by Chandra Clewley

 

Tonight’s Top Chef Masters Season Two there are only five chefs left to compete in the first level for the final two spots in the champion round. Susur Lee, Rick Tramanto, Maria Hines, Debbie Gold, and Jody Adams.  All but Susur have been awarded a James Beard. 

 

The Quick Fire Challenge is to create the perfect fruit plate presentation. Gail Simmons and Stephen Hamilton, Food Photographer are the judges on this challenge. Kelly Choi announces that this is a High Stakes Quick Fire, meaning the winner goes on to the Champion’s Round.  Debbie isn’t so into fruit and is nervous about Stephen judging her food. Rick knows that presentation and knife skills are going to be critical in this challenge and he sees Susur as one of the astronauts of culinary arts and his biggest competition. Maria feels the pressure and wants to do an appetizer, entrée and dessert on one plate. 

 

Debbie presents a Pecan Tempura Stuffed Fig with persimmon and tangerine.

The judges think this is visually powerful but there isn’t enough taste.

 

Jody serves Fig & Walnut Tart with Mediterranean Pomegranate Syrup and Zabaglione

The judges like all the great layers on this dish.

 

Maria serves Northwest Trio of Apple Soup, Grilled Fig Moustard and Fresh Berries with Berry Mousse.

Visually the judges like the simplicity, but Gail doesn’t know why it’s all on the same plate and misses the appetizer/entrée/dessert idea.

 

Susur creates a East Meets West Fruit Plate with Ravioli with Blackberries and Thai Basil.

Gail and Stephen think there is no focus, and too much going on.

 

Rick makes a Herb and Fruit Salad Shooters with a Versace cup and a blessing.

Judgment: Lots of pretty elements, the cup and the blessing add to the playfulness.

 

Jody takes the win in the Quick Fire Challenge and wins $5000 for her charity plus a spot in the next level. 

 

For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs are asked to make a family dinner that is modernized. They will be serving it to the cast and crew of the television show Modern Family. They have 4 hours to prep in the Top Chef kitchen and then they must serve it on the lot. 

Susur is still pissed off about getting the lowest score in the Quick Fire Challenge. He calls his wife, and she tells him to buck up and get in the fight. Debbie plays with the idea of Pork Chops and Applesauce from The Brady Bunch and decides on Pork Belly. After prepping for an hour and a half, Debbie realizes her pork belly isn’t cooking at all, and she is very worried. Maria is making almond milk. Debbie thinks that if she were to win Top Chef Masters it would be better than winning her James Beard Award. 

 

The next day with 2 ½ hours to go, Debbie has decided to fry the pork belly, upon Maria’s suggestion. Susur is entertained by Debbie, as she runs around crazy and then all of a sudden she is done before anyone else. When the chefs take their food to the lot of Modern Family, they set up their service stations and although none of them are used to the catering aspect, they all make do.

 

Debbie serves a Glazed Pork Loin with Apple Butter and Winter Squash Slaw.

 

Susur makes a Roasted Chicken and Farce Curry dish with Polenta Grits, Tomato Jam, and Chili Mint Curry.

 

Channeling the Northwest, Maria decides on a Sockeye Salmon, Paprika Potatoes with Almond Slivers and Almond Milk.

 

Jody, although immune, still wants the $10,000 prize, and serves a Braised Chicken Thigh with Mushrooms, with Semolina Gnocchi and Herb Salad.

 

Rick serves Truffle White Beans with Escarole Grilled Sausage. 

 

Susur’s dish goes over great but Gael thinks that mint chutney is spicy for a family meal, the rest of the judges call it clear, distinct and delicious.  Everyone loves Maria’s salmon even though she is worried about it sitting in a chafing dish to stay warm. They love the sauce too. Gail thinks Jody’s braised chicken thighs are too salty and muddled. Rick’s escarole goes over well; it is multilayered, although it might not be modern enough and there may not be enough truffles in it. Debbie’s pork dish is too sweet with the butter and jus combining and the result is a bit cloying. 

 

In the end, with the highest points in Top Chef Masters history, Susur takes the competition with 19 ½ stars, each judge having given him 5 stars and the diners giving him 4 ½ stars. Good thing he decided to get in the fight!

Next Wednesday don’t miss the first Champion’s Round!

 

Top Chef Masters airs on Wednesday’s 10/9 c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

Follow Chandra at http://twitter.com/ChandraClewley

 

For more Top Chef Masters visit Sirlinksalot.net