by Gina Scarpa

The Top Chef competition continues on this week in Alaska at Juneau's top culinary destination, Tracy's King Crab Shack. The final four meet up with Padma and James Beard winner Sean Brock, owner of Husk and McGrady's, for their Quickfire. Their challenge was to create an impressive dish, highlighting crab. Josh and Lizzie end up in the bottom, while Brooke and Sheldon end up in Sean's favor, but it's Shelton who reigns supreme.

For their Elimination Challenge, the chefs must make a salmon and sourdough dish for the people of Juneau. They'll have three hours to cook before serving the locals, who are quite used to having these two items on their plates. Despite having a sourdough starter kit dropped off at their house, Lizzie was still worried about it and asked everyone if she was making enough. If they were truly looking to get ahead, they wouldn't answer her honestly. The salmon came straight from the ocean and looked as fresh as you could want a fish to be. I've never had a desire to be in Alaska, but I'm starting to wish I was there for this... well, until I see the bear in the tree just hanging out next to everyone eating.

Brooke's sockeye salmon in seafood broth is beautifully seasoned in Sean's eyes, but Hugh didn't think visually, it was all that appealing. Sheldon serves a smoked salmon and pea soup that Padma feels doesn't have flavors that go well together. Josh's roasted garlic sourdough soup overpowered the salmon, even though it was cooked well, while Lizzie's salmon slider had great bread but a flavorless fish.

At Judges' Table, Sean announces that a majority of locals agreed that Brooke was the winner of this challenge and gets a trip to Costa Rica.  The news isn't nearly as good for Lizzie, for not seasoning her fish enough to compete with her sourdough bread.  It seemed she spent so much time worrying about her bread, that she didn't put enough focus on her fish. Off to Last Chance Kitchen she goes, to face Kristen.  Which chef would you like to see get back in the competition?

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

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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