Episode 4: Advantage Chef
Padma and Guest Judge Tony Mantuano
An athletic Top Chef episode! Advantage Chef aired on December 22, 2010. So far, Dale T. is running on momentum: he won
the last challenge! The All-Star chefs headed to the top chef kitchen to find Padma standing with quickfire judge Tony Mantuano.
the last challenge! The All-Star chefs headed to the top chef kitchen to find Padma standing with quickfire judge Tony Mantuano.
Quickfire Challenge
Padma announced the fourth quickfire challenge of the season. It was simple: make a stuffing. But there's a twist of course: all cutlery and utensils have been removed from the kitchen, so the chefs will have to use improvised tools. The winner will get 20,000 dollars and immunity in the elimination challenge.
As the challenge got started, so did the creativity. Jamie used carrots as knives, Antoniaused bacon as a spoon, and Fabio could be seen using the holes of a table to grate cheese. And again, Blais heads for the liquid nitrogen and the pressure cooker. It was truly a splendid quickfire challenge.
Here are the stuffings that each chef prepared:
Marcel made Whole Squab, Stuffing with Raisin Brioche, Cherries, Currants & Ras El Hanout Gravy
Tre made Southwestern Inspired Bread Pudding with Apple Smoked Bacon, Cheddar, Bell Pepper, Chili Powder
Angelo made Surf and Turf Oyster Filled Pork, Bread Crumb Topping, Parsley, Whole Oysters
Richard made Pressure Cooked Onion, Nitro Fried Fennel & Parsley, Raisins, Pine Nuts, Peppers, Smoked Mayonnaise
Dale T made Spanish Influenced Stuffing with Crab, Oysters, Chili Lemon Aioli, Blistered Tomatoes, Grapes, Olives
Mike made Paella Stuffing
Antonia made Scallop, Indian Lentil Purée, Mint, Dandelion Greens, Cilantro & Chive
Spike made Stuffed Quail with Raisins, Herbs, Port & Apricot Glaze
Fabio made Polenta Bread, Vegetables, Browned Butter, Smoked Bacon & Grated Parmesan
Casey made Mushrooms with Crispy Chicken Liver, Miso Cake, Mushroom Dashi
Jamie made Crépinette with Pork, Lemon Oil, Broth
Tiffany made Cornbread Stuffing
Tiffani made Soy Maple Stuffing with Quail, Grilled Mushrooms & Quartered Grapes
Carla made Thai Inspired Vegetable Stuffing with Black Quinoa Salad & Black Caviar
Tony and Padma tasted each dish. Tony decided on three losing stuffings: Carla's vegetable stuffing, which she admitted wasn't even a 50 cent dish, Casey's mushroom and liver stuffing which really cut her down, and Tiffani's soy maple stuffing with quail which her mother once made when she was a child. As for the top, Tony picked two chefs: Tre and Marcel. The winner of $20,000 and immunity in the elimination challenge is............Tre and his southwestern bread pudding stuffing!
As the challenge got started, so did the creativity. Jamie used carrots as knives, Antoniaused bacon as a spoon, and Fabio could be seen using the holes of a table to grate cheese. And again, Blais heads for the liquid nitrogen and the pressure cooker. It was truly a splendid quickfire challenge.
Here are the stuffings that each chef prepared:
Marcel made Whole Squab, Stuffing with Raisin Brioche, Cherries, Currants & Ras El Hanout Gravy
Tre made Southwestern Inspired Bread Pudding with Apple Smoked Bacon, Cheddar, Bell Pepper, Chili Powder
Angelo made Surf and Turf Oyster Filled Pork, Bread Crumb Topping, Parsley, Whole Oysters
Richard made Pressure Cooked Onion, Nitro Fried Fennel & Parsley, Raisins, Pine Nuts, Peppers, Smoked Mayonnaise
Dale T made Spanish Influenced Stuffing with Crab, Oysters, Chili Lemon Aioli, Blistered Tomatoes, Grapes, Olives
Mike made Paella Stuffing
Antonia made Scallop, Indian Lentil Purée, Mint, Dandelion Greens, Cilantro & Chive
Spike made Stuffed Quail with Raisins, Herbs, Port & Apricot Glaze
Fabio made Polenta Bread, Vegetables, Browned Butter, Smoked Bacon & Grated Parmesan
Casey made Mushrooms with Crispy Chicken Liver, Miso Cake, Mushroom Dashi
Jamie made Crépinette with Pork, Lemon Oil, Broth
Tiffany made Cornbread Stuffing
Tiffani made Soy Maple Stuffing with Quail, Grilled Mushrooms & Quartered Grapes
Carla made Thai Inspired Vegetable Stuffing with Black Quinoa Salad & Black Caviar
Tony and Padma tasted each dish. Tony decided on three losing stuffings: Carla's vegetable stuffing, which she admitted wasn't even a 50 cent dish, Casey's mushroom and liver stuffing which really cut her down, and Tiffani's soy maple stuffing with quail which her mother once made when she was a child. As for the top, Tony picked two chefs: Tre and Marcel. The winner of $20,000 and immunity in the elimination challenge is............Tre and his southwestern bread pudding stuffing!
Elimination Challenge
Spike and Marcel "strategize"
The chefs were divided into two teams: the orange team and the yellow team. They will individually cook for the players in the U.S. Open tennis match. Each team must put forth representatives for head-to-head cook-offs, which are scored like a tennis match. The first team to reach four points gets the team victory. The chefs that score a point for the winning team are eligible for the win, while chefs that lose a point for the losing team are eligible for elimination. Every chef must prepare a dish, but two do not have to present and are ineligible for the win and safe from elimination. The guest judge for this challenge is not only Tony Mantuano but also tennis star Taylor Dent!
The yellow team was Spike, Angelo, Jamie, Tiffani, Tre, Tiffany, and Casey.
The orange team was Richard, Marcel, Mike, Dale T, Fabio, Antonia, and Carla.
Everyone is very secretive about what they are doing for their meals. Serious planning for what order to present goes on between team leaders, and when Tom enters the kitchen they won't even tell him. The yellow team has a competitive strategy that they'll put the weakest dishes out first and then wipe out a few wins the the final dishes. The strategy is actually not so great, but we'll see. Spike thinks it's brilliant.
During the plating time before presentations, Carla cut her finger when looking over at Antonia. She puts up with it and kept cooking, like Jamie should have done two episodes ago. It actually looked worse than Jamie's finger.
Carla was making a vegetarian african soup, which group members Mike and Dale disapproved of. We'll see how she does with it.
The yellow team was Spike, Angelo, Jamie, Tiffani, Tre, Tiffany, and Casey.
The orange team was Richard, Marcel, Mike, Dale T, Fabio, Antonia, and Carla.
Everyone is very secretive about what they are doing for their meals. Serious planning for what order to present goes on between team leaders, and when Tom enters the kitchen they won't even tell him. The yellow team has a competitive strategy that they'll put the weakest dishes out first and then wipe out a few wins the the final dishes. The strategy is actually not so great, but we'll see. Spike thinks it's brilliant.
During the plating time before presentations, Carla cut her finger when looking over at Antonia. She puts up with it and kept cooking, like Jamie should have done two episodes ago. It actually looked worse than Jamie's finger.
Carla was making a vegetarian african soup, which group members Mike and Dale disapproved of. We'll see how she does with it.
Marcel plates at the stadium
First up in the head-to-head round was Fabio from the orange team. The yellow team had some crazy idea that Richard would go first, and he was the strongest. But alas they were wrong. They didn't know who to put forward first, so they stuck to their plan and tried to send Jamie, who wasn't ready with her Chickpea dish. It looked like she was hiding under tables, and no one could find her. She said in an interview that she hoped she wouldn't have to present. Wow, that's all I can say. So, instead, the yellow team sent Casey who said she was ready to go.
Round 1: Fabio made Whole Wheat Gnocchi with Pork Loin Ragout, Caramelized Fennel & Zucchini
Casey made Grilled Pork Tenderloin Salad with Farro, Cherries, Sugar Snap Peas & Vinaigrette
Another gnocchi for Fabio, this time light gnocchi. And he won. Every single critic preferred his dish, and that was a point for the orange team.
On the orange team, Dale T told Marcel, who was supposed to go next, that he needed to serve his Edamame Dumpling because they are dying. Marcel gets a little pissed, but keeps it to himself for now.
Round 2: Dale T made Edamame Dumpling, Spicy Carrot Froth, Crispy Soy Nut
Tiffani made Sashimi of Black Bass, Avocado, Ponzu Vinaigrette
Dale T's dumplings seemed to have expired. All of the judges but Padma preferred Tiffani's sashimi, and the yellow team scored it's first point. That's a big step up for Tiffani.
The yellow team abandoned their stupid strategy and put forward another good dish: Angelo's. Marcel was now ready to present from the orange team.
Round 3: Marcel made Cauliflower Cous Cous with Pomegranate Seed, Golden Raisins & Yellow Fin Tuna
Angelo made Smoked Tuna, Yuzu Gelée, Red Onion & Caper
The critics and judges all preferred Angelo's Tuna because there was something wrong with Marcel's yellowfin tuna. Another point for the yellow team, who was initially losing.
After celebration, the yellow team was not sure who to put forward, and Spike suggests Jamie but again, she's avoiding a presentation in fear of elimination. So Tiffany says she's ready and she'll present . She's facing Antonia from the orange team.
Round 4: Antonia made Scallop, Indian Lentil Purée, Mint, Dandelion Greens, Cilantro & Chive
Tiffany made Spiced Tuna with Fennel, Peppercorns, Walnut Sauce, Coriander Seeds & Lentil Salad
With this head-to-head, the judges are split. Both dishes are good with minor flaws. In the end the tiebreaker picked Antonia, tying the orange team with the yellow team.
Spike considers his dish to be vulnerable, as his ininitial batch of shrimp failed. And this is when the orange team finally put Richard forward. We'll see who claims this round. Spike's dish now had input from Angelo and Tiffani, who rushed Spike to presentation by plopping yuzu and other unwanted garnishes on top.
Round 5: Richard made “Thai-Bouleh”; Lamb with Herbs & Yogurt
Spike made Tomato Tamarind Soup, Olive Oil Poached Shrimp, Pineapple, Tomatoes & Dill
Richard smashed Spike as the entire judges' table picked Richard's "Thai-Bouleh," (though they didn't like his lamb) putting the orange team in first place with three points.
For the last round, the yellow team put forward the immuned: Tre. He faced Carla from the orange team whose vegetarian soup seemed an easy target and a guaranteed win for the yellow team.
Round 6: Carla made African Groundnut Soup with Baked Sweet Potatoes, Adzuki Beans & Peanuts
Tre made Salmon, Parsnip Purée, Olive Oil Sauce, Citrus, Tomatoes & Olives
As it turned out, Carla's dish was the favorite. Her simple African soup beat out Tre's salmon. This means that the orange team won and Carla, Antonia, Richard, and Fabio would be up top.
Round 1: Fabio made Whole Wheat Gnocchi with Pork Loin Ragout, Caramelized Fennel & Zucchini
Casey made Grilled Pork Tenderloin Salad with Farro, Cherries, Sugar Snap Peas & Vinaigrette
Another gnocchi for Fabio, this time light gnocchi. And he won. Every single critic preferred his dish, and that was a point for the orange team.
On the orange team, Dale T told Marcel, who was supposed to go next, that he needed to serve his Edamame Dumpling because they are dying. Marcel gets a little pissed, but keeps it to himself for now.
Round 2: Dale T made Edamame Dumpling, Spicy Carrot Froth, Crispy Soy Nut
Tiffani made Sashimi of Black Bass, Avocado, Ponzu Vinaigrette
Dale T's dumplings seemed to have expired. All of the judges but Padma preferred Tiffani's sashimi, and the yellow team scored it's first point. That's a big step up for Tiffani.
The yellow team abandoned their stupid strategy and put forward another good dish: Angelo's. Marcel was now ready to present from the orange team.
Round 3: Marcel made Cauliflower Cous Cous with Pomegranate Seed, Golden Raisins & Yellow Fin Tuna
Angelo made Smoked Tuna, Yuzu Gelée, Red Onion & Caper
The critics and judges all preferred Angelo's Tuna because there was something wrong with Marcel's yellowfin tuna. Another point for the yellow team, who was initially losing.
After celebration, the yellow team was not sure who to put forward, and Spike suggests Jamie but again, she's avoiding a presentation in fear of elimination. So Tiffany says she's ready and she'll present . She's facing Antonia from the orange team.
Round 4: Antonia made Scallop, Indian Lentil Purée, Mint, Dandelion Greens, Cilantro & Chive
Tiffany made Spiced Tuna with Fennel, Peppercorns, Walnut Sauce, Coriander Seeds & Lentil Salad
With this head-to-head, the judges are split. Both dishes are good with minor flaws. In the end the tiebreaker picked Antonia, tying the orange team with the yellow team.
Spike considers his dish to be vulnerable, as his ininitial batch of shrimp failed. And this is when the orange team finally put Richard forward. We'll see who claims this round. Spike's dish now had input from Angelo and Tiffani, who rushed Spike to presentation by plopping yuzu and other unwanted garnishes on top.
Round 5: Richard made “Thai-Bouleh”; Lamb with Herbs & Yogurt
Spike made Tomato Tamarind Soup, Olive Oil Poached Shrimp, Pineapple, Tomatoes & Dill
Richard smashed Spike as the entire judges' table picked Richard's "Thai-Bouleh," (though they didn't like his lamb) putting the orange team in first place with three points.
For the last round, the yellow team put forward the immuned: Tre. He faced Carla from the orange team whose vegetarian soup seemed an easy target and a guaranteed win for the yellow team.
Round 6: Carla made African Groundnut Soup with Baked Sweet Potatoes, Adzuki Beans & Peanuts
Tre made Salmon, Parsnip Purée, Olive Oil Sauce, Citrus, Tomatoes & Olives
As it turned out, Carla's dish was the favorite. Her simple African soup beat out Tre's salmon. This means that the orange team won and Carla, Antonia, Richard, and Fabio would be up top.
Judges' Table
Carla Hall Wins
In the stew room, Richard called Jaime out for not competing. She should have gone to the bottom, but she was safe and didn't present, as was Mike from the orange team who made Slow Cooked Chicken with Pepper and Chorizo Stew, Pickled Onions.
Richard, Fabio, Antonia, and Carla were called to judges' table as the favorites. They all had great dishes today, but only one could win. Tony announced that the winner is..................Carla! Congrats, girl, you deserved it! AND she's going to Italy as a prize!
The winners sent back the dishes they beat out: Tre, Spike, Casey, and Tiffany. Upon their arrival on the bottom, it was announced that Tre was safe from immunity, but if he wasn't he'd be going home. So we are left with Casey, Spike, and Tiffany.
Spike's dish gets slammed by the judges' negative comments. Spike defends himself by stating that Angelo put yuzu on the dish and sabotaged it. But that's no excuse according to Tiffany, who, when questioned, admits that you have to stick to your guns, and in the end it's your dish. As noted above, Tiffany's dish was split between the judges; but at judges' table Gail and Tom pointed out that the dish was overdressed and lacking. The only chef to stick up for their dish is Casey, who thought it was pretty good. The judges argued that her pork loin was too heavy.
When the judges decided, they called back the four loseres. The fifth chef to be eliminated from Top Chef All-Stars is...............Spike.
Richard, Fabio, Antonia, and Carla were called to judges' table as the favorites. They all had great dishes today, but only one could win. Tony announced that the winner is..................Carla! Congrats, girl, you deserved it! AND she's going to Italy as a prize!
The winners sent back the dishes they beat out: Tre, Spike, Casey, and Tiffany. Upon their arrival on the bottom, it was announced that Tre was safe from immunity, but if he wasn't he'd be going home. So we are left with Casey, Spike, and Tiffany.
Spike's dish gets slammed by the judges' negative comments. Spike defends himself by stating that Angelo put yuzu on the dish and sabotaged it. But that's no excuse according to Tiffany, who, when questioned, admits that you have to stick to your guns, and in the end it's your dish. As noted above, Tiffany's dish was split between the judges; but at judges' table Gail and Tom pointed out that the dish was overdressed and lacking. The only chef to stick up for their dish is Casey, who thought it was pretty good. The judges argued that her pork loin was too heavy.
When the judges decided, they called back the four loseres. The fifth chef to be eliminated from Top Chef All-Stars is...............Spike.
Spike's Elimination
Spike Eliminated
Spike was fun loving and positive, so we are indeed sad to see him go. He made some great dishes this season
and some mistakes. He was just the guy to fall short.
and some mistakes. He was just the guy to fall short.
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