Sunday, December 11, 2016

SEASON #14 - CHARLESTON, SC -BROOKE.

NEW PLAYERS VS. VETERANS
HOSTS:  Padma Lakshmi & Tom Colicchio

PLAYERS (New)
1.  JIM SMITH  Ex Chef of State of Alabama                                           Montgomery, AL. 
2.  ANNIE PETTRY  Ex Chef /Owner Chef Decca                                   Louisville, KY.
3.  BJ SMITH  Ex. Chef/ Owner  Smokehouse 21                                      Portland, OREGON
4.  EMILY HAHN  Chef at Warehouse Bar & Kitchen                             Charleston, SC.
5.  GERALD SAMBRIGHT  Chef De Cuisine Ario                                 Marco Island, FL.
6.  JAMIE LYNCH  Ex Chef/Partner 5Church Group                              Charlotte, NC
7.  SILVIA BARBAN  Chef /Owner Anita Rest.                       (Italy)     Brooklyn, NY
8.  SYLVA SENAT  Ex Chef. Maison Mao                                               Phila., PA.
(VETERANS)
1.  AMANDA S-7
2.  BROOKE   S-10
3.  CASEY   S-3 & S-8 ALL STARS
4.  JOHN TESAR  S-10
5.  KATSUJI  S-12
6.  SAM  S-2
7.  SHELDON  S-10
8.  SHIRLEY  S-11

PRIZES:  Feature in Food & Wine Magazine.
                 An Appearance at the classic by Food & Wine Magazine in Aspen, CO.
                $125,000 Cash by S. Pellegrino Water. 
JUDGES:  Tom Colicchio,, Gail Simmon & Graham Elliot

EPISODE #1:  Something Old & Something New.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE #1 (with Newbys) - Create as dishes as you want using a whole chicken in 1 hour.
- WINNER:  Jim & LOSER:  Gerald.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE #2(vETERANS):  Create your take on shrimps & grits in 30 minutes.
- WINNER:  Brooke            & LOSER:  john.

SUDDEN DEATH COOK-OFF:  Gerald vs. John.
ARRIVED AT:  Boone Hall Plantation.
- Create an oyster roast dish in 20 minutes.
ELIMINATED:  Gerald.

EPISODE #2:  Southern Hospitality.
ARRIVED AT:  a Plantation.
GUEST JUDGE:  Frank Lee, Executive Chef Hall Management Group.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Work in teams to create a family style meal inspired by Charlestonian home-cooked dishes.
--   Rookies vs. Veterans.
- Rookies didn't plan their sopping & had trouble with kitchen size (small).

JUDGES TABLE:
-Grey Team (Veteran) won.
- BEST:  Casey, John & Sheldon.
- WINNER:  Casey.
- LOSER:  Orange Team (Rookies).Lest:  BJ, Annie & Jamie.
ELIMINATED:  Annie.  (didn't have the time to bake her tarts).

EPISODE #3:  Choke, Hold & Clammy Hands.
ARRIVED IN:  Kitchen.
GUEST JUDGE:  Chris Cosentino, Owner & Owner of Cockscomb.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  25 minutes.  Work in teams to complete in 5 Mise En Place tasks.
- Onions, garlic, artichokes, shrimps & clams.

-WINNER:  Blue Team.  MVP - Sheldon.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a 7-Course Meal going against the other team feature Radish


                                                               
JUDGES TABLE:
- Blue Team won.  WINNER:  Brooke.
-LOSER:  Green Team.  Sam, Casey, Sylvia, & BJ.
ELIMINATED"  Sam.

EPISODE #4:  The Feast of Seven Fishes.
GUEST JUDGE:  Nilou Motamed, the new Editor of Food & Wine Magazine.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a meal using everything in your"gifts"  Pressure cooker, patron tequila, pomegranate. chocolate pretzels, cloves, wasabi, squab & melon baller.  30 minutes
- LEAST FAVORITES:   Shirley, Emily, BJ 
- TOP 3:  Brooke,  Casey,  John 
WINNER:  Casey has immunity.

GUEST JUDGE:  Mike Lata, Chef & Owner of Fig.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  working in teams of 2.  Serve at Fig.
- meal of 7 fishes.  with Trash Fish.
- Sheldon & Shirley
- Jamie & Sylva.
- Brooke & Emily.
- BJ & Silvia.
- Katsuji & John. 
- Jim & Amanda.
- Casey.

JUDGES TABLE:
BEST:  Shelton  and Jamie & Sylva  and John & Katsuji.
WINNER:  John & Katsuji.  WINNER:  Katsuji.
WORST:  BJ & Silvia, and Brooke & Emily and Jim & Amanda  and Casey.
ELIMINATED:  BJ.

EPISODE #5:  Smoke 'Em If You Got "Em.
- Silvia's birthday.  (The Birthday Curse)
ARRIVED:  At Closed Kitchen & Alone.
-  They are left on their own.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  30 minutes   Create your own take on a biscuit.
GUEST JUDGE:  John Currence  Chef & Owner o Big Bad Breakfast. 
WORST:  Shirley, Sheldon & Jim.
BEST:  Brooke, Katsuji & Jamie.
WINNER:  Brooke.  has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGE:  Rodney Scott, of Scott's Bar-B-Que.
- Work in teams to prepare a whole hog with vinegar or mustard based sauce and three sides.
- Sheldon  goes to the hospital for MRI on his back which he been complaining about.
YELLOW TEAM:  Emily, Sheldon, Brooke & John.
GREEN TEAM:  Katsuji, Silvia, Amanda & Sylva.
RED TEAM:   Jamie, Shirley, Casey, & Jim.

JUDGES TABLE:  
WINNER TEAM:  Yellow Team.  WINNER:  John.  
LOSER TEAM:  Green Team.  
ELIMINATED:  Silvia still the birthday curse exists.

EPISODE #6:  A Southern Legend.
GUEST JUDGE:  Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create Healthy vegetarian versions of traditional comfort dishes.  30 minutes.

WORST:  Casey, Silva, & Katsuji.
BEST:  Emily, Jamie & Brooke.
WINNER:  Jamie. has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGE:  Alexander Smalls, Chef & Restaurateur of The Cecil.
                             Toni Tipton-Martin Award-Winning Author of The Jemima Code.
- Create a dish that pays homage to Edna Lewis.
ARRIVED AT:  Middleton Place, National Historic Landmark.
- Jamie didn't have enough plates lucky he had immunity.

JUDGES TABLE:
FAVORITES:  Jim, Silva & Sheldon.
WINNER:  Silva.
WORST:  Amanda, Emily & Brooke.
ELIMINATED:  Amanda.

EPISODE #7:  Booty
ARRIVED IN KITCHEN:  Earth,Water, Air, Fire.
GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Cimarusti, Chef & Owner of Providence
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish inspired by your  zodiac sign using your element. pantry.
- BEST:  Katsuji, Sheldon & Jamie.    WINNER:  Jamie.  has immunity.
WORST:  Jim, Silvia, & Emily.  SUDDEN DEATH COOK OFF:  20 minutes to cook Steak Tat-tar
- ELIMINATED:  Jim.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Work in teams to create dishes for a pirate party using treasure hunt ingredients.
- BLACK TEAM:  Brooke, Casey & Katsuji.  YELLOW TEAM:  Sheldon, Silva & Shirley.  
- RED TEAM:  John, Jamie & Emily.
JUDGES TABLE:  BEST TEAM:  Yellow.  WINNER:  Shirley.
LOSER TEAM Red & Black Teams.    Red Team Worst
ELIMINATED:  Jamie.  gave up his immunity.

EPISODE #8:  Restaurant Wars
ARRIVED:  Marian's in the French Quarter
GUEST JUDGES:  Daniel Humm, Chef & Owner of Eleven Madison Park,
                               Will Guidara, Restaurateur & Co-Owner of the above.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  work in teams to create a restaurant from the ground up.
Katsuji:  Sheldon, Casey, John.  - served on 2nd night.  Southern Belle.
Shirley:  Brooke, Silva, Emily.  - served on first night.  Latitude

JUDGES TABLE:
- WINNER:  Red Team.  WINNER:  Brooke.
- LOSER:  Blue Team.  
ELIMINATED:  Katsuji.

EPISODE #9:  For the Kids.
GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Voltaggio, Chef & Owner of Ink & Season#6 Winner.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Identify as many ingredients as possible while blindfolded in five minutes.
- NAME 3 FEWEST:  Emily, Silva & Shirley.
- NAME 3 BEST:  Brooke, Sheldon & Casey.
WINNER:  Brooke. 14 cases of wine.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish inspired by a childhood memory for the Music Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital Charity Gala.  
ARRIVED AT:  Kiawah Island  

JUDGES TABLE:
BEST:  Silva, Brooke & Sheldon.
- WINNER:  Silva.
3 WORST:  Emily, Shirley & Case,
ELIMINATED:  Emily.

EPISODE #10:  Shrimp Boats & Hat Ladies.
ARRIVED AT:  Shrimping Boats.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish featuring freshly caught shrimp in a sudden death  cook off
.
WINNER:  Sheldon.
LEAST FAVORITE:  Casey,  Shirley & Silva. will be compte in SUDDEN DEATH QUICKFIRE  Create a dish using the bycatch from shrimping.  30 minuters.
LEAST FAVORITE & ELIMINATED:  Casey.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGE:  Dominique Ansel, Pastry Chef & Owner of Dominique Ansel Bakery.
- Create an original breakfast & lunch mashup dish for brunch.

JUDGES TABLE:  
TWO TOP:  Sheldon & Shirley.
- WINNER:  Shirley.
WORST:  John, Brook & Silva.
ELIMINATED:  Silva - last of the the Rookie.

EPISODE #11:  Adios Charleston, Hello James Beard
FINAL FOUR:  Sheldon, Brooke, Shirley & John.
LAST QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE in Charleston:
GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Solomonov, Chef & Owner of Zahav
- prepare a dish while simultaneously instructing a mystery partner to make the same dish.
- win $10,000.
- was their family member
-WINNER:  Sheldon & his wife.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGE:  Mary Sue Milliken, Co-Chef & Owner of Border Grill Restaurants & Trucks.
- Create a dish representing your journey on Top Chef worthy of being served at the James Beard House.

JUDGES TABLE:  
2 BEST:  Shirley & Sheldon.
WINNER:  Sheldon.
TO BE ELIMINATED:  John or Brooke.
ELIMINATED:  Brooke.

EPISODE #12:  Cooking Away in Margaritaville.
FINALES:  Shirley, John, Sheldon.

ARRIVED AT:  Chivas Stadium.
GUEST JUDGE:  Francisco Ruano, Chef & Owner of Alcalde.
WHO MADE FROM LAST CHANCE KITCHEN:  Brooke.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish featuring GOAT to celebrate Guadalajara & Chivas.
FAVORITE DISH:  Brooke won $10,000. & an advantage.
Tequila
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish to pair with a unique MARGARITA featuring Patron Tequila.

JUDGES TABLE:  
WINNER:  Brooke Bottle of LTD Edition of Patron Tequila.
ELIMINATED:  John.

EPISODE #13:  Trail by Fire.
ARRIVED IN:  Riviera Maya, Mexico.  at Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya.
GUEST JUDGE:  Ricardo Munoz Zurita, Chef & Owner of Azul Historico.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  winner will win 6 days trip to Secrets Resorts.
- Create a dish featuring Habaneros & ingredients from the local market.


- WINNER:  Brooke.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  GUEST JUDGE:  Jeremiah Tower, Chef & Author.
- Create a dish using traditional Mayan ingredients & tools.
- WINNER - Shirley.
ELIMINATED:  Sheldon.

EPISODE #14:  Comida Final
Brooke vs. Shirley.
ARRIVED AT:  Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya.
FINAL ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a four-course progressive meal.

JUDGES TABLE:  

THE WINNER IS:  Brooke.








Saturday, July 9, 2016

SEASON -12 - BOSTON - MEI.

PRIZES:  A Feature in Food & Wine magazine.
                 An appearance at The Classic in Aspen.
                 $125,000 Cash.

PLAYERS:  16 to start
1.  MICHAEL PATLAZHAN  Private Chef.                                      Brooklyn, NY
2.  KATSUJI TANABLE  Chef/Owner.                                             Beverly Hills, CA.
3.  MEI LIN  Sous Chef.                                                                    Los Angeles, CA.
4.  RON EYESTER  Chef/Owner.                                                     Atlanta, GA.
5.  AARON GRISSOM  Executive Chef.                                          N. Hollywood, CA.
6.  GEORGE PAGONIS  Executive Chef/Partner.                            Washington, D.C.
7.  JOY CRUMP  Executive Chef/Owner                                          Fredericksburg, VA.
8.  ADAM HARVEY  Sous Chef.                                                      New York City, NY
9.  KERIANN VON RAESFELD  Executive Chef.                          San Jose, CA.
10.  STACY COGSWELL  Executive Chef.                                      Boston, MASS.
11.   DOUG ADAMS  Sous Chef                                                       Portland, OR.
12.  REBECCA LaMALFA  Executive Chef                                      Chicago, ILL.
13.  GREGORY GOURDET  Executive Chef.                                   Portland, OR.
14.  KATIE WEINNER  Chef/Owner.                                                Salt Lake City, UT
15.  JAMES RIGATO  Executive Chef.                                              White Lake, MI.
16.  MELISSA KING  Private Chef.                                                   San Francisco, CA.

FIRST SUDDEN DEATH CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGE:  Richard Blais, Chef/Partner of Juniper & Ivy.
- speed - work in teams to compete 4 mise en place tasks.
-BLUE TEAM:  Michael, Mei, James & Katsuji.
- GREEN TEAM:  Doug, Adam, Aaron & KeriAnn.
YELLOW TEAM:  Ron, Stacy, Rebecca & Katie.
RED TEAM:  Melissa, Joy, George & Gregory.
- Green Team wins & Red lose.  George lowest time.
2N PART:  George vs. Gregory.
- Create a dish using any of the above ingredients.  George loses.
ELIMINATED:    George.  

FIRST ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
- Create an updated version of your very fist dish that you cooked.
JUDGES TABLE:
TOP 3:  Doug, Mei & Gregory.  WINNER:  Mei.
BOTTOM:  Katie, Michael & Katsuji.
ELIMINATED:  Michael.

EPISODE #2:  Boston's Bravest & Finest.       14 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Todd English,  Chef & REstaurateur.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a surf & dish depending on which lamp is lite.  1 by land & 2 by sea.
- WINNER:  James won $5,000 no immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGES:  The Commissioners of Boston - Bill Evan, Police & John Evans Interim Fire.
- Work in teams to create a dish for the men & women of Boston's police & fire departments.
- RED TEAM:  Katsuji, Katie & Mei.
YELLOW TEAM:  Joy, Ron & Melissa.
-GREEN TEAM:  KeriAnn, Aaron & Stacy.
- GRAY TEAM:  Doug & James.
-BLUE TEAM:  Rebecca, Adam & Gregory.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP TEAMS:  Red & Blue Teams.  WINNER:  Blue Team.
BOTTOM:  Yellow & Green Teams.
ELIMINATED:  Joy.  

EPISODE #3:  The Cruise of the Bambino                                      13 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Ming Tsai, Owner/Chef of Blue Ginger.
SUDDEN DEATH QUICKFIRE:  Create a dish highlighting tea.
TOP:  Melissa, Gregory, & Ron.  WINNER:  Gregory has immunity.
BOTTOM:  James, Aaron & Rebecca.  WORST:  Aaron.
- Aaron will now choose whom he want to go against in Sudden Death:  Katie.
- Aaron win & stays.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a fine dish using a ballpark snack.


JUDGES:  Hugh Acheson,
                  Richard Blaser.
                  Dennis Eckersley, Baseball Hall of Fame.
                  Dan Shaughnessy, Sport Columnist for Boston Globe.
TOP:  GRegory, Melissa & Katie.  WINNER:  Gregory, again.
BOTTOM:  Ron, Kerriann & Katsuji.
ELIMINATED:  Ron.

EPISODE #4:
GUEST JUDGE:  George Wendt, Actor of Cheers.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a tasty bar snack.
First Group:  Katie, Rebecca Stacy, Keriann, Aaron & Doug.
Second Group:  James, Adam, Katsuji, Melissa, & Gregory.
BOTTOM:  Gregory & James.
TOP:  Katsuji & Keriann.  WINNER:  Katsuji have immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Michael Schlow, Chef/Restaurateur.
- Create a 3 course Italian menu.
DOUBLE ELIMINATION.
PURPLE GROUP:  Aaron, Gregory & Katsuji.
ORANGE TEAM:  Adam, Doug & Mei.
GRAY TEAM:  Melissa, James & Keriann.
BLUE TEAM:  Katie, Rebecca & Stacy.
SERVICE AT:  Via Matta,

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:   Purple  & Blue Team.  WINNER:  Purple.
BOTTOM:  Jame,s Stacy & Rebecca.
ELIMINATED:  Rebecca & James.

EPISODE #5:  It's a War.                                       10 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Jamie Bissonnette, Chef & Owner of Toro.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Battle an opponent in a Head to Head challenge using Reynolds Products.   Winner will get $10,000
- Katsuji vs. Aaron in Smoked Salmon.
- Doug vs. Adam  in Steamed Mussels.
- Kerriann vs. Stacy in Trout en Papillote.
- Melissa vs. Katie in Smoked BBQ.
- Mei vs. Gregory i Steamed Dumpling.
THE WINNERS ARE:  Katsuji, Doug, Keriann, Katie & Gregory.
WINNER:  Gregory. win the $10,000

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  The Winners (Blue) vs. the Losers (Red).
- Compete in a culinary war.
- Battle of Lexington:  Doug vs. Adam.  Adam won.
- Battle of Bunker Hill:  Katsuji vs. Melissa. Katsuji won.
- Battle of Trenton:  Gregory vs. Mei.  Gregory won.
- Battle of Sarolta:  Kerriann vs. Stacy.  Stacy won.
- Battle of Yorktown:  Katie vs. Aaron.  Katie won.
- Blue Team won.

JUDGES TABLE:
- Red Team lost.
BOTTOM:  Aaron, Melissa & Stacy.
ELIMINATED:  Aaron.

EPISODE #6:  The First Thanksgiving.         9 left.
- Tiffani Faison, Chef & Owner of Sweet Cheeks Q.  & Season 1.  arrived at the chef's "home".
- Took them to a Cranberry Farm.
CHALLENGE:  first 4 chefs to fill their basket with cranberry get an advantage.
- Katie, Adam, Gregory & Doug won.  Advantage: pick from the high end pantry.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a a dish that highlights the cranberry.
BOTTOM:  Katsuji, Adam & Stacy.
TOP:  Doug, Katie & Mei.
WINNER:  Katie have immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
ARRIVE AT:  Plimoth Plantation. (Plymouth)
GUEST JUDGES:  Ken Oringer, Chef & Restaurateur.
                               - Members from generations Colonists & Wampanoag tribe.


JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Doug, Mei & Katsuji.
WINNER:  Katsuji.
BOTTOM:  Stacy, Melissa & Gregory.
ELIMINATED:  Stacy.

EPISODE #7:  Restaurant Wars.                       8 left.
ARRIVED AT:  Theatre 1 - Space 57
GUEST JUDGE:  Barbara Lynch, Chef & Restaurateur.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create restaurants serving guests including Chase Sapphire Cardmembers.
GRAY TEAM:  Melissa, Doug, Mei & Adam.  (4 Pigs)
ORANGE TEAM:  Katie, Gregory, Katsuji, & Kerriann.  (Magellan).

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Gray Team.  WINNER:  Doug.
BOTTOM:  Orange Team.
ELIMINATED:  Kerriann - she did a lousy job as Front of the Kitchen.

EPISODE #8:  Clean-Up in Aisle 21!                    7 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Jasper White, Chef & Owner of Summer Shacks Restaurants.
SUDDEN DEATH QUICKFIRE:  Create an unique chowder.

TOP:  Adam, Gregory, Melissa.  WINNER:  Gregory - has immunity.
BOTTOM:  Doug, Katsuji, Mei & Katie.
LOSER:  Katie.
- must go against the past chefs &if she loses she is eliminated & the chef get to come back.
- she goes against George.
SUDDEN DEATH CHALLENGE:  Create a dish using rabbit.
- she lose.
ELIMINATED:  Katie.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish for 75 Top Chef  superfans & foodies.  The judges will do their shopping.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  George, Doug, & Gregory.   WINNER:  Doug.
BOTTOM:  Adam, Mei, & Melissa.
ELIMINATED:  Adam.

EPISODE #9:  Big Sausage.     6 left.
GUST JUDGE:  Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  in 1 hour Create an inventive sausage dish.
BOTTOM:  Melissa, & Gregory.
TOP:  Doug, & George.  WINNER:  George has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
GUEST JUDGE:  Tony Maws, Chef & Owner of Craigie on Main.
- Create a dish inspired by a famous New England literary work.
- Gregory - Edgar Allan Poe,
- Katsuji - Stephen King,
- George- Dr. Suess,
- Mei - Henry Thorne Thoreau,
- Melissa - Nathan Hawthorne
- Doug - Emily Dickinson.
COOKE AT:  Steel & Rye.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Mei, Melissa, Doug,  WINNER:  Mei.
BOTTOM:  Gregory & Katsuji.
ELIMINATED:  Katsuji.

EPISODE #10:  For Julia & Jacques.   5 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Andy Cohen, Host of Watch What Happens, LIVE.
                              Dave Ansel, Andy's College Roommate.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a RAMEN dish using ONLY dorm room ingredients from Emerson students.   No immunity but $5,000.
BOTTOM:  Mei & Doug.
TOP:  George, Gregory & Melissa.
WINNER:  Melissa  won $5,000.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:
- the chefs are told to watch a video:  Watch Julia Child.
QUEST JUDGE:  Jacques Pepin, Award Winning Chef & Author.
- Create a dish that pays tribute to Julia Child.
COOK AT:  The Herb Lyceum at Gilsons.

JUDGES TABLE;
TOP:  Gregory & Mei.
WINNER:  Mei.
BOTTOM:  Melissa, Doug & George.
ELIMINATED:  Doug.

EPISODE #11:  Sous Your Daddy.                    4 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Ashley Christensen,  2014 James Beard Winner & Chef & Owner Poole's Diner.
- No QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create two dishes utilizing local seafood.  1 Appt & 1 Entree.
- the appt MUST be made by their Sous Chef or FAMILY MEMBER.
- no one will be eliminated.
- Stating Overnight at:  GLOUCESTER, MASS.
ARRIVED AT:  Island Creek Oysters.
COOK AT:  Lobster Pool Restaurant.

JUDGES TABLE:
TOP:  Mei & Melissa.
WINNER:  Melissa will advance to the final in Mexico.

EPISODE #12:  The Final Battle in Bean town.       4 left.
FINAL FOUR:  Gregory, Melissa, Mei & George.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a Boston worthy dish highlighting Beans.
GUEST JUDGE:  Wylie Dufresne, Chef & Restaurateur.
- WINNER:  Melissa - win  a trip to Napa Valley.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create an innovative dish that pushes culinary boundaries.
ARRIVED AT:  Catalyst Restaurant.

JUDGES TABLE:
-WINNER:  Melissa wins $10,000
- in finals:  Mei & Gregory.  in Mexico.
ELIMINATED:  George.

EPISODE #13:  Getting Prickly in Mexico.

ARRIVED IN:  Guanajuato, Mexico.
LAST CHANCE KITCHEN:  Winner:  Doug.
QUICK FIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish highlighting Xoconostle (prickly pears)

GUEST JUDGE:  Enrique Olvera, Chef & Owner of Pujol.
- WINNER:  Doug has advantage i elimination challenge.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish inspired by an artist's piece of work.
- will get helpers from previous chefs.  Doug will choose first.
- Doug - Adam & Katsuji.  Artist:  Merry Calderoni.
- Melissa - George & James.  Artist:  Leonardo Diaz.
- Mei - Rebecca & Kerriann.  Artist:  Bea Aaronson.
- Gregory - Katie & Stacey.  Artist:  Artemio Sepulveda.

JUDGES TABLE:
- WINNER:  Doug. win his artist's work.
ELIMINATED:  Melissa.  ( I am sorry to see her go).  :(


EPISODE #14:  Holy Escamoly         3 left.
ARRIVED AT:  Jalpa City to an Organic Farm.
GUEST JUDGE:  Enrique Farjeat, Executive Chef of Hacienda Purísima de Jalpa.
LAST QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create sweet & savory dishes highlighting using Mexican Chocolate.

- WINNER:  Gregory will have first pick of sous chef.

LAST ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a 6-Course meal highlighting Mexican ingredients.
- Gregory picked George.
- Mei picked Melissa.
- Doug picked Katijsi.

JUDGES TABLE:
WINNER;  Gregory.
ELIMINATED:  Doug.

EPISODE #15:  Mano a Mano                      2 left.
ARRIVED AT:  a Hot Balloon.

FINAL ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create the 4 Course meal of your life.
- Gregory - picked Doug & George.  Cooked at Restaurant.
- Me - picked Melissa & Rebecca.  Cooked at Centanni Trattoria.

JUDGES TABLE:

THE WINNER IS:   MEI.




       

Thursday, May 19, 2016

SEASON #11 - NEW ORLEANS - NICHOLAS.

EPISODE #1:  Soiree in the Swamp                              19 to start.
PRIZE:  Feature in Food & Wine magazine.
               Showcase at the Annual Classic in Aspen by Food & Wine.
               $125,000 by Healthy Choice.
                Title of Top Chef.
JUDGES:  Padma Lakshmi,
                  Tom Colicchio,
                  Emeril Lagasse,
                  Curtis Stone.
PLAYERS  (19)
1.  SARA JOHANNES, Executive Chef.                                                        Minneapolis, MN
2.  JASON CICHONSKI.    "            "                                                             Philadelphia, PA.
3.  NICHOLAS ELMI,         "          "                                                              Philadelphia, PA.
4.  JANINE BOOTH,  Chef De Cuisine                                                          Perth, AUSTRALIA
5.  BENE BARTOLOTTA,  Chef / Owner.                                                      New York City, NY.
6.  SHIRLEY CHUNG,  Executive Chef.                                                        Las Vegas, NV.
7.  JUSTIN DEVILLIER, Chef/Proprietor.                                                      New Orleans, LA
8.  AARON CUSCHIERI,  Executive Chef.                                                    Chicago, ILL.
9.  STEPHANIE CMAR, Sous Chef.                   (from Season 10)                Boston, MASS.
10.  MICHAEL SICHEL,  Executive Chef.                                                     New Orleans, LA.
11.  TRAVIS MASAR,           "            "                                                           Denver, CO.
12.  CARRIE MASHANEY,  Chef De Cuisine.                                               Seattle, WASHINGTON
13.  CARLOS GAYTON  Executive Chef.                                                      Chicago, ILL.
14.  NINA COMPTON  Chef De Cuisine.                                                       Miami, FL.
15.  BRET PELAGGI,  Sous Chef.                                                                   Miami, FL.
16.  PATTY VEGA,  Sous Chef,                                                                       New York, NY
17.  RAMON BOJORQUEZ                                                                            San Diego, CA.
18.  BRIAN HUSKEY,   Executive Chef.                                                         Los Angeles, CA
19.  LOUIS                                                                                                         Healdsburg, CA
HOST:  Padma Lakshmi.

NO FIRST QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE BUT ELIMINATION  CHALLENGE:
- Create a dish highlighting a Louisiana delicacy on the beads that Tom & Padma handed out.
- serve in the heart of the swamp.

- Micheal & Justin have immunity already by competed already.

JUDGES TABLE:  Carrie, Nina, & Sara TOP.
BOTTOM:  Patty, Aaron & Ramon.
ELIMINATED:  Ramon.

EPISODE #2:  Rebuilding New Orleans                         18 left.
same night - given their QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Make a GUMBO inspired by your heritage.
- Start cooking at home then next day.
GUEST JUDGE:  Leah Chase, Chef & Owner of Dook Chase.
BOTTOM:  Jason, Michael & Patty.
TOP:  Aaron, Carrie & Shirley.
WINNER:  Carrie.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Make a lunch in a food truck for Habitat for Humanity.
GUEST JUDGE:  Susan Spicer, Chef & Owner of Bayona Restaurant.
YELLOW TEAM - Aaron, Carlos, Travis, Carrie & Brian.
BLUE TEAM:  Jason, Patty, Nicholas, & Bret.
GREEN TEAM:  Louis, Sara, Shirley, & Stephanie.
RED TEAM:  Justin, Bene, Janine, Michael & Nina.
JUDGES TABLE:  Yellow Team - WINNER:  Carrie.  (she made her bread on the truck)
BOTTOM:  Bllue Team.
ELIMINATED:  Jason.

EPISODE #3:  Commander's Palace.              17 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Dana Cowin, Editor in Chief of Food & Wine magazine.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish that reinvents a dish popular food trend.
TOP:  Nina, Shirley & Stephanie.  WINNER:  Shirley has immunity.
BOTTOM:  Bret, Aaron & Louis.
ELIMINATED:  Aaron.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Replicate a classic Commander's Palace dish.

JUDGES TABLE:  TOP:  Stephanie, Justin & Nina.  WINNER:  Justin.
BOTTOM:  Louis, Carlos, Bret.  
ELIMINATED:  Bret.

EPISODE #4:  Captain Vietnam.                                                              15 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Eddie Huang Chef & Owner of Baohaus.
NO QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE but tour of Vietnam cuisine.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Work in teams of 5 to create a Vietnamese inspired meal.  One dish must highlight SHRIMP.
GREEN TEAM - Janine, Bene, Travis, Sara & Stephanie.
RED TEAM - Shirley, Justin, Carrie, Patty, & Nina.
ORANGE TEAM- Brian, Carlos, Nicholas, Louis & Michael.
JUDGES TABLE:  Red Team - TOP.  WINNER:  Shirley.
BOTTOM:  Green Team.
ELIMINATED:  Janine.

EPISODE #5:  Lea Michele's Halloween Bash.        14 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Renee Simmon & Vijoya Lakshmi (Gail & Padma mothers)
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create dishes using items covered in Reynold's Wrap.
TEAM LAKSHMI:  Nina, Brian, Bene, Carlos, Travis, Nick & Patty.
TEAM SIMMONS:  Justin, Michael, Shirley, Louis, Carrie, Sara & Stephanie.
WINNER:  Team Lakshmi won $10,000 to be split.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGE:  Lea Michele, Singer & Actress.
- Create a spooky Halloween costume party.

BLACK TEAM:  Carrie & Stephanie.
YELLOW TEAM:  Nicholas & Patty.
GREEN TEAM:  Brian & Bene.
RED TEAM:  Travis & Carlos.
ORANGE TEAM:  Nina & Michael.
BLUE TEAM:  Louis & Shirley.
GRAY TEAM:  Justin & Sara.
JUDGES TABLE:  
TOP:  Yellow & Red Teams.
WINNER:  Red Team.
BOTTOM:  Orange & Green TEams.
ELIMINATED:  Michael.

EPISODE #6:  Campfires, Cream Cheese.          13 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  John Besh, Chef & Owner of Besh Restaurant Group.
- pack an overnight bag.
ARRIVED AT:  a Farm.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish Highlighting the Creole Tomato in 20 minutes.
 BOTTOM:  Patty, Stephanie & Travis.
TOP: Nina, Carlos & Louis.  WINNER:  Nina won immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a farm fresh dish using Philadelphia Cream Cheese.


JUDGES TABLE:  TOP:  Nina, Nicholas & Justin.
WINNER:  Nina won $10,000.
BOTTOM:  Sara, Travis & Bene.
ELIMINATED:  Bene.

EPISODE #7:  Jazz Hands.      12 left.
- Nicholas is sick, doesn't complete in quick fire challenge.
GUEST JUDGE:  Kermit Ruffins, Musician.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Chefs will rotate stations cooking at each until Kermit starts playing.
TOP:  Carlos, Brian & Patty.
WINNER:  Brian has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  As a team create a cohesive Potluck meal.
GREEN TEAM:  Carrie, Nina, Stephanie & Carlos.
GRAY TEAM:  Travis, Brian, Patty & Nicholas.(he's back)
BLUE TEAM:  Shirley, Louis, Justin & Sara.
JUDGES TABLE:  Gray Team is bottom.
TOP:  Green & Stephanie is the WINNER.
ELIMINATED:  Patty.

EPISODE #8:  Piggin' Out.      11 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Dr. John,  Musical Icon.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Make a Hot Sauce.
BOTTOM:  Nicholas, Carrie & Nina.
TOP:  Brian, Carlos.
WINNER:  Brian have immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:     " Whole Pig"
GUEST JUDGE:  Toby Rodriguez, Artist & Butcher & Chef.
                              Donald link, Executive Chef & CEO of link Restaurant Group.
- Create a dishes using a whole pig.
TOP:  Shirley Carlos & Nina.
WINNER:  Carlos.
BOTTOM:  Justin, Louis, & Stephanie.
ELIMINATED:  Louis.


EPISODE #9:      Restaurant Wars.               10 left.
No Quickfire.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create REstaurant a serving guests including VIP Chase Sapphire cardmembers.
GUEST JUDGE:  David Chang, Chef & Owner of Ma Peche.
GREEN TEAM:  Found - Nina, Shirley, Carlos, & Sara.
PURPLE TEAM:  Fin - Stephanie, Nicholas, Travis, Carrie & Brian.
JUDGES TABLE:  TOP:  Purple Team.  WINNER:  Nicolas.
BOTTOM:  Green Team.
ELIMINATED:  Sara was terrible at front of the house - forget to tell the dishes to the judges.

EPISODE #10:  Like Mama Made.                                        9 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Hebert Keller, Chef & Owner Fleur De Lys.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a dish featuring Dunkin' Donuts Coffee.
BOTTOM:  Brian & Nicholas.
TOP:  Shirley, Carrie & Stephanie.
WINNER:  Shirley win immunity & $10,000.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Make a dish inspired by food you eat at home.
GUEST JUDGE:  Anthony Mackie, Actor.
- when the chefs arrived home Emeril was cooking dinner for them.
JUDGES TABLE:  Nicholas, Stephanie & Carlos are TOP.
WINNER:  Nicholas.
BOTTOM:  Travis, Brian & Justin.
ELIMINATED:  Travis.

EPISODE #11:  Giving It the Old College Try.                       8 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Questlove, Musician & Restaurateur.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Prepare a dish using drumsticks in 30 minutes.
- Carrie - Scuab.                                          Brian - Chicken.
- Shirley - Duck.                                          Nina - Guinea Hen.
- Stephanie - Turkey.                                   Nicholas - Quail.
- Justin - Drumette.                                     Carlos - Goose.
BOTTOM:  Nicholas, Justin & Carlos.
TOP:  Carrie, Nina & Brian.
WINNER:  Carrie has immunity.



ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Serve lunch 500 LSU Freshmen Cafe Style.
- winner will win Toyota Rave 2013.
JUDGES TABLE:  TOP:  Shirley, Brian & Carlos.
WINNER:  Shirley win the car.
BOTTOM:  Stephanie, Nina & Justin.
ELIMINATED:  Justin - he cooked chef's type of meal & the kids didn't like it.

EPISODE #12:  Mississippi Mud Bugs          7 left.
        Crawfish Season.

QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  GUEST JUDGE:  John Besh.
- prepare a version of crawfish etouffe( to smother it)
BOTTOM:  Carrie, Nicholas, Stephanie & Carlos.
TOP:  Brian, Nina & Shirley.
WINNER:  Shirley have immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish highlighting 22 types of seafood for 200 guests at the LOUISIANA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL.
JUDGES TABLE:  TOP:  Stephanie, Nina, Brian.
WINNER:  Stephanie.
BOTTOM:  Nicholas, Carrie & Carlos.
ELIMINATED:  Carrie.

EPISODE #13:  Oui Si a Challenge.                                          6 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Jacques Pepin, Chef & Author.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  replicate Jacques's dish.
BOTTOM:  Brian, Stephanie & Carrie.
TOP:  Shirley, & Nicholas.
WINNER:  Nicholas has immunity.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  
GUEST JUDGES:  Julian Serrano, Executive Chef of Aria Resort & Casino.
                               Dominique Creenn, Chef & Owner of Atelier Crenn
- prepare a meal with eith French or Spanish influence.


BLUE TEAM:  French - Shirley, Nicholas & Stephanie.
RED TEAM:  Spanish - Nina, Brian & Carlos.
JUDGES TABLE:  TOP:  Spanish Team.   WINNER:  Nina.
BOTTOM:  Spanish Team.  Either Shirley or Stephanie going home since Nicholas has immunity & he cooked the worst dish.
ELIMINATED:  Stephanie.

EPISODE #14:  Po' Boy Smackdown         5 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Roy Choi, Author LA Son.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Create a unique & personalized gourmet Po' Boy in 20 minutes.
BOTTOM:  Everyone.
WINNER OF THE WORST: Shirley has immunity.

ELIMINATED CHALLENGE:  Create a dish that represents your career turning point.
GUEST JUDGE:  Jon Favreau, Actor & Director.
JUDGES TABLE:  WINNER:  Shirley.
ELIMINATED:  Brian.

EPISODE #15:  Leaving New Orleans.                     4 left.
       FINAL FOUR:  Shirley, Nina, Carlos & Nicholas.  (maybe?)
LAST QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE in New Orleans:  in 2 part
1)  Create the perfect biter & serve it on a cocktail fork (for Gail Simmons)
- 2 Top:  Nicholas & Carlos.
2)  Create a dish highlighting EITHER  eggplant or red bell pepper.
             

- Carlos vs. Nicholas.  WINNER:  Carlos - win 2014 Toyota Corolla.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish inspired by your time in New Orleans.
GUEST JUDGE:  Emeril Lagasse.  Will featured the winner dih on his menu.
JUDGES TABLE:  Nina & Shirley are first to the finals.
WINNER:  Shirley.
ELIMINATED:  Carlos.
     Going to Maui,

EPISODE #16:  Maui Wowie.               4 left.
GUEST JUDGE:  Sam Choy, Chef/Restaurateur.
LAST KITCHEN CHALLENGE WINNER:  is Louis.
QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE:  Make a dish highlighting SPAM.

WINNER:  Nicholas wins $10,000.

ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a dish using canoes crops.
- 2 moving on.
JUDGES TABLE:  WINNER:  Nicholas. has advantage.
ELIMINATED:  Louis & Shirley.
   FINALE:  nicholas vs. Nina.

EPISODE #17:  Finale.
ELIMINATION CHALLENGE:  Create a 4 course meal.
-Nicholas advantage is picking his 3 sous chef first.
Nicholas picked:  Jason, Louis, & Brian.
Nina picked:  Shirley, Stephanie & Travis.

JUDGES TABLE:  

       THE WINNER IS:  NICHOLAS.