by Gina Scarpa

 

Tonight, on Top Chef: Texas, the Top 16 finally get their competition underway. Padma and guest judge Johnny Hernandez don't pull any punches when they deliver the first Quickfire - cooking rattlesnake. Best part of the challenge? Padma quoting Snakes On A Plane!

 

After tasting all of the dishes, Johnny felt that Paul, Richie, and Nyesha were the weakest, given that they didn't highlight the rattlesnake to the best of their abilities. Beverly, Dakota, and and Sarah, on the other hand, were the favorites. Dakota's Beer Battered Tempura Rattlesnake is named the best of the day and she wins $5,000 and the best prize of all: immunity.

 

Next up, everybody's favorite task - drawing knives to determine teams (pink and green) for the Elimination Challenge. Padma brings in Blanca Flores who will celebrate her quinceanera the following day. That means fabulous, amazing Mexican food for the big party! The teams will be cooking for 100 people and have to be sure to include a cake - of course.

 

With a budget of $1,500 teams split up and head to Whole Foods and a Mexican market. The pink team tries to figure out their menu while shopping, which doesn't seem like a good idea, while Beverly screams that she needs a butcher and seems to cut others in line.

 

Back in the kitchen, the pink teams comes up with this menu:
Keith and Lindsay: Pork Tenderloin Huarache with Pineapple Salsa
Nyesha: Ceviche with Crispy Plantain Chips and Spiced Popcorn
Chris C.: Choclo Con Chile
Ty-Lor and Nyesha: Carne Asada with Pinto Beans
Whitney: Green Chili Pozole

Ty-Lor: Fire Roasted Summer Fritter with Avocado Mousse
Keith: Enchiladas en Salsa Verde'
Sarah and Lindsay: Cochinita Pibil
Dakota: Pineapple Strawberry Cake

 

Lindsay is unhappy when she sees that the shrimp is already cooked and Chris jumps all over that, blaming Keith for the decision. Lindsay decides it must be sabotage. Hello paranoia!

 

The green's team menu is:
Paul: Shrimp Yuzu Ceviche with Corn Salsa and Yucca Chips
Richie: Tapioca Chicharron with Pork Carnitas
Grayson: Chicken in Ancho Pepita Mole with Pickled Red Onion, Crema, Lime
Edward: Tomatillo Gazpacho with Watermelon, Jicama, and Pork Rinds
Chris J.: Green Chile, Mushroom, and Oaxaca Cheese Empanadas
Beverly: Beef Short Rib Asada with Pina Kimchi
Chuy: Braised Goat Birria, Cabbage, Red Peanut Salsa, and Handmade Queso Fresco
Heather: Vanilla Tres Leches Cake

 

Given that Chuy is the only Mexican, his team smartly goes to him to check on the flavors to make sure they're authentic and spot on.

 

Turns out Blanca is one tough judge! I think she may have Top Chef in her future...

 

At Judges' Table, the panel decides that Ty-Lor Boring (oh yeah, that's a real name), Sarah, Lindsay, and Keith are on the chopping block. At this point, Dakota must be thanking her lucky stars that she won that Quickfire earlier. Keith takes a lot of heat for the pre-cooked shrimp and using flour tortillas instead of the corn. The best part is that everyone acts like Keith made these decisions on their own, when many of them okayed it. In fact, Sarah goes after him so hard that Keith calls her out for being a bus driver and backing it over him.

 

Because both teams lacked leadership, there was no winner, which didn't make for a very exciting finish. Despite the fact that Lindsay's dish failed (especially rough since she lived and cooked in Mexico), Keith takes the fall for the pink team and heads to Last Chance Kitchen to face Andrew... where he wins! Cook on, Keith!

 

Top Chef: Texas airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

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