TeeVee: Top Chef All-Stars, Episode 8
Top Chef All-Stars (Wednesdays at 10PM on Bravo)
After some time off, we got a new episode last night. It's time for the QUICKFIRE.
Instead of an amazing chef to judge this round, Bravo decided to have a cross-over event with
Pretty much everyone hated this idea. And I'm pretty sure this will go down as one of the worst challenges to date. Highlights:
Angelo's excited... because he's two loves in life are food and fashion.
Carla was a model back in the day, travelling in Paris.
TOP
WINNER - Richard - Black Chocolate Ice Cream, Menthol Crystals, Herbal Salad and Mint Ice Cream Dots - He really thought about the challenge, and skewed it to the likes of the judge (Isaac likes black). Isaac said based on looks, Richard's was the only one he'd really want to try.
Fabio - Tuna with a Sidewalk of Carmel, Mushroom Umbrellas and Lemon Juice - His fellow chef-testants thought he was nuts, but the little story he made up and his presentation won over Isaac.
Carla - Borscht and Sandwich with a Lattice of Cucumber - Isaac called it simple but extremely well executed and like a dress "that would sell" (I thought it was one of the prettiest plates)
BOTTOM
Dale - Beet Puree, Cantaloupe, Maple Syrup Meringue, Avocado and Mango - Isaac said that it looked like the leftovers ready for the trash from a dish that just left the kitchen...
Tre - Smoked Salmon, Beets, Curry Noodles and Food Coloring - He tried to do an abstract art piece, but Isaac found it too minimalistic.
Photo Credit - David Giesbrecht / Bravo
Angelo - Pineapple Skin, curred Salted Egg, and Dill - It was suppose to be inspired by his favorite designer
(PS - My favorite, visually speaking was Tiffany's 'Almond Gazpacho, Graps and Dirt Made of Rye Bread' because it looked pretty, and seemed like you could actually eat it)
Then it's time for the ELIMINATION challenge... The chef-testants choose knives and then three Italian "mobster" looking guys come in. Padma introduces them as Frankie No, Junior and Dino of NYC famous Italian restuarant Rao.
The cheftestants must make an authentic 3-course Italian meal. So 3 cheftestants will be doing 3 dishes for 1 course, BUT they'll be judges individually (no best/worst from each course).
All the cheftestants got 30 minutes with the Rao guy associated with their course to talk menu.
Antipasti - 1st Course = Appetizer Course - Antonia, Carla, Tiffany
Primi - 2nd Course = Pasta Course - Mike, Tre and Dale
Secondi = 3rd Course = Meat Course - Angelo, Fabio, Richard
Primi - 2nd Course = Pasta Course - Mike, Tre and Dale
Secondi = 3rd Course = Meat Course - Angelo, Fabio, Richard
But the ones with the biggest to lose the Italian chefs that couldn't show their faces to their families ever again if they lost this challenge: Fabio, Antonia and Mike.
Tiffany tries to tell us it'd be a slap in the face if she lost because she worked in an Italian restuarant for 5 years. Tre says he's been called the 'Black Italian' so there's no way he'll lose... Hmmm.
Photo Credit - Bravo
TOP
WINNER - Antonia - Mussels with Fennel, White Wine, Garlic and Parsley Ciabatta - The judges loved this dish because of it's simplicity and flavors, plus they loved her ciabatta garlic bread - the other chef-testants didn't think it should have won - too simple, too easy, more French than Italian, etc.
Photo Credit - Bravo
Photo Credit - Bravo
Fabio - Pollo Alla Cacciatora and Polenta Al Pecorino - The judges said the chicken fell off the bone and was cooked to perfection and that the polenta made Anthony Bourdain forget about the awful dishes of the Pasta Course. He narrowly missed out on the top stop this week.
Tiffany - Polenta Terrine with Italian Sausage, Roasted Peppers and Kale - Although she had a mishap in the kitchen, the judges/guest ate this dish up. Tiffany cries a bit during judging as they compliment her on it.
Carla - Minestrone Soup with Basil Oil, Tomatoes and Homeade Focaccia - The judges loved that it was family-style and thought it tasted good. This made me tear up a bit, because I'm from an Italian family and my grandma would make Minestrone soup all the time and my dad makes Focaccia every time we get together... <3
MIDDLERS
Angelo - Sauteed Pork Chop, Cherry Peppers, Green Olives, Tomatoes and Pancetta - The judges thought it was well cooked, but might have had too many incredients (garnishes) on the plate.
Richard - Fresh Pancetta Cutlet, Broccolini and Pickled Cherry Tomatoes - The judges didn't really discuss his dish too much.
BOTTOM
Dale - Fresh Pasta, Pancetta, Brussels Sprouts, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Pecorino Romano - The judges thought it lacked sauce and was really bland. This was the one where guest judge Lorraine Bracco said "He's not getting laid tonight" when asked if her boyfriend made this dish for her, what would happen.
Mike - Spicy Calamari, Fresh Rigatoni and Tomato Sauce - The judges couldn't get over the hard pasta, although they thought his sauce/calamari was okay. Mike fessed up to knowing his pasta was undercooked, and I think that's why they spared him elimination this week.
ELIMINATED - Tre - Grilled Vegetable Risotto, Marinated Tomatoes and Fresh Basil - The judges didn't think it was loose enough and they argue with Tre about the correct consistency of a good risotto. They also thought the veggies were too big and too many and overmasked the flavor of the risotto itself.
Photo Credit - Bravo
Photo Credit - Bravo
