Top Chef Las Vegas Recap

By Jason Lee

October 9, 2009

It will be less confusing without an Ash and an Ashley.

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Tyler Florence goes around and tries everyone's dishes. On the bottom, he puts Robin for a dish that was far too elementary and heavy on the salt, Eli who killed the umami flavor of his mushrooms with citrus, and Jennifer, who didn't really embody the idea of "adventurous" in her scallop dish. She. Is. Pissed.

On top, we have Pompous Mike, whose flavors were light, fresh and clean, Kevin with an "impressive dish," and Michael, who smartly paired yuzu curd and a seaweed cracker. Kevin ends up winning and in a stunning turn of events, he is offered either $15,000 or immunity for his win. While I personally would have taken immunity, especially since we don't know what the Elimination Challenge is yet, Kevin takes the $15,000 saying that he's confident that at this stage of the game, he won't be going home. Looking at the chefs still left in the competition, I don't disagree with him. There are plenty of chefs (Robin, Ash, Laurine, etc.) who simply aren't contenders for this title.

Instead of spilling the beans on the Elimination Challenge, Padma tells the cheftestants that they can leave and enjoy a nice dinner at home. They'll find out more about the Elimination Challenge when they arrive at their house. The chefs rush home and find their kitchen and pantry STOCKED with tons of ingredients, dishware and cookware. They go outside and find Padma plus three great chefs: Nancy Silverton (a famed California chef), Takahashi Yaighashi, Tom Douglas, Govind Armstrong (who's been on the show a couple of times) and Tyler Florence.

Apparently these chefs comprise the full Macy's Culinary Council and they'll be participating in this challenge as diners. They are also each holding a grocery bag filled with goodies. Our cheftestants will draw knives to pair in groups to cook one dish using the ingredients in one of the bags. All the dishes will be served together, family style, later that evening.




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The chefs draw knives and we have some great pairings. Jennifer is paired with Kevin, which excites me because even if she's feeling a little sick, I think Kevin will pull her through. Michael is paired with Ash. Laurine is paired with his cute brother Bryan. Ashley has Eli, and Pompous Mike is paired with the last person he'd want to work with: Robin.

The pairs split up the house and get to work. Pompous Mike infuriates me (and hopefully many other viewers) with his total contempt of Robin. He says that he's going to take control and do this challenge himself. He says that he's a better chef than her and that she knows it. He later remarks that he's giving her minor things to do and will throw away all the food that she prepares for their dish.

I've never hidden my dislike for him but now it has blossomed into outright hatred. I hate this man. He has such a huge ego and a ready mouth to voice it. The worst part of it is the joking way that he slams Robin - like a schoolyard bully who sarcastically tells a friend how he beat up a freshman in a "isn't this so funny, didn't they deserve it, aren't I witty" manner. I hope he goes home. And then loses his job. And his wife. And his hair. And his ability to maintain an erection.


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