The end of the season for a show like Bravo's Top Chef is always bittersweet. Like a good chocolate, you want to finish it off, but you also sort of wish that it could go on. Come to think of it, this season might be more like the "finishing off" chocolate, since there has been so much drama that it will almost be a relief to see it end. Almost.
Last night was the first part of the show's season finale and it started off by giving viewers a sneak peek into what the chefs have been doing for the past few months during the break between the main taping and the filming of the finale. Marcel and Sam spent the time practicing their technique, with Marcel trying to learn as much as possible about new ingredients and presentations and Sam learning about pastry, which he felt was a weak spot in his training. Elia and Ilan each spent time learning about Hawaiian food, but neither actively tried to learn as much new information as their competitors.
After their breaks, the chefs all met up in the first class cabin on a flight to Hawaii. Everyone - including Elia, surprisingly - was a bit snarky about Marcel, who commented that it was awkward sitting with them after hearing the unkind things that they had said about him during the season. He seemed to take it all in stride by reminding himself that this was a competition and not a popularity contest, however.
When they got off the plane, all four immediately were ushered into a helicopter and flown off to lunch with the judges, where they ate traditional Hawaiian food - poi, lau lau, lomi lomi, poke and more - that had been prepared by guest chef Alan Wong. The Chef filled in the contestants on the history of Hawaiian food, ingredients and the methods of preparation for each dish. Immediately after the meal, Padma announced that the first elimination challenge, which would cut the number of contestants in half, would be held the following day.
The elimination challenge required the chefs to each prepare two dishes for 30 people who were gathering to celebrate Alan Wong's birthday. The chefs were instructed to take traditional Hawaiian dishes and put their own twists on them and were to be judged on taste, presentation and how well they reworked the original Hawaiian dish.
Sam was up first with
- Opakapaka (Hawaiian Snapper) Poke with Seabeans
- Mascarpone Mousse with Hawaiian Salted Coconut Milk & Citrus Tuile
Elia made
- Poke Tuna with Olives and Capers
- Steamed Hawaiian Red Snapper
Ilan made
Marcel made
- Hamachi Poke with Pineapple Poi
- Salmon Lomi Lomi with Tomato and Chili Water Foam
All of the dishes were good and the judges honestly seemed impressed by the work that all of the chefs did, as did the guests at Chef Wong's birthday party. There were only a few points that were criticized. Sam, for example, did not actually cook anything (except the tuile cookie on his dessert) and played it very safe by sticking with very typical Hawaiian flavors. Elia went too far from Hawaii and, despite the names of her dishes, they could have been served anywhere as Mediterranean food. Ilan's haupia was a bit too saffron-y for some of the guests, but was very well received. He was the only chef to use taro in his dishes, although Padma said she didn't think hers were cooked quite enough.
When it came down to the final judging, Marcel's food was declared a complete success, both beautiful and adventurous. He was immediately put into the final round. Ilan was also sent to the final round, as his well-rounded foods really pleased the judges' palates, despite the fact that he has stuck to only Spanish flavors for most of the season. Elia and Sam, since they didn't quite meet the guidelines set up in the challenge, were both asked to leave.
The final culinary battle should be an interesting one, as the two top chefs both now seem to have more than just a friendly desire to beat the other out for the title of Top Chef.
Only one episode left! Check out the previous recaps here:
Cheese Course: Brebis Pardou
A transcendent summer tomato salad
Sliced bread turns 80 today
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-25-2007 @ 4:58PM
lion said...
I was so mad that sam got sent home. Elan should have gone and what's worse, as much of a jerk as marcel is, he's a much better chef than Elan. Elan is going to get obliterated. I can't understand why they booted sam.
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1-25-2007 @ 8:26PM
Aaron said...
I think the judges made the right choices in Marcel and Ilan.
Sam has been the most consistent throughout the competition, but he blew it when it counted the most.
It's been very clear that the judges award taking risks and he didn't take any at all.
That said, I hope Marcel destroys Ilan. Who, for all the crap he gave Marcel about doing foams, abused saffron just as bad if not worse than Marcel did with the foams.
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1-25-2007 @ 8:26PM
Angela Pitt said...
I'm sure neighbors heard my scream when I saw that
they asked Sam to pack his knives. I think they
wanted a throw down between Ilan and Marcel, and
may the best chef win. Well, the best chef was Sam
and they screwed up big time. At least he won the
ten grand for being the favorite chef throughout the
competition. We won't be seeing the last of him or
Elia, I'm sure.
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1-25-2007 @ 8:26PM
Nate Riley said...
Marcel is only hated because he is the best chef i think xanthan gum was just so amazing who would of thought use thst it used in may prepared food but he uses it infresh food to keep the fresh pine apple flavor pine apple is so tastey and to have it like a light airy poi (pudding) is such a great idea .Try to think why do they hate marcel he never did anything that bad he looks like a douche but his persoality is nice and its about the FOOD any way ive cooked 5 of his dishs and the poi i cooked tonight its great.
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1-25-2007 @ 11:45PM
Christy said...
First off; Nate, punctuation, please! That was hard to read. :)
I was so upset when they sent Sam home. What a crock. I'm not even go to watch the finale. I don't want the food on my plate to come from a mad scientist disguised as a chef. Marcel is an idiot.
What really made me angry was their own contradictory actions. They kicked Cliff off because of a prank gone wrong (hated his smug attitude, also) even though the next day all parties agreed it went to far and all was forgiven. But, when complaints about Marcel were made they said they didn't care about their behavior. What??? I don't understand that. Cliff was forced out because of his behavior, but Marcel wasn't.
Somebody please explain to me what I'm missing. Was it because Cliff got physical with Marcel? (Even thought I think they both deserve a good wallop - which Marcel received - as he claims - from a stranger in a Vegas bar.)
Either way, I really thought it should have been Sam and Elia. She has a true passion about and appreciation of food that I don't think the others have. Ilan is okay, but I don't think he has the skills. And Marcel, just... ugh! Again, the food experiments are distasteful.
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1-26-2007 @ 7:27PM
Gary said...
It was a good selection, pitting Ilan and Marcel against each other. Now, Ilan will have to quit the sniping at Marcel and just cook. The finale will decide what kind of cook he really is.
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1-26-2007 @ 7:28PM
David Schloss said...
They had to kick Cliff off. He violated his contract, the legal agreement under which he's participating. He physically assaulted a contestant. He HAD to go because he broke the legal contract under which he was participating.
When Ilan and Elia complained that marcel had cheated, they had nothing to back that up with. No one saw him cheating, neither of them had anything to add except that he'd moved a pot.
That little outburst at the judge's table was childish, and I'm sorry that Ilan is still in the competition, regardless of what I think of the level of quality of the chefs.
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1-29-2007 @ 3:51PM
Ima Wurdibitsch said...
Part of being a Top Chef is being able to work with and lead a team. Marcel might have the molecular gastronomy fine-tuned but he needs to mature and work on his people skills before gaining the title. Sam inspired and encouraged those around him. He was a true leader. I'm sad he's gone.
I believe the final pairing is due to the hopes of the producers that drama = viewers. I think they'll find, in this case, that isn't so. The people who watch Top Chef aren't your typical reality TV viewers. Not to speak for everyone who watches but I believe that most of us are foodies or wanna-be foodies.
Bad move, Top Chef.
http://wordybitch.blogspot.com
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2-01-2007 @ 8:13PM
Sandi said...
I truly enjoy the whole concept of Top Chef...but I feel that the show allows the contestants to use horrific cussing and foul language most inappropriate for these top level talents. I would love my kids to watch this program, but don't want to validate such unbelievably crass interaction between adults...It is not only demeaning, but brutal listen to. Fighting between grown-ups?? At times, looked like a kindergarten brawl...
Marcel gets my vote...he is very creative in his presentations and artistry. He was always the scape goat to everyone's bad day. I am sure they were all annoying at some point.
Please clean up the show so the young budding chefs will be encouraged to be professional in their endeavors and we older kitchen junkies can listen without feeling degraded. Thanks, Sandi
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2-03-2007 @ 10:15PM
Gary said...
As I've watched this season, I've been amazed at the reaction of viewers: how they've canonized Sam and demonized Marcel. And how everyone had focused on Marcel's social faux pas but never looked at how Ilan fueled the anger that others felt about Marcel. I think it's got to be plain to everyone that Ilan is as lacking in social skills as Marcel.
However, all that means nothing. He can't stomp on Marcel to please Sam or get brownie points from the rest of the group because they are all gone. And, thank goodness, Chef Tom put him on notice that the judges don't care about his petty hatred of Marcel. If he's going to win, it will have to be about the cooking.
It will be a close finale, I think. Marcel and Ilan are worlds apart in cooking styles and personalities but their cooking skills are quite evenly matched. I look forward to seeing what they come up with in their last challenge!
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