by Chandra Clewley

 

Last night on Top Chef Masters Season 2, we were down to only four chefs left: Susur, Marcus, Jonathan and Rick. We immediately begin the Quick Fire challenge with the four remaining chefs cookbooks sitting near the chefs. First, the guys pair up. Jonathan and Marcus. Susur and Rick. Then they are instructed to swap recipes. Marcus wants to give Jonathan’s recipe a more worldly approach, while Jonathan wants to take some of the fire out of Marcus’s curry. Rick is intimidated by Susur’s complex dishes while Susur struggles with missing photos and difficult English in Rick’s cook book.

 

Once they get started, Kelly comes in and changes up the challenge by telling the chefs to keep the integrity of the dish but turn it into a soup. 

 

Jonathan’s dish is: Chicken Thai Curry Soup with Thai Basil. James says that it is “very thick, like porridge, but it tastes good. It is mild.”

Marcus’ dish is: Chicken Soup with Crispy Tortilla Chips and Avocado Goat Cheese Guacamole. James “loves the lime.”

Susur makes: Tunisian Fish Soup with Olives, Capers, White Wine, Cumin and Coriander Seeds. James thinks it is really good but a little held back.

Lastly, is Rick who makes: Scallop, Mussel and Pancetta Asian Style Cioppino. James thinks it is an abundant soup with not enough broth. 

Marcus takes the win for the first time on the show.

 

The chefs think they have the night off, and they are attending an Improv at The Groundlings. During the show, they find out that they will be improvising a dinner for the cast of The Groundlings.  

 

Marcus is assigned with: Violet Pleasure Salmon and turns out a Confit of Salmon with Caviar, Shrimp, and Sake. Kelly thinks the “salmon is perfect.” Some of the people at the table think that the plate should have been edited more. 

 

Rick is assigned with: Red, Anger, Bacon. He presents: Pork Loin, Poached Oysters, Bacon and Spicy Kimchi Cream. Gail Simmons loves the oysters but the loin is a bit too rate.

 

Jonathan is assigned with: Burnt Sienna, Depression and Avocadoes. He decides to make:  Mesquite Grilled Chicken Breast, French Fries, Yams and Avocado with Grapefruit. They love the meat and potatoes aspect but is it complex enough?

 

Lastly, Susur is assigned with Chocolate Lust and Peanut Butter. He makes: Chocolate Mousse with Coriander and Caramel, Peanut Butter Mousse, Chocolate Crumble. The judges think it is delicious but is it overkill?

 

In the end, Marcus takes the wine for the first time, Susur and Rick are safe, and Jonathan is eliminated! 

 

Catch the Top Chef Masters Season 2 finals next Wednesday, 10/9 c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

 

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

For more Top Chef Masters links visit Sirlinksalot.net