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« Hell's Kitchen
Episode Recap: Two Teams Become One
So we've made it to the final six, which any other season is an accomplishment. This year, I'd say most of the remaining chefs owe it to dumb luck. However, as much as it may be hard to believe that any of these cooks are going to be running Gordon Ramsay's new restaurant, they each got a tour of the building that will become their new culinary home. (Maybe Gordon's waiting to see if he should put in an all-you-can eat buffet, based on who wins.) The chefs were also dumbfounded by the $250,000 they got to peek at, and who wouldn't be? I'm still hoping someone proves to me that they deserve the prize money.
After changing out of their red and blue coats to become a single team, the chefs launched into the first individual challenge, in which each chef cooked a protein they were assigned. Matt made a roasted veal loin, Christina prepared a pan-seared sea bass and Jen chose a risky thin-sliced ribeye steak. Additionally, Bobby made his version of a duck noodle soup, Corey made a lobster soup and Petrozza prepared a stuffed chicken breast. Gordon was pleased with these dishes across the board, calling it a "refreshing change." (Even Matt smelled victory!) However, Chef Ramsay was upset that Corey didn't use more of her lobster and even though his soup was on the verge of being perfect, Bobby's duck was tough. Jen's ribeye and Christina's bass were the top two dishes in Gordon's eyes, with the victory going to Jen, as her "dangerous dish that paid off." Gordon also added it to the menu for the next dinner service.
Finally receiving a good prize, Jen (and her surprising choice of Corey as a guest) was sent to Vegas to meet with Rock, last year's winner. He reminded both women that Gordon wants the best future chef, not just the best cook. For me the most interesting part of the trip was Corey continuously talking about how fake Jen was, while Corey (who obviously has problems with Jen) magically became Jen's new best friend after being chosen. Meanwhile the guys and Christina had to spend the whole day suffering through Matt's continuous whining. Oh, and they had to unload the delivery trucks, too.
And then, the moment we've all been waiting for: Matt started to crack up. Though we saw nothing new that wasn't teased in last week's promo, the best of his fit/fight with Christina was the running commentary from the other chefs. Bobby said he was a loose cannon, "fruity in the brain," was on the war path — all reasons enough for Bobby to keep 50 feet of distance from him.
When it came time for dinner service, Jen and Petrozza were assigned appetizers, Bobby was on the fish station, Corey handled vegetables and (best buds!) Christina and Matt were put on meats. Matt, of course, started floundering very early on, and Christina said she wouldn't hesitate to kick him off the station. (Which Matt returned with a classy confessional dig about Christina's cellulite, naturally.) Apparently, Christina's eyes weren't the only ones watching, as Gordon reminded Matt that he would be "watching him like a hawk."
Although Petrozza continued to be sloppy, Gordon was pleased with his appetizers. Jen, however served a salty risotto that had Chef Ramsay double-thinking his earlier judgment. But then the Matt freakshow took over again, as he couldn't even repeat orders back to Gordon as they came in. He honestly was a stuttering mess. Apparently, his bad work rubbed off oneveryone around him, as Christina couldn't keep the meat station afloat and was failingto communicate with Corey, who became emotional. (Gordon told her to get out of her mood which made "her face look like a cow's backside.") Additional blunders came as Christina cooked chicken and meat in the same pan while Bobby (who shold know better since he is allergic to shellfish) did the same with salmon and scallops.
The kitchen really started to get heated (literally) when Corey burned her hand. Despite Gordon's insistence that she go see the medic, Corey repeatedly refused. It was a brave (stupid) move, but she finally gave in once he told her he wasn't asking. While Bobby remained focus and "cool as a cucumber," Gordon caught "bandana man" Matt eating food, despite his customers sitting in the dining room hungry. When Matt's plated meat was overcooked (and another was raw) Gordon came down on him hard. While complaining of a migraine, Matt also talked back to Ramsay, saying he was too busy getting yelled at. (I think Bobby's "fruity in the brain" comment was just about right!) While babbling more excuses, Gordon tells Matt he's had a migraine since the day he got there, and sent him to the dorms to lie down.
It was all downhill from there as Jen then burned a pot of rice in Christina's station, earning Jen and Christina an early exit (Jen for leaving it to burn, and Christina for not noticing). Finally (and mercifully), Gordon shuts the "pathetic" service down. After Corey apologizes for her emotions (and Gordon reminds her he's not Dr. Phil), the gang is sent back to the dorms to nominate two chefs. Matt has a private word with Gordon, and is so disillusioned that he feels Gordon wants him there, or else he would already be gone. He even tells the rest of the team that, after being nominated, he will still be around.
Ah, Matt. You committed the cardinal sin. Pride goes before a fall. That's right — after the team nominated Matt and Christina (and Corey sacrifices herself, earning points in my book) Gordon sent Matt packing. He was fun to watch (which we got to relive through his embarrassing exit montage), but the guy really should have been gone weeks ago. Petrozza said he would be happy when Matt was out of the state, but Bobby even wanted him "kicked off the universe." (These people are brilliant, I tell you!) Gordon sent the chefs off, urging them to unite as a team.
So are you glad to see Matt finally leave? Or were you happy to see his failures each week in the "best thing in his life?" Are you excited for next week's model-invaded Hell's Kitchen? Share your thoughts and check back next week! For now, I'll leave you with a touching poem, written by the Shakespeare of the kitchen, Gordon Ramsay.
There once was a boy named Matt,
Whose kitchen performance fell flat.
He was far from neat, miserable on meat,
So I kicked him out, and that's that.
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Jun 3, 2008 11:12 PM
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Well, this episode was anti-climatic. If Matt didn't go home, the show would have truly jumped the shark. (if it hasn't already)
The previews made me laugh. ("Her boobs are sticking out!")
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Jun 4, 2008 12:09 AM
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The part that had me rolling was when Ramsey took Matt by the hand to lead him out of the kitchen. I had to rewatch that twice. And I'm still laughing as I type this. Even though I'm glad that he is gone, I'm going to miss him....for the best comic relief ever. And I hope he stays out of the kitchen for awhile...the raw dish with White Chocolate he served up earlier in the season I would never forget.
Bobby's dish of Duck noodle soup sounded good. And so does Pet's stuffed chicken breast. I don't know what it is with me but Split Pea soup with Lobster doesn't sound very appetizing. One thing I don't get though, even if Jen told Christina to cook the Rib Eye for 4 minutes, and Christina knew it would take longer than 4 to cook, why would she go ahead and cook it for 4 minutes anyway? A proffesional cook would of known better than to cook rib eye longer than 4 mins. Plus didn't she cook it before? Because a customer said this was the best rib eye he has ever had.
As for who is going to be in the finals...I think its going to be Bobby and maybe Corey. And what was up with Corey not going to medical to check on her burned hand? Does it take Ramsey to be yelling in hear ear for 5 mins to finally give in?
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Jun 4, 2008 1:21 AM
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With Matt gone, the show will be a lot more enjoyable. There's only so much crazy I can take.
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Jun 4, 2008 3:16 AM
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I'm going to miss Matt! As much as he's a loon, he was fun to watch.
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Jun 4, 2008 6:21 AM
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Adam, I love your recaps! What fun. I didn't get to see last night's show so I am satisfied. I for one, will miss Sam the Eagle. He was a hoot to watch. As for the rest of the crew....not so much. Is it too late to start over?!
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Jun 4, 2008 8:22 AM
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After last night, I just can't imagine any of these contestants running GR's new restraunt. Matt more than proved that he cannot handle the pressure, although he was quite entertaining. Bobby seems to just wait around for everyone else to screw up before he steps up to do anything. It's a farce to watch these people in the kitchen, but I can't help but watch anyway!
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Jun 4, 2008 9:52 AM
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Maybe Ramsay will award the $250K and the title of executive chef, but give the real authority to a sous-chef.
Seriously.
Petrozza's a pig. Bobby and Christina cooking different things, that don't belong together, in the same pan. Corey melting under pressure. Jen not being temperamentally suited. These people would either end up being sued or being the first to go from winning "Hell's Kitchen" to appearing on "Kitchen Nightmares" as they drive London in WeHo into the ditch.
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Jun 4, 2008 10:03 AM
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Gordon'poem had me rolling!!! THANK GOD Matt is gone!!! I was so scared after he was tearing into Christina...Yeah, I really can't imagine anyone running the restaurant.Everyone who I was rooting for got canned already like Louross or Ben. Bobby just isn't a team player much. He would rather have the team fail then come in & save the day than ready help from the beginning which isn't a good quality to have. Petrozza is just too sloppy even if he does cook well. Corey is a potential but she seems like she will fold under pressure, same as Christina. Jen just won't ever step up & admit her mistake which is her downfall. For Matt to think that he was going to win tho & have the last laugh......LMAO!!!! Dream on weirdo!!! Godd riddance...next week seems interesting.
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Jun 4, 2008 10:11 AM
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I'm so glad that Matt is gone.
I thought that Jen would have chosen Bobby to go with her, I'm still surprised she chose Corey.
Wow, did Rock show just how much more class he has than ANY of these remaining clowns?
Pretty good poem and good on Gordon for actually reciting it!
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Jun 4, 2008 10:41 AM
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I will miss Matt the weirdo too! One of the stranger reality show participants. And it was pretty hysterical when he said he was going to win!
It was very strange when there were two people cooking two things in the same pan. I have never seen that happen before and then twice in the same night! Definitely could be dangerous with some people's allergies. It's pretty important since some allergies can get real bad real fast. Certainly wouldn't want that happening in your restaurant. If someone nearly dies in your restaurant ~ that would get around.
Darclyte ~ I really thought she would have taken Bobby too.
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Jun 4, 2008 10:51 AM
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THIS WAS AN EMMY WINNING EPISODE!!!!!
Best Dramatic Performance: Jen- For the uncalled for emotional display when it was between her and Cristina.
Best Comedic and Psycho Performance: Matt- This really bring back fond memories of "FULL METAL JACKET". If they ever do a remake Matty will have a career outside of cooking.
Best 180 Performance: Corey- I hate Jen, no wait, I love her.
Best Under Radar Performance: Bobby- Never know where he is until someone else messes up
Best Impersonation of Pigpen From "Peanuts": Petrozza- I swear I see a little cloud of dirt and nastiness following him.
Until next week.
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Jun 4, 2008 10:59 AM
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I wonder if GR put Matt and Christina on the meat station together on purpose because he definately wanted to send one of them home, and he knew they were fighting and would probably self destruct. Which they did.
Maybe Jen took Corey to Vegas with her because she believes in the old saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer." That would be my only reason for taking Corey. I was hoping that she would have picked Petrozza - while he may be a slob in the kitchen, he seems to be the nicest one there.
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Jun 4, 2008 11:03 AM
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Of the remaining contestants on Hell's Kitchen, my favorite is Petrozza (not to win but he seems like the nicest one there). Based on the previews for next week's show, it looks like it could be the downfall for Petrozza. [it probably would be for me too if I was there.] I'm glad that Matt is gone. He made too many excuses as he worked sloppily. Before this episode/week, I thought that Corey and Christina were the strongest to win the whole competition. (Corey as #1 and Christina #2) Now my (final)prediction is Corey vs. Bobby with Petrozza coming in 3rd place. Hopefully starting next Tuesday, things don't go too crazy to deter this prediction, but crazy is like this show's middle name. Every chef/cook/contestant has quirky idiosyncrasies and bad habits that could cause failures to erupt. Of course based on every week, this is obvious. Overall, I'm hoping Corey wins because she seems like the perfect apprentice/sous chef. Petrozza is real dirty in preparation but he makes amazing dishes. I think that was an exact quote made by Gordon Ramsey in the episode. ?
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Jun 4, 2008 12:24 PM
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I wish someone had asked Jen why she took Corey (clearly the person she dislikes the most and vice versa). I was really curious what her rationale was. It might turn out to be a good move (as she was getting a pretty big target on her back-or maybe her face).
I would find this show a lot more enjoyable if Gordon Ramsay wasn't so fond of shouting at people and kicking things. That kind of thing makes him look bad and it isn't effective anyway.
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Jun 4, 2008 12:27 PM
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