Top Chef Twists Up The Finale By With Second Chances

Tonight Top Chef began its two part finale in New Orleans where next week either Stefan, Fabio, Hosea or Carla will become the next Top Chef. After a few months/weeks being off the show all four met back up looking a bit different. Carla had straighter hair, Fabio had a mohawk while both Hosea and Stefan were both still bald. For their first challenge back on the show Emeril Lagasse would be their guest judge. The first Quick Fire was a bit interesting considering they wouldn’t be competing. Jamie, Jeff and Leah then walked out of a huge mansion and it was somewhat creepy. Why is Leah back!?!?!??! The three now had a chance to get back into the competition and the winner of the Quick Fire would join the four in the elimination challenge for a chance to win. It’s not really fair, but its a common reality twist which Top Chef did do well. So I commend them considering NOBODY saw this coming.

To get back into the challenge the three had to make a craw fish dish. Of course Leah, who I thought I was rid of, didn’t know how to cook craw fish so things are (thankfully) looking good. After their limited time to cook it was time for Emeril to taste their dishes. Leah made a craw fish soup, Jeff made craw fish and grits while Jamie made corn cake with craw fish sauce. None of the judges really had any words of positive or negative, all were neutral so it was anyone’s game to return. Emeril ended up choosing Jeff and yet another twist was revealed: Jeff had to WIN the elimination challenge to stay, he didn’t even have to go to Judge’s Table to be eliminated. After Jamie and Leah went for their second time the final five were off to Emeril’s restaurant. There they talked about one of them winning the game and all wanted it. Fabio wanted it to help support his mother while Carla wanted it to help support her husband and step son. The other guys, Stefan and Hosea, started bickering yet again. Apparently nothing has changed since leaving New York.

The next morning the chefs arrived for their elimination challenge at a Mardi Gras warehouse. Inside were several parade floats decorating the area. Padma was inside and let them know that their task was to create two dishes and a cocktail for a famous parade group. One of their dishes had to be in “creole” style, which is a local style. Not only were they playing for immunity but for a car as well. The winner of the challenge received a Toyota Benza, I wouldn’t take it but hey its a nice prize I guess. Once they were finished at the Mardi Gras warehouse it was off to Emeril’s kitchen for the chefs to prepare. All five chefs seemed to have an idea what they wanted to do, it was just figuring out how to do it in the limited time. Carla’s big issue was shucking oysters, 150 of them, while Hosea was simply worried about getting to the final three. Jeff’s worry was much larger though considering he had to WIN the challenge to stay. He has a lot of things going against him but pulling out the win would be HUGE. Fabio made things difficult for himself by creating a difficult dish, but he wanted to make himself stand out. Hopefully he can do well since I feel he deserves  win.

During preparation Stefan wasted a ton of time by smoking and simply playing around. Jeff called him out for using pre-made sausage, which could foreshadow a huge disappointment for Stefan. Tom’s view of the chefs was a bit disappointing as he felt their actions weren’t what they should be. He felt Carla should have steamed her oysters, saving time, while Stefan should have used his time more wisely. With their time up to prepare it was time to move onto the museum for the elimination challenge. They were catering for a masquerade ball and were given a bartender each to help with that end of the deal. Gail returned to help judge, kicking out Toby Young, which is good considering he was annoying. As they got things ready last minute Hosea realized he didn’t have any serving utensils. He asked around but considering it IS the finals nobody is going to help him. That’s what he gets for being attached to Debby Downer Leah!

With the masqueraders entering the museum the chefs were getting nervous as the number of guests surpassed the original 100. Jeff’s table was up first and Emeril seemed to like him, calling Jeff a “refined cook”. Hmmm he might just stay after all. Next up was Stefan who was very confident in staying, being that he won 10 challenges. Some of the eaters didn’t like the gumbo but the judges sure loved him it seems. Fabio’s table was of course the most fun and seemed to be the worst off so far. There was something “missing” with his dish and Emeril pegged it as heat. Carla’s table seemed to go over really well with the eaters as they loved her non-alcoholic drink. Emeril said her table had the most New Orleans inspired dishes which makes it seem like Carla is auto-final three. Last but not least was Hosea who had a neutral crowd pleasing. His gumbo went over all but his other did not, at least by those eating on the floor.

Following the party it was time for the second to last Judges Table. Two were going home as Jeff had to win the challenge to stay in the game. The judges gave some critiques to the final five on their dishes but none really had a bad review. They all did well but it seems that Fabio and possibly Stefan did the worst. Fabio’s dishes were missing heat while Stefan’s mouth could have gotten him in trouble. He basically pulled a Leah by saying it doesn’t matter if he goes home. BAD move Stefan, now they think he doesn’t want to be there! After the judges discussed who should win and go home, Emeril revealed that Carla was the winner! With Carla winning her Elimination Challenge she also won the car and also sent home Jeff. He didn’t really stand that much of a chance, but at least he gave it a good go! With Carla and now Hosea safe, that meant that either Fabio or Stefan was going home. It sucks that both couldn’t make it to the finals and sadly Fabio was chosen to pack his knives and go. That means the final three cooking off for the $250,000 in the finale are Carla, Hosea and Stefan. I’d like to see Fabio in there instead of Hosea but it should be a great showdown as Top Chef 5 New York concludes next week. Tune in as I’m sure it will be a great ending!

Source: RealityRehash.com