TOP CHEF: And Then There Were Three

 

Guys, I apologize for the delay on this one. I started feeling sick on Friday, and believe it or not, it WASN’T because Michael Voltaggio is still around. But of course, that didn’t help.

The final four headed to Napa Valley and had their Quickfire Challenge on the train, which I have to say, even as a non-wine person, looked like a really fun thing to do someday—gorgeous views and the train and station were SO quaint. And then the picturesque scene was ruined by Michael Chiarello, who you may remember from Top Chef Masters. I wasn’t a fan of him now, and I still wasn’t this time around. I mean, first of all, I really didn’t think he should be giving Bryan a hard time for using concord grapes when they were provided to him. Secondly, I really wanted Jen to win that car, especially when I heard about her little old Cavalier (and, truth be told, I had been accidentally spoiled on who was eliminated, so I wanted her to get SOMETHING), and adding insult to injury, he picked MICHAEL to win. I was SO mad.

I actually really liked this elimination challenge, and again, even as a non-wine person, the harvest party looked really fun and was totally beautiful. I’m kind of over the catering challenges and I’m ready for the finale, which is usually just the chefs cooking a meal, not necessarily for one person, but certainly not for 150, either. But I did like the meat and vegetarian requirements, and I was shocked that no one had anything negative to say about Kevin’s vegetarian dish—there’s ALWAYS something negative to say. Plus, especially after the Natalie Portman challenge, it was nice to see them using eggs and cheese in their vegetarian dishes since I always think of that as fair game unless you’re talking vegans.

Speaking of Kevin’s food, I was SO entertained when they were in the stew room and Michael brought up two different people using “toothy” words, and Kevin was like, “Oh yes, TOOTHSOME. Toothsome means, ‘I know you’re going to say this isn’t tender enough, so I’m going to call it TOOTHSOME and then you can’t argue!’” and everyone laughed, including Michael, which was unusual and nice for a change.

I guess I don’t really have much to say about Bryan’s food, even though he was the winner, because it seemed good except for maybe a slight lack of salt, and he’s just a pretty consistent dude. So let’s just move on to Jen and Michael. In Tom Colicchio’s blog (which, incidentally, I always recommend), he said it was pretty clear that Jen would be the one going home. For me personally, and obviously, I didn’t eat the food, but I would always rather have too much salt than a raw egg. Sick. But apparently the judges weren’t in agreement, and it was adios Jen, who I still love and can’t wait to see again in the finale when they get helpers. Those boys better be fighting over who gets her.

And finally, just to include all the other little bits of miscellany, it was kind of fun that the chefs had been out in the real world and caught up on Facebook (i.e. a group in support of Kevin’s beard) and knew what the others had said in talking heads (i.e. Michael’s, “that’s how I cook on the weekend). I was glad that even though Kevin had heard that, it didn’t make him want to run out and try to change who he is, which is part of his appeal, I think. Also, on a slightly shallower note, it was also really fun to see everyone with new hairdos, like Jen going curly, Kevin flattening his down, and Padma’s bangs. Plus, we finally got to see and acknowledge pregnant Padma! But the little things like that make Top Chef so fun.

Alright, it’s time for some comments! What did you guys think of the episode? Did you agree with Jen getting sent home over Michael, and with Bryan winning? Thoughts on Napa and/or the challenges? And who else is way excited for the finale? Discuss!

SB loves recapping for GMMR so much that she recently started her own TV blog at www.offcolortv.com. She is not a foodie but loves yelling at her TV, and Top Chef gives her many, many reasons to do so.