Top Chef Masters - Semifinal Episode 2
The Lost Supper - Cooking from Vending Machines and Cans
Jul 12, 2009 Kimberly Kunaniec
Last week on Top Chef Masters, a spin-off of Bravo’s hit reality series, four chefs competed for one spot in the Championship Round and a chance at earning $100,000 for charity. Chef Hubert Keller won the semifinal competition and will be joined by five other chefs in the finals. This week’s contestants are Elizabeth Falkner, Graham Elliot Bowles, Suzanne Tracht and Wylie Dufresne.
Vending Machine Amuse-Bouche Quickfire Challenge
Each week’s Quickfire Challenge is a favorite challenge from Top Chef history. During Season 2 of Top Chef, the contestants were challenged to create an amuse-bouche using ingredients found in vending machines. Each chef is given a roll of quarters and access to a limited number of ingredients in the pantry. The chefs have thirty minutes to create their dishes.
Ilan, Betty and Mike of Season 2 return to judge the Quickfire. Chef Dufrense received three stars for his Red Onion and Grilled Cheese Sandwhich with Dr. Pepper Reduction. Chef Faulkner earned three and a half stars for her Braised Beef Jerky with Orange Juice, Lemon and Horseradish Ice Cream. In second place was Chef Bowles, with a Tuna Salad with Ginger Orange Bubbles and Beef Jerky Miso Powder. Chef Tracht took the lead, earning all five stars for her Fried Shallot Rings with Microgreen Salad and Dr. Pepper Aioli.
Lost-Themed Elimination Challenge
The chefs leave the Top Chef Kitchen and a cart of game, seafood and island produce is brought into the room. This week’s Elimination Challenge is to create a meal inspired by the television series Lost. Each chef will have access to the meats and seafood, plus the ability to shop for items from a Dharma Initiative-themed shopping list. This shopping list primarily contains canned and preserved ingredients. Members of the cast and crew will join the judges to eat the meal and score the chefs.
Everyone heads to Whole Foods Market, where they have 45 minutes and $200 to shop for the items that they need to make their meal. The chefs have two and a half hours in the Top Chef kitchen to create their meal. They all try to focus on their own style of cooking while working within the limitations of the Elimination Challenge.
Judge’s Table and Elimination
The chefs have an opportunity to receive up to 20 more stars, five from the dinner guests and five from each of the judges. Chef Faulkner’s Ancho-Beer Braised Boar Loin earns her 13 stars, for a total of 16.5 stars and fourth place. Chef Dufrense’s Roasted Chicken with Poached Egg earns 17 stars, bringing him to a total of 20. Chef Bowles earns 16 stars for his Maki Roll with Tuna & Dehydrated Pineapple. Chef Tracht edges out her competitors by creating a plate that she imagines as a holiday dinner, featuring Risotto with Uni, Clams and Prawns, Wild Boar with Oyster Beer Sauce, and a Mango Corn Salad.
Stay tuned for next week’s episode of Top Chef Masters. The new reality series airs on Bravo, Wednesday nights at 10 PM. Visit the Top Chef Masters Page for more episode summaries and gossip about the show.
Chef Wylie Dufrense of wd~50 Restaurant
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Film & TV
Latest Articles