Top Chef Masters - Semifinal Episode 4
Magic Chefs - Neil Patrick Harris and Friends Judge
Jul 22, 2009 Kimberly Kunaniec
The July 17th episode of Top Chef Masters ended with Chef Rick Bayless walking away with $10,000 for the Frontera Farmer Foundation. Now, four new chefs will contend with a classic Quickfire Challenge from a past season of Top Chef as well as an Elimination Challenge that will determine the winner. Chefs Anita Lo, John Besh, Douglas Rodriquez and Mark Peel will compete for this week’s $10,000 prize and spot in the Champions’ Round.
Cooking an Egg Quickfire Challenge
In the culinary world it is often said that if you can cook an egg, you can cook anything. During Top Chef All-Stars, featuring competitors from Seasons 1 and 2, the chefs were challenged to cook an egg with one hand behind their back. This week, four master chefs will take on the same challenge. The chefs are given 25 minutes to make dishes for a judging panel that includes regular Top Chef Judge Gail Simmons.
Chef Lo received top marks of five stars for her Soft Scrambled Egg with Shiitake and Oyster Sauce, served in an eggshell. Chef Rodriguez earned three stars for his Corncake Arepas with Scrambled Eggs. Chef Besh did not finish his Slow-cooked Eggs with Asparagus, Dandelion Greens and Mushroom Ragout, so he only earned 0.5 stars. Chef Peel made Fresh Duck Egg Pasta with Cream Reduction and Cream Mayo for 2.5 stars.
Magical Elimination Challenge with Neil Patrick Harris
All magical acts include the components of illusion, spectacle, surprise and mystery. Today, the Top Chef Masters are challenged to create a dish based on one of those words. The dishes will be presented to a group of diners at The Magic Castle, including Neil Patrick Harris. The chefs are given $250 to shop at Whole Foods Market. They will prep their dishes for two hours in the Top Chef Masters Kitchen and then have one hour to complete the food at The Magic Castle.
Chef Lo had the challenge of creating an Illusion. She devised a Surf or Turf–Scallop With Caviar. Chef Rodriguez drew Spectacle and created Oyster Ceviche with Duck Foie Gras and Fig Empanada with Frisee Salad. He ignited his Spectacle by setting coconut shells on fire in the presentation. Chef Besh had Surprise and made several items, such as Salmon tartare with cauliflower blini and Salmon roe salad with horseradish & creme fraiche sorbet. Chef Peel was last with Mystery, creating a package of Tai Snapper Roasted in Parchment with a Shrimp, Lobster and Kefir Lime Glaze.
Judges’ Table and Elimination
Gael Greene, James Oseland and Jay Rayner join host Kelly Choi at the Judges’ Table. Each judge will award up to five stars for each dish. These stars will be added to the ones earned at the Quickfire Challenge and up to five given by the diners. Chef Besh comes in fourth place, receiving a total of 12 stars. Chef Rodriguez comes in third with 13 stars. At 18.5 stars, Chef Peel misses out on the grand prize. With a total of 22.5 stars, Anita Lo is declared the winner, earning $10,000 for SHARE and a spot in the Champions’ Round.
Top Chef Masters airs on Bravo, Wednesday nights at 10 PM. Visit the Top Chef Masters Page for more episode summaries and gossip about the show.
The Chefs Cook Eggs with One Hand Behind Your Back
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