Top Chef: Texas – Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the Toppest Chef of all?

As we start, Sarah is furious and bitter that Beverly won the last challenge. Lindsay ain’t too happy neither. Chris is so sad that he hasn’t won, but Paul cleverly realizes that the girls aren’t pleased with Beverly’s win — sure enough, Lindsay rationalizes her not quite win. “I should have punched more servers, etc etc.” Here’s a part I noticed — Paul is worried about the talents of the other chefs … gee, how thoughtful (I mean that seriously).

Back in Austin, famed chef Eric Ripert is back for the so-called “Conveyer Belt” challenge — they must use three from the belt, but the better ingredients will come out the longer you wait. I like this, as it adds some strategy to the challenge. And if I know Top Chef, the final ingredient will be scallops. Scallops! The first out is candy and crackers — hilarious! Nobody takes the bait, though, until Edward grabs macadamia nuts because the challenge is … “nutty.” Oh, dear. I also found it amusing that Chris just kept just missing the precious, precious lobsters. Use a different protein, Chris! Lindsay waits until the last moments and grabs some decent fish and clams. Her gambit pays off, as she wins immunity with her bouillabaisse — and gets to feel bitter that Beverly SHOULD have won.

Chris got a good line in when Padma hints about a “Queen” — Queen of England? Queen Latifah? But no, it’s Charlize Theron, pimping her new movie about Snow White where she plays the Evil Queen. Hey, guess what? Charlize Theron loves the show and adores food! Who’d have guessed? So the Elimination Challenge is to make an indulgent (okay) and “wicked” (huh?) dish. Well, that’ll be subjective. Beverly has a classic “Beverly goes nuts in the market” scene, smashing into things and people. But as for the cooking itself, there’s a lot of talk of witches, blood, blood oranges, and FORBIDDEN RICE. I’ve had that stuff before; it’s decent.

Paul has fourteen different components in his dish, an “enchanted forest” of foie gras, bacon, strawberries, pumpernickel, serrano peppers, pickled cherries, and beets with an awesome “bloody handprint” made from the sauce. And guess what? HE WINS. This guy has gotta win this season, right? But although Sarah, Beverly, and Grayson each have problems, Bevery’s oddly textured and sticky sauce is just too evil, and she is sent off to face Nyesha in the online Last Chance Kitchen “Use Local Fish with a Twist or Two” challenge … Spoiler: Beverly breaks Nyshea’s winning streak! Heather isn’t too pleased! Watch for yourself to see why.

Clacked by Jeremy Fogelman
on Jan 19, 2012 @ 09:00 EST5EDT