by Michael J. Lamp

"Rock and Roll (Out)"

There are no processed foods in the Top Chef kitchen this week. Instead, the place is covered with specialty ingredients that would have any master chef salivating.

For their Quickfire Challenge, the chefs must create a ‘heavenly' dish - in seven minutes. Hey, it could've been five. The chefs will taste each other's dishes and rank them to determine the victor. None of the chefs seem too thrilled to be doing this, but I think it's rather awesome.

Traci and Naomi each get a lot of first-place votes, while Hugh and Celina suffer through last place votes.

From last to first, Curtis announces the final standings: Celina, Hugh, Floyd, Mary Sue, Alex, Naomi and Traci, who claims immunity and $5,000 for her charity.

This week's Elimination Challenge splits the chefs into two teams. Traci picks Hugh, Naomi and Mary Sue for her group, leaving Celina, Floyd and Alex on the other team. The chefs will create a ‘rock star' meal for Maroon 5 - and serve it at the Roosevelt Hotel.

The chefs are cooking in Winnebagos, which is an inspired twist. I love it. The team of four is questioning whether having more people is a blessing or a curse. That ‘bago is crowded, ya'll. They also have a crazy, erratic driver. Shit is spilling, like whoa.

Gail Simmons joins Danyelle, James and Curtis to help judge. Floyd's group serves first, and is met with mixed reviews. Traci's team follows with not perfect, but noticeably better reactions.

Traci's team is called to Critic's Table first. They are this week's top group. No surprise there. Traci's Japanese-style steak, Hugh's spanakopita, Naomi's apple crisp and Mary Sue's black bean tostadas were all favorites, but team leader Traci is crowned the overall victor. She earns the ever-elusive double win in one episode, adding to her prize money haul for La Cocina.

Celina, Floyd and Alex meet the Critic's next. One of them is headed home. Alex's enchilada had a bizarre texture, Floyd's salad was compared to the out-of-the-bag variety (ouch) and Celina's spinach pie and cous cous pairing left the critic's perplexed.

Alex is sent packing. He looks pretty dejected, but maintains the charming demeanor he's had all along. I love how graceful these Top Chef: Masters exits have been. It's refreshing.

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

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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