Top Chef Boston Recap: Episode 7

By Jason Lee

December 6, 2014

This episode is basically the inverse of the Kristen/Josie Restaurant Wars.

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As the judges wrap up there, dessert service at Magellan has ground to a screeching halt. Keriann, clueless as ever, has no idea why. Apparently, Katsuji has run into some problems plating Keriann’s dish - her burnt banana mousse is not spreadable. The camera peers over his shoulder and those of Katie and Greg who have rushed over to help him - he’s right, the “mousse” is the consistency of hard ice cream. Katsuji has no idea how he’s supposed to spread that on Keriann’s crêpe.

Taking charge, executive chef Katie makes the executive decision to heat up Keriann’s crêpes.

The judges have arrived at Magellan but Keriann is nowhere in sight. After a few minutes, she spots them and rushes over to seat them. Tom surveys the room and says that he only sees one table eating. Gail suggests that Keriann put on sneakers so that she can move around a bit faster.

Keriann trots back with appetizers for the judges while other diners look on with envy. She has roasted beets with Sri Lankan curry from Katie, a hamachi sashimi with roasted poblano from Katsuji, and dry posole with Dungeness crab, again from Katsuji.

Gail finds the flavor of Katie’s dish “intriguing,” and Tom agrees - the curry is nice but bears no relation to the beets. Barbara likes Katsuji’s hamachi but finds it less-than-satisfying.




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The entrée is brought out for the judges as the other diners stare daggers at Keriann. They want food too. The judges dig into haddock with spiced tomato and garam masala from Greg. Gail loves his use of seasoning and pickled vegetables. Tom finds the fish nicely cooked. There’s also hoisin-glazed pork tenderloin with bay scallops, again from Greg. This also goes over well - Padma says his pork is nicely cooked and likes his scallop “one hundred times better” than Melissa’s salty version.

Keriann heads into the kitchen to grab the dessert course for the judges and is shocked to find that her crêpes have been warmed up. She wanted them served at room temperature. She demands to know why Katsuji deviated from her instructions. He looks over at Katie, begging her with his eyes to take responsibility for the decision. Keriann again demands to know why her crêpes were warmed up. Katie still stays silent. Katsuji mumbles, “It wasn’t my call.”

Keriann storms out of the kitchen with the dish and presents the vanilla crêpe with burnt banana mousse to the judges. Gail finds that it lacks color, Tom describes it as dry as a hockey puck, and Barbara declares that she’s not paying for her dinner at Magellan. They don’t have a leader, she complains. Gail agrees that they lost their way.

Padma heads into the kitchen and calls out the 4 Pigs team. Barbara compliments the level of respect Adam commanded from his wait staff. Gail notes that the dinner felt like it came from one kitchen led by one vision. Melissa and Mei both compliment Doug for the way he handled service.


Continued:       1       2       3       4       5

     


 
 

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