Top Chef Episode 3- Thunderbirds

Last night’s episode of Top Chef: Las Vegas was perhaps the most interesting episode so far in the early season. Arguments, the Air Force, insults, and pork combined to show why Top Chef can be so addictive to both reality TV fans and foodies alike.

QUICKFIRE

Create a Potato dish

Guest Judge – Mark Peel

Prize – This week’s Quickfire Challenge had no money prize, but granted immunity in the Elimination Challenge.

• This was probably the most straightforward Quickfire of the season. Ashley chose to do gnocchi and was fuming when Preeti used her water to blanche her asparagus with about 13 minutes to go in the Challenge. It didn’t seem to matter though as Ashley’s dish was picked as a favorite.
• Ashley’s gnocchi and Ash’s Sweet Potato Custard (which didn’t present very well.) couldn’t stand up to Jenn’s Mussels and Blue and Gold Potatoes with Lemongrass and Potato Broth. This was Jenn’s second Quickfire win and granted her immunity in the next challenge. Mike I. wasn’t too impressed by Jenn’s dish and thinks favoritism played a part in her win.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE

• Create a meal for 300 Airmen at Nellis Air Force Base.
• The teams gathered for a meeting and decided to break into teams of two with each pair taking care of one dish. They elected Jenn into the Head Chef position to run the kitchen.
• The Chefs got to the kitchen to discover they would be cooking in a true mess hall. No stoves, pots, or pans were available and most products were canned, dried and ration-type ingredients. Bravo must have a licensing deal with Diamond Crystal as salt seemed to be the only product that didn’t have its label blacked out with tape.
• Jenn runs a kitchen like Joe Clark runs a school. Hector felt her wrath when he was talking about brewery jugs and not the task at hand. We may be looking through Philly-colored glasses, but could Bravo turn Jenn into a Top Chef villain?
• Top 4 – Pork Prevails. Mike V. and Mike I.’s Pork Belly with Soy Mustard and Peanuts (Local Side Note: Lolita served an eerily similar dish during their first Summer BBQ last year) The other top dish was Eli and Kevin’s Georgia Style Braised Pork Shoulder and Potato Salad.
• Winner – Mike V.
• Bottom 3 – Mike I. had an unprecedented appearance in both the top and bottom because of his “throwaway” dish of a Greek Salad with Olive Oil Poached Shrimp. Laurine and Preeti’s uninspired and tasteless Pasta Salad had them both up for elimination. Mike was livid about being in the bottom group and I am surprised he remained as calm as he did. Laurine claimed she forgot about the competition and that set off a chain of heated discussions or, more accurately, venom coming from the judges. Tom and Mark were blatantly honest, Padma was snippy, and Gail chimed in with negative reinforcement in a very awkward judges table.
• Got Served – Preeti

Random Observations

Where is Toby Young?

Padma has a knack of being served dishes containing shells and bones.

Ashley is the Debbie Downer of this season.

Who would have thought that Ron would win multiple awards for clam chowder? That would be like Mattin winning a cheesesteak competition.

Jenn Carroll has used seafood in every one of her dishes so far. (Lobster, Halibut, Salmon, -Octopus, Mussels).

If you ever miss an episode of Top Chef, Comcast is offering the episodes On Demand in widescreen. They are available immediately following the episode airing every Wednesday. And are found in TV Entertainment section

Next week’s episode has some French flavor and a double elimination with the loser of the Quickfire also going home. Daniel Boulud makes his annual appearance as guest judge.

Random Observations

-Where is Toby Young?

-Padma has a knack of being served dishes containing shells and bones.

-Ashley is the Debbie Downer of this season.

-Who would have thought that Ron would win multiple awards for clam chowder? That would be like Mattin winning a cheesesteak competition.

-Jenn Carroll has used seafood in every one of her dishes so far. (Lobster, Halibut, Salmon, -Octopus, Mussels).

-If you ever miss an episode of Top Chef, Comcast is offering the episodes On Demand in widescreen. They are available immediately following the episode airing every Wednesday. And are found in TV Entertainment section

-Next week’s episode has some French flavor and a double elimination with the loser of the Quickfire also going home. Daniel Boulud makes his annual appearance as guest judge.