Okay, so last week we were fired up that “Top Chef All-Stars” would have a final five instead of a final four, but that would change last night. When they got to the Bahamas for the finale, I wondered if this was it, if this was the episode they would name the Top Chef. But it didn’t feel like a finale. So what it wound up being is a competition that would bring them down to four.

It started last night at Fort Charlotte, where the chef-testants would compete against the chefs that won their season–Stephanie, Hosea, Michael, and Kevin. The quick fire challenge would be to compete against the chef that won their respective season, using a secret ingredient chosen for them ahead of time. Mike was up against Michael Voltaggio, maybe the best chef in the history of the show, and they had duck; Antonia and Richard would square off against Stephanie using veal; Carla was up against Hosea using lamb; and Tiffany squared off vs. Kevin using pork. The winners would each take home $10K.

Mike beat Michael with his cashew dusted duck breast; Richard beat both Stephanie and Antonia (roasted veal with leeks and almond puree) with his seared veal loin and braised veal cap with carrots, raisins and potatoes; Carla lost to Hosea when she made harissa lamb with rice; and Tiffany beat Kevin with her pork stew with potatoes and peppers. So Tiffany, Mike and Richard had confidence heading into the elimination challenge.

That challenge was to cook for a dinner party for the King of Junkanoo. But whether it was a conspiracy or not, the deep fryer in the kitchen of the restaurant they were in caught fire, which forced them out of that kitchen and having to start over again. Antonia and Carla each changed their dishes as a result. At the judge’s table, host Padma Lakshmi was joined by Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Eric Ripert and of course, the King of Junkanoo. Tom said that overall, the dishes missed the mark.

But they did have a couple of favorites, and the winner this week was Mike (chicken, mushroom and lobster hash with yams). Richard was also safe, with his lamb loin “cannelloni” with pickled turnip). Richard, of course, thought his dish sucked, but the judges liked it enough to keep him around. So facing elimination were Carla (pork loin with sweet potatoes and apple chips); Antonia (fried shrimp over grits flavored with pork, and slaw); and Tiffany (roasted spiced pork with dirty rice). I thought that they said enough good things about Tiffany’s dish, and that it would come down to Carla and Antonia—and it was Carla. So Carla heads home and our final four is Antonia, Tiffany, Mike and Richard. Okay then. I still like Richard but any of them can win, and that’s how it should be.

I have to admit, I was very surprised that none of the chefs made a fish dish, though Antonia’s shrimp and Mike’s use of lobster were the only things from the ocean. Still, no fish, in the Bahamas? Kind of interesting, or maybe the presence of Eric Ripert coupled with the fear of losing were the reasoning behind that.

So who do you like now? I still like Richard, despite his own self-doubt. See you all next week!

If you follow “Top Chef All-Stars” on Bravo carefully, you know that Jamie has been skating for weeks. Whether it was a finger cut that required stitches, hiding when her dish should have been presented to judges, or playing it safe as others were eliminated for taking bigger risks, she just clearly didn’t belong here. With that, here is our recap of last night’s episode….

The show began with Jamie feeling quite lucky and being surprised that she was not eliminated last week, and rather that Casey was sent packing after the chicken feet debacle. Then they showed Marcel acting like a total douchebag toward Dale because Dale did not follow the challenge rules properly, yet won.

Then host Padma Lakshmi came in and announced that the chef-testants would be going to Montauk, Long Island, known to be the best fishing spot in the state based on the fact that it’s a good hundred miles or more from New York City into the Atlantic Ocean. There would be no quick fire challenge this week–only this elimination challenge in which they would break into four teams of three and catch fish, then create dishes based on that fish as well as a local produce market in Montauk for a beach-themed party in Brooklyn overlooking the East River. Atlantic Ocean, East River, same thing!
But this challenge was especially important to win because there would be a double elimination this week. Acclaimed seafood chef Kerry Heffernan would be a guest judge. PS–where the heck is Anthony Bourdain these days?

The teams were Fabio, Richard and Marcel; Jamie, Antonia and Tiffani; Angelo, Mike and Tiffany; and Dale, Carla and Tre. Dale was thankful he did not have to work with Marcel, and he also was gloating over catching a huge sea bass since his dad is a commercial fisherman.

It was interesting to note that the Richard/Marcel/Fabio team only made one dish, and as they were cooking head judge Tom Colicchio reprimanded them in a backhanded way, which was not a good sign heading into the party. He also found fault with the other teams too, however.

The winning teams were Dale/Carla/Tre (smoked bluefish lettuce wrap; fish taco with corn and avocado relish; and striped bass with gazpacho salad) and Tiffany/Mike/Angelo (striped bass with tomato, corn and watermelon; and pickled bluefish with watermelon, chiles and dill), and

The losing teams were Richard/Marcel/Fabio (sea bass with corn, tomato and some kind of weird foam) and Jamie/Antonia/Tiffani (porgie po boy with old bay mayo and slaw; striped bass with watermelon salad; and smoked bluefish with tomato, corn and zucchini )

The winner was Carla for her lettuce wrap, and her prize was a trip to Amsterdam…wow, the prizes on this show are amazing. And so Richard, Marcel, Fabio, Jamie, Tiffani and Antonia were all on the chopping block. The guys were berated for making one dish and the succotash not being very good and also for having too much going on on the plate that didn’t make sense. The ladies made three dishes and while Antonia was mostly guilty by association, Jamie (dish bland) and Tiffani (too fishy) failed the most and were sent home. Finally, Jamie was sent home. Whew. So Antonia, Fabio, Richard and Marcel were safe.

Now we are down to 10 chefs, and the show is moving along nicely. Who do you like? Who do you think will win? I’m picking Dale, Carla, Richard and Angelo as my final four, but all of them have surprised at various points, because, after all, it’s Top Chef “all stars.” See you next week everyone…

Last night’s episode of “Top Chef All-Stars” was mostly shot at the site of the US Open tennis tournament in Flushing, New York, which took place back in August and September. Anyway, host Padma Lakshmi along with Top Chef Master Tony Mantuano announced the quickfire challenge, which was to make some sort of holiday stuffing. Of course, they couldn’t make it that easy. The chef-testants were asked to do this without using any utensils and having to be as resourceful as possible. The winner would receive both immunity this week AND $20K. Wow.

Tony’s least favorites were Carla’s quinoa, which she jokingly referred to as “undente,” meaning it was not cooked enough. She knew it and so did Tony. He also didn’t like Tiffani’s sweet maple stuffing because it was too sweet; and Casey’s mushroom dish, which didn’t really resemble stuffing at all. His faves were Tre’s cheddar/bacon/chili cornbread stuffing; and Marcel’s stuffing with raisin brioche, cherries and currants. Tre was the winner, so he had immunity this week as well as a cool 20 grand. Nice!

For the elimination challenge, they had to break into teams by choosing tennis ball cans. There were orange balls and yellow balls and the challenge was culinary tennis, as chefs from each team would compete one on one for a point, and the team to four points first won. The premise was that they were cooking for the tennis players, and Taylor Dent was one of the judges along with regulars Padma, Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and also Mantuano. Anyway, those who lost a point for their team were possibly up for elimination.

The teams were Fabio, Dale, Marcel, Mike, Antonia, Richard, Carla vs. Tiffani, Casey, Tiffany, Angelo, Spike, Tre and Jamey. Fabio went up against Casey first, but Casey’s team wanted to send Jamey out first because their strategy was the worst dish went first in order to lose a point and then finish strong. They knew Jamey’s chick peas were not cooked all the way through, and yet she stayed back, saying her dish wasn’t complete. Casey was pissed, especially when she and her pork tenderloin with cherries and farro lost to Fabio who made potato gnocchi with pork ragout. Tiffani’s bass sashimi beat Dale’s edamame dumpling to tie the score. Angelo’s smoked tuna on a spoon beat out Marcel’s cauliflower cous cous over tuna; Antonia’s scallops and lentils beat Tiffany’s spiced tuna. Tie score again. Richard’s Thai-bouleh with lamb beat Spike’s tomato tamarind soup with shrimp. Then Carla got her team the win by having her African peanut soup beat out Tre’s salmon dish.

So there were a few problems here. One, the team with Jamey allowed her to skate AGAIN. She did this a few weeks ago with the museum challenge when cutting her finger. She didn’t get her dish up against Mike Isabella’s smoked chicken, and had no shot to go home. Also, Angelo “helped” Tre, who had immunity, and screwed up his fish on purpose…allegedly. He also added some weird “gelee” to Spike’s shrimp as they were plating. Of course they were both up for elimination. Angelo is no dummy, but he’s also a sneaky bastard.

Anyway, the favorite dishes were Fabio, Carla, Richard and Antonia, and Carla won—her prize was a trip to Italy. Imagine if Fabio won that? Ha! Okay, that wasn’t that funny. The bottom four were Casey, Tiffany, Spike and Tre. But Tre was already safe. The judges asked Tiffany, since she was in Season 7 with Angelo, if he typically “helped” others and sabotaged them. She kind of smirked and said she didn’t think so. Um, okay. Casey was pissed that she was there, mostly because Jamey wasn’t, and she was fidgeting like Jen did a couple weeks ago. But in the end, Spike was sent home, thanks in part to Angelo’s “gelee” on his shrimp, but also because it apparently didn’t taste very good overall.

So that’s it, we’re now down to 13 chefs, and this season is just heating up. One thing is for sure though….Jamey isn’t long for this thing. Her strategy is to skate, while Angelo’s is to sabotage others around him. So I predict Jamey will be sent packing soon, while Angelo will reach the Final Four like he did in Season 7. I mean, the guy can cook, but still…. Happy holidays everyone, and see you next week!

Thankfully, last night’s episode of “Hell’s Kitchen” on Fox was just one hour, or one episode instead of two lumped into one. They must have realized that if they kept doubling them up, the show would be over by Thanksgiving. Anyway, here is our recap of last night, and we’re now down to five chefs!

Initial challenge: Amuse-bouche (quick bite) challenge with guest judges Ludo Lefebvre, Quinn and Karen Hatfield, Suzanne Tracht, and Michael Cimarusti
Mistakes: One judge said Nona’s shrimp and grits smelled like “body odor.” Ouch! And Trev’s frog legs were also a mess
Winner: Russell, for his hamachi broth
Prize: Tour of LA Market, and lunch with Gordon Ramsay and executive chef Kerry Simon. Russell was allowed to bring one person with him and he chose Gail since she finished second in the challenge
Punishment: Cleaning the dorms and having to listen to Trev whine
Dinner service: Tableside Steak Diane
Mistakes: Gail undercooked scallops; Trev overcooked pasta; Gail’s fish stuck to the pan; Jillian over-salted mashed potatoes; Gail “poached” her grilled salmon; Russ’ beef was raw in the middle. Ramsay pulled them all aside and said, “No more mistakes!” They straightened up for a bit before screwing up more. Russ’ steak was raw again, and that set Ramsay off.
Quote: Ramsay, to all chefs: “Get out!”
Winner: No winner. The remaining six chefs had to come up with a consensus two nominees for elimination
On the block: Trev and Sabrina. Sabrina started whining, though, about how she thought Gail screwed up more than she did and waah, waah, waah! Man, she’s annoying.
Going home: Sabrina, because the producers have mercy on us.
So that’s it, we’re down to the final five—Trev, Nona, Russ, Gail and Jillian. Does that seem to you like the weakest final five ever? You have to believe it’s Russ’ job to lose. But we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading!

I realized something last night. I realized that “Hell’s Kitchen” on Fox jumped the shark about three seasons ago. Not that I didn’t think this before, but as I sat there watching with my wife, I realized that we used to really look forward to this show, and now it’s just something I blog about, and at times it pains me to do that. I mean, it’s the same format, the same challenges in the same order, the same everything with this show. Anyway, with that, here is my recap of last night’s double episode…oh, but first…remember Ramsay left us hanging before the baseball playoffs started, and asked Trev to step forward? He just sent him back to the blue team….as if we didn’t all see that coming.

EPISODE 1

Initial challenge: Blind taste test (palate challenge)
Mistakes:Gail thought black truffles were watercress, and Rob missed all four of his tastings
Winner: Red team, again
Prize: lunch and shopping spree
Punishment: separating recyclables in the trash and prepping kitchen for dinner service
Dinner service: no special theme
Mistakes: Rob could not properly cook scallops; Nona messed up chicken; Rob was slow on halibut; Vinny cooked an egg until it was hard inside a bed of spinach; Russ tried to serve raw chicken. Ramsay told Russ, Rob, Vinny, and Nona to “GET OUT!”
Quote: Ramsay, to Nona: “Get out of my f—king way!”
Winner: Red team, and Trev was best of the worst and had to nominate two teammates for elimination
On the block: Russ and Rob
Going home: Rob, which sent Russ into a jock/testosterone-infused rage because he didn’t feel he should be on the block. Whatever dude, you’re only in it for yourself.

EPISODE 2

Initial challenge: Team relay, creating three dishes in 30 minutes, with 5 minute relay times.
Mistakes: Red team, Jillian dropped salmon on floor; both teams served raw green beans
Winner: Blue team, barely
Prize: Shopping spree at cooking supply store, and nice lunch
Punishment: unloading delivery trucks
Dinner service: : Teams would get to create their own menus. Mrs. Mike pointed out that Ramsay did not critique either menu, which was odd.
Mistakes: Vinny forgot to fire up lamb completely, and it was for the table of the chef who served the blue team lunch earlier that day—yikes. Then he didn’t cook it enough; Gail served raw lobster more than once; Vinny served raw fish
Quote: “Get out!”–Ramsay to Gail
Winner: Neither team. He then asked each chef to nominate one contestant from either team for elimination.
On the block: Every red team member chose Trev, and Sabrina also had at least one nomination. Ramsay asked Trev to step forward, and said that even though he wasn’t popular, he should take his jacket off and…”Put on this black jacket!” Ramsay then handed out black jackets until only Gail and Vinny remained. He asked Gail to step forward and take off her jacket, and the music for elimination played and everything, but then Ramsay gave her a black jacket. Oh those tricky producers!
Going home: Vinny. You just don’t forget to serve lamb to the most important diner in attendance that night and not pay for it. But the dude had some flaws beyond that.

So there you have it, folks. We’re now down to seven chefs, and we’re getting closer to the finale after a month lay-off. See you next week, I just heard Ramsay yell to me, “Get Out!”