Top Chef 5 Brings New Judge & Double Eliminations
Posted by REALITY REHASH on January 7, 2009 under Bravo, Top Chef | 
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On the last new Top Chef, some three long weeks ago, nobody was evicted thanks to the holiday season. Now if you are like me you probably hate the fact we had to wait so long for a brand new episode but thankfully they made up for it with a double elimination and a brand new judge. Gene, Melissa and Jamie were up for elimination last time and were lucky that it was a non-elimination round. All were happy to still be in the game and ready to prove themselves. John Christoff Novelli, who has a new show on Bravo, is the guest judge for the Quick Fire and Jamie knew it was going to be a dessert dish. The challenge was hosted by Diet Dr. Pepper and the catch was they had to make a sweet treat without any sugar. Some like Jeff were used to cooking without sugar while Jamie and Gene weren’t used to the desert thing. Carla had some issues as she tried to freeze her bananas. Only problem was the freezer kept getting opened and shut, causing her bananas to stay warm and she had to change her plans. While John was tasting the foods Stefan joked that he was from John’s home country of France. He didn’t seem to like it but at least the European connection was there.
After tasting all the deserts Radhika ended up winning her second Quick Fire challenge in a row, giving her another immunity into the next round. But that wasn’t the end of the fun as Toby Young was revealed to be their new judge in place of Gail, who got married. Fabio filled us in that he’s a tough guy over in Britain so I’m sure we are in for some fun. The next morning Tom walked into the house, surprising everyone and freaking them out a bit. He told them they would be cooking whatever they wanted to show who they are and what they are capable of as a chef. Nobody would know who cooked the food, a blind taste test, showing that its not about their personalities this time but only about their food. Since the place they were cooking was small the chefs split into two groups with one from each group leaving. Tom let them know it was a double elimination and that put everyone worried even more.
Being able to cook whatever they wanted made everyone excited and allowed those who have been on the bottom the chance to show they are worth keeping in the game. Most ended up going with fish, for some odd reason, and you would think it was a fish themed challenge. With Stefan not being in Group A everyone was surprised at how calmer the kitchen was. While they were cooking Group B went out shopping and the fish theme continued. Flashing back to the kitchen we see the last 30 minutes of Group A cooking. Jamie went with her scallops again, trying to prove to the judges that she can actually make them. They talked down upon them last round and its interesting she would take that risk. Fabio had her undercooked issues this time around as his lamb was undercooked, worrying him a bit.
Since the tasters this time were all foodies it was very important that the chef’s foods tasted good. Group A’s food went out as Group B arrived. It turns out that they got to taste their oppositions food, considering them the “food critics” and creating an interesting twist. Those in Group A were shocked to see the others sitting there waiting to eat and weren’t happy that their opponents would be judging. Luckily its a blind taste test so who they like will not go into how well they like the food. As the tasting began Toby began his spit fire of phrases on food, creating Carla to call out for Gail. I still wonder why Gail was there for only a few weeks and its sad to see she’s gone. Jamie finally rebounded as all loved her scallops, for once, while Stefan’s lamb was found to be undercooked. Gene’s had a bit of a mixed reception as everyone felt it was just too fishy while Jeff actually liked it. Toby’s new judging style hit a few of the chefs harshly, especially Melissa’s who tasted like cat food to him.
Group B then began to cook and they had an advantage as they knew the other chefs would be tasting their food. I’m surprised they pulled the “surprise” on Group A as it was a bit of a disadvantage and somewhat unfair as well. Group B was cooking their fish… I mean food with Leah cooking something new. She wanted to go big or go home while Ariane went a bit safe again. Nobody had any major mishaps this time around, like Fabio, and it was time for the blind taste test of Group B. They were surprised to learn they were tapped last time around and here goes their surprise for the round. Jamie hopes she’ll win compared to the stuff she’s eating this time around while Radhika put down the duck, knowing it was Stefan. Tom made up for it though as he really seemed to like it. Jeff’s took a hit from Tom but was loved by Toby. Not sure whose opinion is bigger right now but I figure it’s probably Tom’s. Most had mixed belief on all the foods with none being loved by everyone and none being hated by everyone. It’s one of the first times I have no clue who is going this episode as all were somewhat similar so it may come down to new judge Toby.
It was time for the judges table and the first for Toby. Two were going home this week and Melissa was worried the most. Not knowing who made what the judges were called out based upon their dishes. Stefan, Ariane and Jamie went out first as they were the best dishes of the night. As guest judge John Christoff chose Jamie the winner, giving her the win she wanted so badly and making up for the week she had so long ago, at least for us. Bad news was she had to call people back for elimination: Melissa, Gene and Carla. Those were the bottom three and two would be going home, meaning only one of them was staying. It’s odd they would call so few out for elimination when two are going home but I’m sure they knew who was going before even calling them out. Melissa took the brunt of the comments, courtesy of new judge Toby. Carla basically said she screwed up and knew where her problem was while Gene kept saying how much of a chance he took. Tom didn’t believe it was big enough though since he’s made it so many times before. After the judges decided it was time to get ride of two of the chefs, Melissa and Gene were told to pack their knives with Carla being the one staying in the game.
I’m not surprised to see the two who were also in the bottom last time going home but thankfully the show is back on track! Who do you think should have been sent home? Leave a comment and let us know!
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