by Gina Scarpa

On tonight’s episode of Top Chef: Las Vegas, the chefs are visited by chef Mark Peel, who brings a mountain of potatoes along with him for a quickfire challenge.  The challenge is actually fairly simple.  They’ll have 45 minutes to create an “out of this world” dish using potatoes.  Ash has the nerve to say that potatoes are boring.  If by boring, you mean awesome, Ash, then you are correct.  Ashley runs into a major problem when, with just minutes left, she has no boiling water for her gnocchi. 

Mark tells the contestants that he can certainly understand how difficult making dishes in such a short period of time can be, especially since he recently competed in Top Chef: Masters.  Regardless, he’s going to have to pick winners and losers here.  Eli’s yam and marshmallows, Ron’s yellowtail and yam, and Jesse’s sweet potato soup do not impress him.  Jesse continuously lands in the bottom and really needs to step up her game.  Jennifer’s mussels, Ash’s custard, and Ashley’s gnocchi are Mark’s favorite of the day.  Jennifer, who did not place in the top during last week’s elimination challenge, was named the winner.  Mike I. is aggravated, feeling that she’s being favored in the competition.  I don’t see how, Bitter Betty.  Calm yourself.

Immediately following the quickfire challenge, the chefs are greeted by Colonel Dave Belote, a commander in the Air Force.  They’ll have to report to Nellis Air Force Base and prepare a meal for 500 airmen.  Many of them have recently returned from combat overseas and others are about to deploy so this is certainly a meaningful challenge.   The chefs are thrown a wrench, though, when they’re told that they’ll have no idea what they’re cook with or on until they arrive at the base the next day.

What the chefs do know is that they’ll be working together in pairs, with the exception of Jennifer, who will step in where she’s needed.  Picking partners is always rough on someone… or someones… and it’s rough on Ron and Jesse.  No on seems to want to cook with them so they’re paired up by default.

At the kitchen the next day, the chefs are faced with a real problem.  There are no stoves, no pans, no blenders… there‘s not much of anything except for giant ovens. While some of the chefs complain, Mike V. points out that these airmen do this every day.  Considering what they contribute to this country, everyone can suck it up and deal with the situation they’ve been given.

Once the chefs are done cooking, the head to the Thunderbird hangar to serve their dishes to the troops.  Here are their dishes:
Bryan and Mattin: Greek salad with cucumbers, chickpeas, olives, and olive oil poached shrimp
Laurine and Preeti: Pasta salad with broccoli, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts
Jesse and Ron: New England clam chowder with roaster corn
Hector and Robin: Three-bean chili with roasted chicken
Eli and Kevin: Georgia style braised pork shoulders and potato salad
Mike I. and Mike V.: Braised pork belly with soy-mustard sauce and peanuts

At judges’ table, Padma asks to see Mike I., Mike V., Eli, and Kevin first.  Considering Gail said she’d eat that pork belly at any time on any day, it’s not surprising that the Mikes have made it into the top.  Mark Peel announces the winner and feels that the dish had great color, texture, and flavor.  The person responsible for that is Michael V.  YAY!  I’m a fan of the Voltaggio brothers. 

Mike I. is asked to stay, which means he goes from the winning group the losing group and I don’t really get why.  Preeti and Laurine are also asked to join him.  Mike is pissed at himself for his bland dish and promises to do better.  Preeti defends her dish with Laurine, feeling that it was better than a lot of the other dishes.  Gail feels it wasn't inventive but Preeti fires back, asking what is so inventive about clam chowder on a 90 degree day.  Touche.  After deliberating, it's time for a decision and Preeti will be headed home.  Upon her exit, she says that she cares more about what her customers will love to eat, not about what new, inventive thing she can come with.  She also seems satisfied with her experience on the show and can't imagine doing anything other than cooking.

Top Chef: Las Vegas airs Wednesday nights at 10pm ET on MTV.

(Image courtesy of MTV)

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