by Kylene Hamulak

 

"Iron Chef Food Court"

 

As Episode 6 opens, we've reached the halfway point in the competition. Nikki has come up with a new, less aggressive approach in response to The Network's suggestions. Instead of "Girl on Grill," she'll be using "Grill Next Door." It's nice to see she hasn't totally abandoned the "girly" wordplay, but I sort of feel like she may have missed the point when they noted that she was abrasive.

 

The next Star Challenge takes on the food court, though I can promise you that these recipes will not all be borne in a fryalator. Giada (in comically over enunciated manner) tells them they will be offering their dishes at a kiosk at New York's South Street Seaport where customers can both meet the chefs and sample the dishes they've prepared.

 

The teams are assigned the dishes they'll be serving at their kiosks. Team Bobby gets "The American Deli," which Michele thinks is dull. Team Giada, however, is excited to get Mexican, particularly with Martita in their kitchen. Team Alton also has no complaints with their Italian assignment.

 

As all of the teams brainstorm their menus, I'm ready to line up at Team Alton's "Littler Italy" and even "American Sandbar" - Team Bobby's seafood inspired kiosk - sounds like a good selection. (Sidenote: I don't eat things that swim, so "good selection" is as about as high praise as I can give right now.) Over at Team Giada, however, Linkie is getting anxious thanks to her lack of knowledge of Mexican dishes. Which makes this....what, the fourth challenge where she told us she doesn't really know about whatever it is she's supposed to be making?

 

Giada, Alton, and Bobby each warn their teams that they have to be prepared with a pitch and personalities when they meet the public. We'll see who actually listens to that advice.

 

While the chefs are busy running around the kitchen overcooking rice and shucking clams, Bobby, Giada, and Alton enter and tell everyone to stop for a moment to welcome Jeffrey Zakarian, of the Iron Chef team. He arrives with a domed tray beneath which sits the newest secret ingredient the chefs will be challenged to add to their dishes: chicken livers! One member of each team must use the ingredient, and Yvan steps up to the challenge, Michele accepts it for Team Bobby, and Justin - of course, Justin - is more than eager to add the chicken livers to his dish.

 

After frantically finishing up their day in the kitchen, the teams are headed to South Street Seaport with about an hour to get their kiosks set up and their food prepared. Each of the teams is having their own stress - Linkie's churros are more like biscotti, Nikki's fish has congealed, and Team Alton can't get their fryer oil hot enough to...well...fry.

 

Before the judges arrive, the teams serve to the public. Team Alton is all about personality until their frying begins, and they seemed to pull it off. Michele is working hard for Team Bobby to sell the chicken liver in the chowder, and Linkie seems to be trying to convince herself that her churro is delicious even more than she's selling it to the people!

 

Malcolm, who was specifically warned by Bobby to bring a lot of personality to his service, is also specifically mentioned by a diner who noted how busy he seemed. Nikki is described as "fluttering in the background" and she knows she hasn't been able to interact as much as she should have. As the judges approach, Team Bobby is the first kiosk to present, and Nikki gets called out for leading with ingredients instead of her story.

 

Nikki (SoCal Fish Taco) - Judges think her dish was a little tame and could've been kicked up a notch and that her presentation could've used more flavor as well.

 

Malcolm (Maryland Crab Cake) - Malcolm's crab cake gets an audible "ohhh" from the judges, who are very impressed with the dish. Bobby is concerned that, though he's seen glimmers of a star, "glimmers are not enough."

 

Michele (Clam Chowder with Chicken Liver Crouton) - Both her dish and her presentation were praised by the judges, who noted it was one of the best chowders they've tasted and that the croutons were "smart." They were also impressed by her role as "cheerleader" of the group.

Team Giada presents next, and Linkie once again gets a little too flustered when the judges arrive. She's not really able to tell her story, but at least she gets words out - Martita, who should have been completely comfortable and at home with Mexican cooking, can't think of single experience to share with the judges.

 

Martita (Guacamole and Chicken Tortilla Soup) - The judges are very disappointed by Martita's presentation (or lack thereof) and seem almost frustrated that she didn't take advantage of cooking in her comfort zone. They like her soup, but aren't impressed by the guacamole or her pitch.

 

Ippy (Hawaiian Chile Verde) - Ippy had a "playfulness" in his pitch, and while his dish wasn't remarkable, the judges are happy to see him growing out of his shell.

 

Linkie (Churro and Mexican Hot Chocolate) - There's no real surprise when Linkie's Churro doesn't get high marks and is described as "tough" and lacking flavor. The panel is concerned about her confidence level.

 

Yvan (Chicken Liver Tacos/Carne Tacos) - Yvan impresses the judges with his use of the chicken livers in his dish and say it was Yvan at his very best.

 

The judges' final stop is Team Alton's "Littler Italy." It seems to run smoothly, as all three chefs are confident in their presentations.

 

Justin (Frito Misto) - Justin consistently impresses the judges, and this challenge is no exception. They praise him for not only having amazing ideas, but also the skills to pull them off. Jeff Zakarian is bold enough to declare that he sees a star.

 

Martie (Rice Balls & Marinara) - Martie, on the other hand, has consistently had some trouble impressing the judges, but definitely does so with her rice balls. Not only do they like the taste and texture of the dish, but also how she really fused the Italian and her Southern tastes into one recipe.

 

Emily (Sweet Apple Dessert Panini) - The judges love Emily's dessert, and if I'm being honest, I have to admit I wouldn't mind having a bite myself. They praise her for the dipping sauce side as well as her "smartness" in describing, presenting, and creating.

 

Based on the overwhelming praise for all of his chefs, it's not a real surprise when Team Alton is quickly declared the winner. From Team Giada, Linkie is up for elimination - which is also not a surprise. The Team Bobby chef who will be up for elimination is Nikki. I guess Grill Next Door didn't go over as well as she'd hoped. Time for a new tagline!

 

The Producer Challenge Linkie and Nikki will be facing is to find a way to make chicken - the most commonly searched for ingredient on foodnetwork.com - extraordinary. Linkie decides to use her mother as inspiration, noting that she always knew how to make a dish "a work of art." Apparently this work of art requires her to use ALL the tomatoes in the kitchen, however, and Nikki isn't happy about it.

 

Oh, update: Grill Next Door lives on - Nikki promises to put some grill marks on Linkie!

 

Meeting with The Network, Nikki is the first up, presenting Chicken with Tzatziki Sauce. The judges seem happy with her pitch (and so does she), but I still think she's a little over the top. Linkie's dish - Spiced Rum Sauteed Chicken - starts with a story about her immigration from South Africa, and it's a nice way to introduce the dish. She's not as comfortable on camera as Nikki, but she's gotten better at keeping it together when she stumbles. The judges note that two chefs have opposite issues - Nikki can appear overconfident and abrasive, while Linkie is genuinely warm.

 

After The Network has made their decision, however, it is Linkie who is going home. All things considered, it was probably the right choice in the competition, since Nikki seems to be slightly more well-rounded as a chef, but part of me was rooting for Linkie to continue a little longer.

 

 

Food Network Star airs Sundays at 9/8c on Food Network

 

(Image courtesy of Food Network)