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:
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