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« Hell's Kitchen
Episode Recap: Relay Race
Even a dip in the ocean tonight couldn't put out the fire that was Chef Ramsay. And of course, I loved every insulting, obscene moment of it!
Tonight's episode began with the blue team rallying around one another, continuing to discuss the problems they have with Jen. Bobby said she is a baby that "didn't impress me," andhe and Louross both agree that they are just going to let the cooking do the talking from now. I, for one, think that should have been the plan all along. Not that I believe this group's food has a whole lot to say. Matt, aware that he was on thin ice, or as Gordon put it, "borrowed time," apologized repeatedly for sucking. Hey, Matt — they're used to it by now!
The first challenge is a relay race which forces the team to communicate and plan as they have to prepare three dishes, but by cooking in separate shifts. They get 15 seconds to communicate between shift changes, and the team with the most impressive dishes win. The blue tem must pick a chef to sit out, and Jen basically talks her way into putting Louross on the sidelines — a move that surprised Chef Ramsay since Louross is pretty speedy in the kitchen. As for the competition, it seemed (at least by the editing) that the blue team had a better strategy. Plus Matt got the red team off to a bad start by poaching chicken but leaving it raw. Ultimately all three dishes were completed (for the most part) and presented to Chef Ramsay.
For the scallop dish, the red team was missing the salad and the blue team had a terribly overcooked egg. However, the blue team's raw scallops gave the edge to the red team, who took Round 1. Despite a lack of sauce on the second dish, the blue team still managed to tie it up as the red team had a thick sauce and a presentation that "looked like they dropped it" before serving. So it all came down to the chicken dish. The red team cooked the chicken well, but forgot a leek. The blue team's bird was cooked equally well, but they again forgot the sauce. It turns out that missing two sauces is unacceptable to Gordon, who gave the victory to the red team.
As a reward, the red team spent the day with Gordon at the beach, getting surfing lessons from legendary wave rider Zuma Jay. It wasn't a great reward still, but it was fun to see Gordon outside the kitchen, splashing in the surf and dunking JP as well. Meanwhile, the blue team was back in the kitchen playing the part of the maintenance crew, charged with cleaning the sign and the red carpet. The only thing more disgusting than that sign was probably the idea of Matt in a wetsuit. (Ok, maybe I'm being too hard on the guy. But come on! He did hit hi head on the sea floor while surfing? Can he do anything right?) While cleaning, Jen and Bobby have a few choice words with one another, as both of their egos don't like hearing what the other has to offer. This tension could make for a disastrous dinner service.
For dinner, the chefs are tasked with creating their own menus for that evening. The red team works together (which Matt is very happy about…a fact he repeats at least five times during the episode) while the chefs in blue continue to have their issues. Ultimately, the boys quit pitching ideas because Jen shoots them all down, and they each agree to "let her hang herself." When the chefs present their menu to Gordon, the red team impresses Gordon (it actually sounded pretty good!) while the blue teams sounded "hideous." Louross then calls Jen out, and Gordon asks them to reconfigure their menu, which Bobby said he had planned all along. Once they have satisfied Gordon, it's time for service to begin.
And now, let's pause for a brief moment to recognize the many names Gordon called Matt during tonight's dinner service.
• Slob
• Tubby
• Baby
• Slim
• Homer
As you might have guessed from that intermission, Matt had a rough service. It started with him on the hot appetizers station (which Christina voiced her concern about), serving appetizers in record time. Unfortunately they all came back with complaints of being too salty. It must have been Matt's secret ingredient — salt. With Corey's helpful tips to "cook like a normal person," Matt then gets bumped to the veggies station, but after making some "disgusting" dishes there and throwing around his pans like he "needs a diaper", Corey basically relieves him of all duties. He spends the rest of the night "straightening up" the kitchen.
But the blue kitchen had its share of problems. Petrozza continued to work in an untidy station, and didn't wash his lettuce before serving. But all eyes were on Louross, who repeatedly sent undercooked filet mignons into the dining room before being returned. Matt may have gotten a barrage of nicknames, but Gordon also unloaded on Louross, saying his sighs of disappointment were an Oscar-worthy acting job. He also said if his cooking was as good as his acting he'd be talented. Ouch. Then, he got on his knees to get on eye-level and perhaps reach him. Double ouch. After threatening to shut down the blue team if one more steak came back, Louross fixed the problem. But his diners had left, causing Gordon to give his final insult of throwing the ticket in his face.
Jen wasn't immune to criticism either, as she served a raw soufflé which ended with a broken plate. But somehow Corey and Christina worked as a team to complete their meal, and to their credit, the blue team finally used to teamwork to send out all their deserts. Gordon says the chefs menus performed equally well in terms of customer curiosity, but both teams failed miserably. He did, however, name the red team the winners of the night's service and named Petrozza the "untidy best of the worst."
Petrozza fairly easily nominated Jen and Louross to be sent home. But Gordon (fulfilling the "never done before" twist teased last week) asked Petrozza who should actually go home. Smartly (but somewhat shockingly) Petrozza chose the actual weak link on his team rather than the cook who is more difficult in the kitchen and booted Louross. Gordon agreed, and Louross left Hell's Kitchen. In a bit of last-minute trickery, Gordon asked Matt to come forward and scolded both he and Jen before asking them to take off their jackets. (I was excited, I must say!) But then he simply sent them back to their original teams promising that the final six would be starting all over the next day.
So Louross, our Filipino "Smurf" is now gone. As Ramsay said he "wasn't short on energy, he was just short…on cooking ability." Don't you just love Gordon?
So what do you think about Louross' exit? Do you think the teams will suffer now that everyone is back where they started? How excited are you about Matt's crazy antics (and we thought he couldn't get any crazier!) teased in next week's promo? Share your thoughts and check back next week for more!
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May 27, 2008 11:51 PM
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Louross deserved to go, but I thought that both Matt and Jen also deserved to go. A triple boot would have been fantastic!
I can't take Matt seriously, and from the preview for next week, it's with good reason. Next week Rock, the winner from last year, returns to offer them some advice. Hopefully he has time to give them all cooking lessons too! Also next week, the previews show what happens with the 2 teams.
Scroll down for spoiler ***
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Both teams combine next week as they were shown wearing the black stripe of the unified team.
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End spoiler. Scroll up to read it.
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May 28, 2008 12:01 AM
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I won't miss LouRoss, but several others were equally deserving of the boot. Matt and Jen, in particular. The one thing that impressed me this week was that Corey and Christina actually worked well as a team, even though they have hated each other from the beginning.
Bobby continues to be a mystery to me. What have we actually seen him do?
Frankly, I can't help but think that Ramsay is going to come up with some kind of twist on the grand prize. He can't seriously want any of these people running his LA kitchen.
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May 28, 2008 4:33 AM
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Ok I missed the the 1st 24 minutes of the show cause I was watching The Andromeda Strain....which I might say is not that bad of a show. But Im so glad that I missed Matt in a wetsuit. But for those who saw it....at least it wasn't a speedo(Sorry that I had to put that image into your head but you know I'm right).
I couldn't stop laughing when GR called Matt all those names. But by far the funniest was Homer And when he got on his knees to get eye-level to point out Louross short comings(no pun inteded). Where does he come up with these names?
I still don't think none of these jokers deserves to win the competition. None of them haven't stepped up to the plate. I still can't get over Matt's dish of raw scallops, cavier and shredded white chocolate. Jen's mouth and ego get in the way. I still don't care for Corey and Kristina...but they still have a running for the finals. And the same goes for Pet and Bobby. However, Bobby is playing under the radar, and Pet needs to keep his station tidy. But none of them deserves to win the competiton.
I think next week's episode will be interesting. With Jen and Matt back to their orginal teams, the cash prize and seeing Rock...who I always liked. However I wouldn't mind if Julia showed up as well.
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May 28, 2008 6:01 AM
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Did anyone notice that some of the diners ordered the Risotto? I don't believe they replaced the whole original menu.
I don't know where this goes from here. I don't think any of these cooks are chefs and would steer clear of any restaurant over which they are the exec. Bobby is a mystery and maybe they've been editing it that way. Corey gets on my nerves but I think she's competent.
In the battle of bad I guess Louross did himself in. I do not understand why Matt is still there except for comic relief.
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May 28, 2008 8:08 AM
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I watched the show too late to comment last week ~ But I have to tell you that you guys left some really hysterical comments!! Of course ~ Matt is certainly easy to comment on! I would love to see his wife. And lizzybelle ~ I agree ~ WAY too much crying from reality show contestants!! Do they do it for more camera time or what?
I thought they were supposed to come up with 3 apps, 3 entrees and 3 desserts. Neither team had 3 of any of those things.
I really did like when Corey & Christina were working really well together. If stupid Corey hadn't started out the entire show by being a bitch and trying to eliminate Christina right away ~ they probably could have won every challenge. But they have won almost all of them anyway.
Matt is really.........something else. I have to agree with Darclyte that he must have been planted in there for entertainment. It worked. Next week sure looks interesting.
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May 28, 2008 9:50 AM
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I agree - there is NO way any of thee people could possibly run a high end kitchen - He/she will be a $250K prep cook! That was a lousy reward!! I would not be happy to be heading to the beach to put on a wetsuit and jump in the ocean! Did the show run out of money to have a real reward? LOL
Matt is definitely there for the viewers - he is such an ODD fellow but oh so funny!!!
Jen - loser - it's time for her to go!
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May 28, 2008 10:10 AM
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Plus Matt got the red team off to a bad start by poaching chicken but leaving it raw
I hate to defend Matt, but the raw chicken was Christina's fault. The chicken was still poaching when Matt and Christina switched off. Matt told her how long it had been poaching - Christina was the one who took off the stove too early.
I was praying that Grrr would fire both Jen and Matt - now that would be something he had never done before - and it would have made me very happy.
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May 28, 2008 10:18 AM
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Matt sweating into the food was the most disgusting thing I've seen - blech!!!!!
I had been a fan of Jen's until last night - she was being a bully, and the guys were right to just let her hang herself. I was very surprised that Petrozza didn't send her packing.
Switching Matt and Jen back to their original kitchens is an even bigger disaster waiting to happen, as if this whole season hasn't been a disaster. The only one I could remotely see running GR's new kitchen may be Bobby - he may just be dragged down by the others. Corey shows some competence, but I just don't like her attitude. Who knows how this is all going to play out.
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May 28, 2008 10:20 AM
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Hmmm, Louross messed up last week and Jen didn't let him forget about it, calling him every name possible. This week, she messes up, and says "people make mistakes". I wish Louross was a more confrontational guy, because he could have ripped Jen a new one for screwing the relay up.
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May 28, 2008 10:22 AM
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I would love to see his wife. zzz999, I would also like to see his wife as well. Poor thing.
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May 28, 2008 3:02 PM
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The good news - not seeing Matt in a wetsuit. (I missed most of the show, but got to the dinner service.)
The bad news - realizing that ONE of this year's batch of Hell's Kitchen contestants will be running Gordon Ramsay's new L.A. eatery. Seriously, this bunch (with the possible exception of Bobby) is just plain awful!
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May 28, 2008 6:21 PM
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OOO I was so sure that Matt & Jenn would get the boot as well. Jenn bugs me more than Louross and wish she had left. Petrozza is just.
At this point I want Corey or Christina to win.
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May 28, 2008 8:58 PM
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This is the first season I've ever seen of Hell's Kitchen. Where do they find these people? I wouldn't want to eat anything that any of them cooked. They are all disgusting. This show is so ridiculous. How can they pick any one of these losers to be an executive chef. Why would anyone go eat at that restaurant? They all should go back to their day jobs ... digging ditches or working on a chain gang or wherever they dug these people up from.
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May 30, 2008 11:31 PM
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