by Chandra Clewley

 

 

On this week’s episode of Top Chef Masters Season 2, we are left with Marcus, Susan, Susur, Jonathan and Rick. The show gets started with a Quick Fire challenge to identify the Ingredients. Susur is confident because he has a good palette, but Susan is a little freaked out. The goal is to try the same sauce and name as many ingredients that are in it.

 

First, they draw to see who goes and of course, Jonathan gets to sit out a round. Rick says that this is because he has the “Force”. The first sauce is a Chasseur with 19 ingredients. Marcus and Susur go head to head first, and Susur wins, naming 6 ingredients. Then, Susan and Rick go against each other and Susan loses by naming the wrong thing. Next, Susur, Jonathan and Rick are up for the second round with a Thai Green Curry sauce. Jonathan goes out in this round guessing butter which is does not have in it. The last round is between Susur and Rick, and they taste a Lobster Sauce with 30 ingredients. Rick ends up winning and Susur is “pissed” that there is no garlic in the sauce.

 

For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs draw knives and each gets a Greek god. They will create a dish inspired by this god. Susur is lost on this challenge as he isn’t familiar with Greek mythology.

 

The chefs get to work and they all seem to want seafood. Jonathan, who has Poseidon, wants scallops but so does everyone else. Rick is happy to have received Hades, and gets going on his hellacious menu. Susur has no idea what to do with Dionysus, which is so unfortunate! He would be a blast to channel for most culinarians. 

Susur who has Dionysus, serves: Roasted Pork Loin in Chinese Wine, Croquette with Feta, Santorini Olives. Jay says it is very Susur, and very precise. Gail likes that he kept his own style by using Chinese wine, but Gael thinks he missed the mark by not understanding the god he was cooking for, and maybe it should have been a juicy rib of pork, not loin.

 

Marcus has Ares, and cooks Cured Beef and Salmon with Apple Broth and Oyster Foam. Marcus was channeling the warriors of Ethiopia who would eat everything raw and tartar to avoid a smoke plume giving away their whereabouts. Jay says it is compelling but Gail thinks it is a bit muddy.

 

Susan, who has Aphrodite, has made Toast with Coconut Jam and Sweet Butter, Fried Egg with White Pepper and Dark Soy. Gail wishes it was hotter and loves the coconut jam.

 

Rick, who has Hades, puts forth a Spice Crusted Swordfish, Crimson Potatoes, Daikon, Radishes and Parsnips. He has channeled root vegetables and Gail thinks it is delicious and earthy. Gael loves the wild aspect to it.

 

Jonathan has Poseidon and he has made Seared Scallops, Romesco Sauce, Cherry Tomatoes, String Beans and Celery Puree. Jay says that the flavors are big and bold but feels the scallop was over flavored. Gail agrees.

 

In the end, Marcus and Rick take the lead, with Rick winning. And because they feel it wasn’t advanced enough for this point in the competition, Susan is sent home.

 

Catch an all new episode of Top Chef Masters  next Wednesday, 10/9 c on Bravo.

 

(Images courtesy of Bravo)

 

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

 

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