Top Chef New York Double Elimination Challenge

After the chefs were given a holiday reprieve in the last episode of Top Chef they vowed to redeem themselves in the next elimination challenge. Let’s see if they were able to do that.

Tonight’s Top Chef quick fire challenge was to create a dessert without using a key ingredient; sugar. Once again Radhika came out on top which gave her immunity in the elimination challenge.

Upon visiting the chefs Judge Tom Colicchio gave detailed instructions to the next elimination challenge. This challenge became an opportunity for them to prove themselves as chefs. The chefs could cook whatever they liked without any restrictions or limitations. It was their chance to shine if they could.

Tonight’s Top Chef Twist was that it would be a blind taste testing challenge. Everyone was given a clean slate with the judges so that there wouldn’t be any bias based upon previous challenges. Tonight’s challenge also introduced the new judge for the rest of the season; Judge Toby Young.

There were a couple of dishes that did stand out in the crowd. We had Stefan, Ariane, Jaime and Leah. Jaime who has at times come in a close second was able to finally win a challenge. She won with her seared sea scallops, fennel and garlic cream and shaved fennel salad dish.

The Top Chef bottom three included Carla, Eugene and Melissa. Melissa’s fish taco dish lacked imagination while also not being cooked to perfection being that it was such a simple dish.

Carla’s dish would have been a wonderful vegetarian dish; however she added a protein that ruined it. Carla's lack of confidence in her original idea is what cost her the challenge.

Eugene’s dish was over the top and not cohesive. While Eugene received kudos for originality his finished product did not come together.

With a very tight elimination tonight Carla was spared and we had to say goodbye to Eugene and Melissa.

If you liked this article you may also enjoy:
The Real Housewives of Atlanta – The Introductions

Shear Genius’ Dog Cut Challenge – August 6, 2008

Shear Genius started out tonight with a gentle reminder of how Jaclyn Smith was disappointed with last week’s Charlie’s Angels challenge. No cut hung on the Allure wall of fame. And hopefully it shamed the hairstylist to get their act together.

This week’s quick cut challenge was to create a futuristic style using ingredients that can be found in the average kitchen.

Some ingredients used were: salt, flour, honey, molasses, peanut butter, beets and squid.

Paulo was the winner of this week’s quick cut challenge. And he was positively pleased.

The loser of the quick cut challenge was Nicole. She absolutely didn’t know what she was doing. She had no foundation for her hairstyle; which was essential to this particular challenge. And also key to being a good hairstylist. She tried placing squid in her clients’ hair which didn’t make any sense at all. It just showed how lost she was in this challenge. Plus, Nicole has a little mouth on her it’s going to get her in trouble before this season is over.

Nekisa is such a BS artist. Her styles in her mind always come out exactly how she wanted them to. But all the rest of us see is how she’s missed the mark once again. Nekisa there’s a reason you’re always in the bottom.

Can anyone tell me, “Why is Charlie so hateful?” He’s playing the part of the angry gay.

This week’s Elimination Challenge was to cut and groom your dog. In addition to that they had to cut and style the dog’s owners hair giving them a look inspired by the dog.

It was clearly evident that none of the stylists knew how to cut and groom a dog. But I loved how Daniel added a hair piece and barrette to his dog. It made her hair pop!

Nekisa was put on the spot in front of her client when Rene asked if she liked the style she was given.

On the runway Nekisa once again was the queen of excuses. Did anyone catch how irritated Jaclyn was to hear yet another one?

Charlie admitted that he wasn’t into this week’s challenge and I think that without doubt rubbed the judges the wrong way.

That was a wrong move Charlie.

Tonight’s winner was Dee; her work was Sheer genius and I totally agree.

Nekisa gave her Final Cut tonight and deservedly so. True to form Nekisa blamed waffles the dog for getting her kicked off the show.

Good Bye Nekisa!