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Tesar also strikes me as a dangerous Top Chef champion if he somehow accomplishes this feat. In the past, when Tesar has failed mightily, he only had himself to blame. Now, if there is a disastrous headline, a portion of it will include the statement “Top Chef winner John Tesar.” This is the same problem Survivor experienced when Richard Hatch stopped paying his taxes.

The concern grows larger as Colicchio waits but a brief period before acknowledging that Tesar is worthy of a Top Chef coat. Although there is again no indication how many contenders will be given such a jacket, the 54-year-old is the first player officially to advance to the actual competition. Notably, none of the other participants are privy to the discussion. They believe that Tesar has been eliminated, which lights a fire under all of them to perform at a high level and quickly if they want to avoid a similar fate.

Mikah is first to feel the new heightened pressure. Tom demands that he filet black bass. During the conversation, Micah reveals that he skipped straight from line cook to executive chef. He was never a sous chef, a huge disadvantage in the current setting. Tom provides some tutelage while Micah worries whether his blind spot of inexperience might set him.

Handlebar mustache aficionado Jorel (he’s bringing it back) receives a gift from Tom. His task is to butcher chicken, which is also what he does in his job in Denver. “I could butcher a pig with my eyes closed," he boasts. Then, he blows the assignment by ignoring Tom’s (admittedly imprecise) instructions by removing the bones. This is against Tom’s wishes, and he is re-trained by the Top Chef judge. Presumably, this is a strike against Jorel if he fails at a task straight from his job description.

Oddly, the show cuts at this juncture. The setting is changed to Las Vegas, Nevada where Emeril Lagasse is holding court at Table 10 restaurant in the Palazzo Hotel Casino. The further results at Craft will not be revealed until later. For his part, the charismatic man with the BAM! catchphrase welcomes five more chefs into his establishment.

Unbelievably, one of them has a handlebar mustache. Jorel’s look is already sweeping the nation! There is another coincidence with this grouping. Two of the participants, Stephanie and Kristen, not only work together at the same Boston restaurant but also live in the same apartment complex. They even got matching spoon tattoos on their arms.

Stephanie states, “[There are] a lot of lesbian rumors because of this, which we’re not. Just to clarify.” She swallows hard as she states this. I immediately infer that either she is truly bothered by the rumors or that she is worried that an appearance on Top Chef will out the couple. Either way, the spoon tattoos are ugly, potential The Tick and The Matrix references notwithstanding.

Handlebar mustache guy #2 has a name; it is Josh Valentine. He also seems a bit overwhelmed by the circumstance. Compared to Stephanie, however, he is Cary Freakin’ Grant in terms of grace and poise. Stephanie looks every bit as wide-eyed as Anthony, albeit without the dripping perspiration.

The other two contenders, Tina and Jeffrey, are milquetoast. The latter gentleman states that his primary goal on Top Chef is to bring honor to his boyfriend, Jim. The sentiment is nice but woefully lacking in killer instinct. “I’m not here for me” is not a competitive attitude. Say what you will about Beverly last season, she possessed the burning hunger to win that drove her to tremendous feats in the face of constant criticism.

Tina is not the focus of the show enough to provide a read on her personality. I presume this means that she either has a deep run on Top Chef or is so boring that they didn’t waste the air time on her. Let’s hope the former is true. Otherwise, I’m a jerk for saying that.

Emeril’s challenge is deceptive. The chefs are informed that they must create a bowl of soup. Do not for a second let opening a can of Campbell’s enter your mind. Soup structure is a complex combination of blended flavor profiles. For professionals such as these five people, soup is not meant to be eaten with crackers.

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