Kitchen
Episode Recap: The 20-Item Challenge
Tonight's episode began with both teams contemplating the effects of having one of the girls join the blue team. While the men were worried about how it would affect their chemistry (uh, what chemistry?), Corey went to work suggesting that Jen should defect because Corey wanted to "get her voice back" in the red kitchen. Jen had a few choice words for Cory in confessional, but when the time came, she did "volunteer" herself to join the blue team, calling the red chefs "safe," something she did not want to be.
Luckily, the next challenge was all about not being safe, and urged the chefs to show a little creativity. Each team had to prepare four dishes using 20 items provided by Chef Ramsay. None of the items could be used more than once, but every item had to be used in one of the dishes. The "20-Item Challenge" quickly became the "21-Item Challenge" as Matt (surprise, surprise) sliced off the tip of his thumb while slicing pancetta. He stepped out to see a medic (leaving his finger behind, apparently) and the women had to pick up his slack, which they did by communicating well. The blue team, however, was virtually silent, with several chefs using the same ingredient until it was pointed out to them. Jen and Lourouss butt heads over his dish, as she instructs him to make a surf-and-turf dish to include the 20th ingredient their team needs. However, when it comes time to plate it, he leaves the veal off of his plate, much to the chagrin of Jen, who then tells him to lie to Gordon and say the veal fat was rendered in his sauce.
The chefs served their respective dishes to Gordon in a head-to-head showdown. In the first matchup, Petrozza was complimented for his brave soufflé which Gordon said was perfect, but Chef Ramsay couldn't fault Christina's dish either, calling the first round a draw. "Nine-finger" Matt lost against Jen because he failed to remove the liver from his quail, giving the blue team a 2-1 advantage. Although Corey didn't use many items in her dish (which Gordon said was bland), Bobby's "horrendous" glaze dominated his plate, giving Corey the edge and once again tying the score. The competition then rested on the shoulders of Rosann and Louross. Although Gordon favored Louross' red snapper dish, Louross wouldn't lie, and confessed to not using the veal. (I personally applaud his honesty and responsibility, even though he suffered for it.) The red team then wins by default, earning a trip to an In Touch Weekly photo shoot with Ramsay while the blue team did laundry by hand. I can't believe Matt was in a photo shoot.
Obviously, Jen was upset about Louross' decision, and continuously hurled insults at him all day. While I understand her frustration, she did conceptualize a dish that Louross didn't want to make, and when it came time for judgment, she made it seem as if Louross had wanted to do a surf-and-turf but then changed his mind. She was again tooting her own horn for her "flawless dish," but let's not forget that aside from not following the rules, Gordon also liked Louross' food.
Although the red team seemed quite happy (happy, happy, happy, as Matt sang — ugh) following their win, Jen seemed committed to working with the blue team. Especially after Christina came out saying she was very glad to have Jen gone. It seemed that the flames Jen would be cooking with tonight were those of vengeance. Either way, each team needed to bring their "A" game as they were cooking for food critics, who ordered the exact same dishes from each kitchen.
As Corey took the lead in the red kitchen, Jen tried to lead the boys in blue. The first showdown was between the two kitchens' appetizers, with Corey's risotto and Louross' scallops being well-received. But then things started to go the way of most services on this season of Hell's Kitchen: way, way down. It began with Matt being unable to portion equal cuts of beef. More beef problems continued in the blue kitchen as Petrozza (despite Jen's warning) cut his beef before Louross' salmon was ready to be served, risking it becoming dried out. For their mistakes, Gordon called Matt (who was riding high off of last week's compliments) "Mr. Inconsistent" while he told Petrozza he deserved to lose.
But things really got icky for the red team when Christina served a dry piece of salmon and failed to show any ability to multi-task. Rosann also was behind in providing garnishes, and had failed to make enough carrot puree, causing Gordon to bang his head against the wall (again) and answer Rosann's pleas of "I'm sorry," with his own, "I'm sorry you here." He also said having Rosann in the kitchen makes him nervous. Ouch. But it was another blunder by Matt (who first tried to serve raw beef and then massively overcooked filets) that sent Gordon over the edge, throwing the entire team out of the kitchen. The blue team then completed both kitchens' orders leading to their victory. The critics called the red team a disaster that was "sloppy and lacked passion and flavor." (I loved Jen's maniacal outburst and laughing fit in the confessional!)
Corey was chosen as the best of the worst, and after hearing all her teammates make their arguments (which she said she was sick of) she nominated Matt and Rosann, who she never wanted to be in the kitchen with again. While Gordon agreed, he also called Christina out on her shoddy service, bringing those three forward for possible elimination. After hearing their explanations, Gordon sends Rosann (a consistent screw-up in the kitchen) back in line. Huh? Could it be true that the "writing is on the wall" for Matt, who might have lost more than a fingertip this week? Unfortunately, no, as Gordon sends Rosann packing anyway. Very sneaky, Mr. Ramsay. Gordon gave a warning to Christina and again cautioned Matt that he was on "borrowed time," urging all the red-team chefs that with only three of them left, there is no room for error. But really, should there have ever really been room?
So what do you think of tonight's elimination? And where did Matt's finger end up? Why was Bobby so quiet tonight? What do you think is the big elimination shocker being teased in the post-show promo for next week's "Menu vs. Menu" episode? Share your thoughts and check back next week for more!
Check out our interview with Gordon Ramsay to see what he has to say about this season's level of talent!
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May 20, 2008 11:25 PM
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The funniest thing about the episode was actually the promo for it during American Idol. The editing made it feel like Matt served the finger to the critic. Tricksy advertizing.
I don't know how they fix Hell's Kitchen. I really don't. But they do. somehow. The instant rise of the Blue Team is completely unexplainable.
But what could be the elimination shocker? I bet he fires three people. That's the only thing he hasn't done.
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May 21, 2008 12:17 AM
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I look forward to each week's episode but it's sad to say that it's only because I can't wait to see what disaster will happen next. Ugh, I know accidents often happen in kitchens but the thought of Matt's fingertip ending up in one of the dishes made me feel sick! I've watched every season of HK and this season's cooks are the worst. So far I haven't seen anyone worthy of being called a chef and deserving of a restaurant of their own.
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May 21, 2008 12:26 AM
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Once Matt, Bobby and Mr. Criesalot Mohawk are gone, I will be happy.
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May 21, 2008 3:42 AM
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Im happy about tonights elimination. Its been along time coming for Roseanna. Where do I think Matt's finger ended.......in that dish he was cooking. Probably the same dish that Ramsey ate. Who knows why Bobby was so quite. He probably missis his partner in crime Ben. I also thought it was funny about the promos. However it would of made great tv if the finger did ended up in the critics plate. And as for the last question....I have no clue what Ramsey is going to do. For next week's elimination.
I still say that none of these cooks deserves to win. I still don't like Corey. Matt is to weird looking and and the same goes for Bobby. Also for Matt, he hasn't come up with any good dishes. I still can't get over the fact that he served raw cavier and scallops and thought it was his signature dish. Jen needs her ego checked. Kristen, and Lourass I don't know about them 2 just yet. So I think Im going to route for Pet. He is the only one who hasn't gotten on my nerves just yet.
I also laughed at Jen's maniacal outburst and laughing fit in the confessional! You knew she was loving that.
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May 21, 2008 7:00 AM
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Definitely a bunch of goofs on this show - someone will have to win but there is absolutely no way in "hell" that he/she will be running his new kitchen!! They will probably be a prep cook making $250K. I'm sure Matt was the very last person Ramsey wanted in the photo shoot - he was trying to figure out how to cover him up - that Matt is one very weird dude!!! Is he married? Can you imagine??? LOL I guess I like the culinary student or Petrozza (sp) at the moment.
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May 21, 2008 8:30 AM
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I would have stopped everything until Matt's fingertip was found. It had to go somewhere! There was something in that pan that looked like fingertip to me. Yuck!
I don't understand why Louross let Jen say that he came up with the surf and turf, and didn't correct her that it wasn't his idea. Jen is an insufferable B*tch when she's angry, and she's dishonest. But I still think she's more capable of running a kitchen than anybody else.
Matt's sour looking mug in a magazine? As if we need that to be in print. Good grief.
Some parts of this show are so obviously scripted it's annoying, but I still find it entertaining.
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May 21, 2008 9:07 AM
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Poor Matt with his finger and all but I could not tell if it really hurt. That man uses the same face for joy, sadness, pleasure and pain. I never could stand Jen. She is not a leader but a maniacal controller that only has the ability to over talk you with yelling.
Also, is it just me or is there an over abundance of crybabies on all reality shows. AI, Survivor, BB, etc... It is freaking annoying. If you applied to be on the show than i would think that you have watched before. You know what will happen so you need to man and woman up!!!! If you disagree with me than go cry in a corner. Rosann needed to go. Also i believe that the big surprise is eliminating an entire team. Only reason I think this is because it is menu vs. menu. Tell me what yall think.
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May 21, 2008 9:30 AM
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I agree, Louross should have stood up and said something. Jen is an insufferable b*tch. I really can't stand her.. if this is how she treats her co-contestants, how does she treat people who work for her I wonder?
The editing trick has been done before where out of nowhere the losing team is suddenly victorious. :p
Bobby just looks dumb. Matt is whiny and irritating. I am glad Rosann is gone, she has bugged me since day one.
I wonder what will happen next week, is he bring someone back? Or elimanating 2 people??
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May 21, 2008 12:19 PM
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Matt looks like Sam the Eagle from the Muppets with Mel Sharples' (from Alice)personality. Bobby is just laying low. Jen is a loud mouth. I went to eat at London in NYC and there is no way any of these food service folks (they are not chefs or even cooks!) could handle the level of service and quality Gordon expects.
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May 21, 2008 1:10 PM
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Thanks for the recap!!! I missed last night's show.
I don't like Jen, Matt and Bobby. All 3 can go.
I don't see a winner in this bunch. They are all okay cooks and I wouldn't eat in their restaurant (especially Matt's).
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May 21, 2008 1:52 PM
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Yes Matt is married.
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May 21, 2008 1:59 PM
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OMG hgbt01 that was so funny but you're right he does have the same expression look on his face all the time. People thought Adam from BB9 had a weird facial expressions(I'll give him a pass cause he was in an accident), but this guy......give me a break. And ur right about the crybabies on reality Reality shows. I had my limit of them since Wamber from BB8. Then everytime Ricki from Project Runway started crying for no reasn, I wanted to hurl. I can't take it anymore.
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May 21, 2008 2:06 PM
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I can't see any of these contestants running a restraunt for GR either - ugh! I've tried, but this is the most unlikeable group - I can't find ANYONE to root for. I was leaning toward Jen -until last night and the way she was just sulking and berating Louross over that challenge. I don't, however, blame her for being angry with Corey, Christina, and Rosann - I can't stand ANY of those girls either. The only one remotely likeable may be Louross.
As for what happens next week, GR may be so disgusted with the whole bunch that he gets rid of all of them at the same time. After reading the interview with him, I get the impression that he doesn't care too much for this year's group.
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May 21, 2008 2:09 PM
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I admire Louross for his integrity. I think if Chef knew the whole story, he would have commended Louross for not a)messing with his creation and b)lying about it to win a challenge. The Blue Team might still have lost, but Louross would have left a positive impression.
I also suspect that he's going to eliminate an entire team next week. But what about this for an idea. "I don't think any of you can run my restaurant. So, I am bringing back Julia from last season, and training her to do it!"
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May 21, 2008 3:25 PM
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