by Gina Scarpa

No sooner did Josie head to Last Chance Kitchen, that Padma and Tom let the final five know that they'll leave the following day on an Alaskan cruise. After Brooke takes a few deep breaths, and the cheftestants board the boat, they meet up with Padma and guest judge Curtis Stone for a mega-long Quickfire. In two hours, they have to create two hundred portions of a one-bite dish featuring iceberg lettuce. Iceberg, right ahead!! ... I couldn't help myself.

All of the dishes went over well, as they should when we're at the final five, but someone has to win. The only negative feedback was that a few were a little more difficult to eat than others in one bite. Sheldon's Vietnamese wrap reigns supreme but of course, there's no immunity this late in the game!

After a spa treatment and dinner together, Padma and Tom deliver the Elimination challenge: reinvent the classic dish, surf and turf. Here's a moment where I'm wishing I could try all of the dishes - is there anything better than steak and seafood together? Ah, here's where the Quickfire win pays off. Sheldon gets to choose his proteins first. He goes with lobster tail and beef tenderloin (safe choice), Josh takes scallops and pork belly, Lizzie chooses pork and scallops, Stefan chooses pork belly and eel, and Brooke goes way out of the box with frog's legs and mussels.

Brooke serves first to Padma, Tom, Hugh, Curtis, and executives from the cruise ship, who immediately compliment her on being inventive. Tom feels that the sauce that was served with Stefan's dish was way too greasy and everyone feels his pork is too crunchy, except for Curtis who defends it by saying that's how people cook it overseas. Josh, who had to change his dish last minute after not liking the direction he was going in with a pasta, manages to pull it off. The flavors work and he showed that he can think outside of the box - even though he used bacon. Again. Sheldon wants to be known for more than Asian food and yet, he keeps making Asian food. Tom likes the presentation, but Hugh is annoyed that he attempted tempura again and failed. Lizzie's dish falls apart when the panel tries to eat but is saved by fact that it's tasty, which should keep her out of the bottom.

At Judges' Table, Brooke's big risk pays off and she is named the winner.  For her prize, she receives a 7 day cruise so hopefully, her fear of boats is cured for good after this positive experience. Sheldon and Stefan find themselves in trouble - Sheldon, for playing things way too safe, and Stefan, for his greasy sauce and unbalanced flavors. Padma tells Stefan to pack his knives and go, and he heads to face Kristen to get back in the competition.

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

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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