Posted on 05/18/2011 by Gina in Top Chef Masters
by Gina Scarpa
"Date Night"
Things kick off on Top Chef Masters with the final six entering the kitchen to find headphones, noseplugs, and blindfolds to cover up their senses... which brings us to the Quickfire!
Using only one sense at a time, the chefs have to identify five ingredients. In the taste round, Floyd didn't get a single ingredient after feeling very disoriented and was out. The smell round didn't go too much better, with Traci getting eliminated. In the touch round, Hugh and Mary Sue got all five and moved on to the final round - using sound to identify five ingredients. How is that even possible? Impressively, Hugh is able to identify things like shucking oysters and buttering toast to take the win, earning $5,000 for his charity.
For this week's elimination challenge, Curtis brings out a guy named Chris who is going to propose to his girlfriend. The chefs will be preparing a six course meal and each chef will be responsible for one course. Each one has to be inspired by a moment in Chris and Victoria's relationship. How sweet is that?! Hugh doesn't seem to think so but his repulsion is at least pretty amusing.
After scaring the crap out of the people on the elevators at Whole Foods by barreling up it, the chefs do a quick shopping spree with their $200 budgets.
In the kitchen, Mary Sue cuts off the end of her thumb and it's the worst cut she's had in a very long time. After a quick view by the medic, she gets back to work. The chefs share their romantic stories of how they met their partners, which is pretty cute - even Hugh, who met his wife when he was 11!
Curtis lets the chefs know that Chris's and Victoria's moms have flown in to secretly watch the meal and surprise them afterwards. Other couples fill the dining room so Victoria doesn't get suspicious. Here are the dishes:
Floyd: Kama Sutra Black Pepper Shrimp with Watermelon, Lime, and Mint
Celina: Soft Pretzel with Pale Ale Cheese Sauce and Frisee Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
Mary Sue: Mussels and Clams Portuguese Style with Sausages and Wine Broth
Naomi: Porcini-Braised Chicken Thigh with Sweet Potatoes Two Ways
Hugh: Strip Steak with Broccoli, Onion Ring, Celery Root Puree, and Bordelaise Sauce
Traci: Pink Lady Apple Galette, Whipped Crème Fraiche, and Caramel Sauce
The proposal went off without a hitch. It was adorable and, as you might expect, she said yes!
At Critics' Table, Floyd, Mary Sue, and Naomi are named the favorites of the night. The favorite, and winner of $10,000 for their charity, is Naomi. Wow - I thought, for sure, that Floyd had it. When the others are called in, Gail tells Celina that her dish was disjointed, James felt that Traci's apples were too dry, and Gael let Hugh know that his meat was too "chewy".
After a panel deliberation, it's time to deliver the bad news. Celina Tio is out of the competition because her dish was not cohesive enough.
Top Chef Masters airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.
(Image courtesy of Bravo)
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