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Not such good news for the other two chefs. Melissa's fish tacos had no "wow" factor for Tom and Novelli found it watery, bland and over-dressed. Toby thought that Melissa should have known that she'd cooked a clunker simply by the fact that it smelled bad. Stick a fork in her, she's done.

As for Eugene, he claims that he's learned his lesson. He tried to do something risky and to think out of the box when he should have done something simplistic. I think he's mistaken. He should have tried to make something that TASTED GOOD. Tom thought that his combination of flavors just simply did not and could not work together. For Novelli, the fish was far too overcooked. For Toby, he calls Eugene on the fact that for all his whining about being creative and out of the box, the dish didn't taste like a failed experiment. It just tasted bland.

The three chefs have one last shot at redeeming themselves and pleading their case. Eugene says that he was just too creative. Melissa gives the most clichéd answers possible, saying that she has more to offer and wants to be here. Carla contends that if she'd taken the scallops off her dish, it would have been perfect. I try unsuccessfully to hold back my laughter at this statement.

As the judges ponder the fate of the three chefs, Toby immediately stands up for Eugene, saying that he's willing to be bold and will get it right eventually. I disagree. Eugene has been on the bottom on the last three challenges and I seriously doubt that anyone who thought daikon, tomato, basil and friend fish goes together will ever get it right. Tom stands up for Melissa, saying that she at least showed the judges who she is but Toby correctly points out that the food was a failure of imagination and therefore, Melissa is as well and should go home. Carla is roundly criticized for having a lack of confidence.

I'm torn. I want Eugene and Melissa to go home but I'm worried that Toby's support will swing Eugene back to the "safe" category.

The nervous chefs return and the final verdicts are laid out by Tom. Eugene is creative but his skill level needs to catch up. Melissa showed them who she is but revealed herself to have a lack of imagination and creativity. Carla overthought her dish and ruined something that could have been exceptional.

Melissa is asked to pack her knives and go. That was an easy guess, the tough decision comes between Eugene and Carla.

And the other chef going home isssssssssssss . . . . . . EUGENE. I'm relieved.

As the two eliminated chefs leave, Eugene muses about the fact that he has no regrets and did himself proud while Melissa worries that the TV audience will never realize what a creative and imaginative person she is.

I personally think that the judges sent the right two chefs home. I think that Eugene and Melissa were clear and away the most unskilled chefs out of the remaining 11 and I'm not sure that I'll miss them a lot. Of course, now the fun really starts. Nine chefs left and five episodes left til the finale. Let the games begin.

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