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After Colin is thrown off the stage, Padma explains the rules. Emeril Lagasse, Tom Colicchio and her will taste each dish then speak to its quality. If two of them agree that the dish is worthy, the chef in question will earn their Top Chef coat. If two of the judges determine the dish is lacking, said player is eliminate. Everyone else will fall into the middle category, a later cook-off for the remaining spots. Effectively, everyone wants to get a Top Chef coat immediately but at a minimum, what they must avoid is summary dismissal.

Chris presents a caramel apple that Tom describes as a classic combination re-imagined well. Emeril goes one better and says that the combination of flavors is excellent. Chris becomes the first chef to receive a Top Chef coat. Sarah presents pig skin ravioli, which sounds like the embodiment of disgusting tailgate food. It looks quite tasty, though. Tom is deeply complimentary, indicating that hers was the most difficult ingredient yet she pulled it off well. Emeril quickly agrees and Sarah becomes the person of Chicago to earn a Top Chef coat. The pressure is on, Mohawk Boy!

Very little time is spent showing final preparations for the next duo of Group A. Grayson frets over her earlier mistake while Molly, the chef from Royal Caribbean, shows additional insecurities about her employers. Molly’s dish is a smoked sweet potato soup that fails to wow. Then again, it also avoids disaster. Tom and Emeril agree that the dish is okay with solid flavor, but the main ingredient of the dish, the pork cheek, is not highlighted properly. Molly becomes the first contestant placed in the Try Again Later category, the cooking Purgatory of Top Chef. Grayson is hoping to avert disaster. All of the judges know her situation and they seem to have made the determination that no matter what happens with her dish, she should get another opportunity. Tom and Emeril agree that her dish is not good enough to give her a coat, so she joins Molly in Purgatory.

There are four chefs in the final tasting from Group A. Nyesha, who has been given little camera time thus far, is either not very engaging or not someone they worry about showing this early in the competition. Our guess is the latter as she is imbued with self-confidence. Tom asks the first question and he clearly believes she has used far too many components. Emeril interrupts and states that Nyesha has created a perfect Tex-Mex dish and Padma chimes in that she believes it is beautiful. Before Tom can register his nay vote, Nyesha becomes a permanent Top Chef contestant. Heather competes next; her baby back ribs dish is the one that makes our mouth water. Tom confirms this by stating that her flavors are “soulful” and “satisfying”. Emeril’s smile is informative as before he even speaks, we know that Heather will be one of the 16 finalists. There are a dozen spots up for grabs now.

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