Top Chef Masters Episode 5: A Second Taste Behind Kitchen Doors

July 23, 2009 1:57 pm

Top Chef Masters Episode 5: A Second Taste Behind Kitchen Doors

Here we are drawing a close at the end of the first round of Top Chef Masters. With the sixth episode to go, hopefully round two will have a little more action or even a bit more drama. The interactions between the chefs seem more like playful banter than what you would get from the original Top Chef. I guess eliminating the, “living under the same roof aspect” has been beneficial. Not to mention that these chefs are veterans and have reputations to protect.

Though many people I have spoken with (especially my husband), have found the whole series boring. Still, even if it is lacking in outside content, it is very entertaining to watch each of these chefs under the pressure of the clock, especially since many of these chefs no longer work, “on the line”. I also find myself eager to see what the chefs are going to cook. It ’s nice to see that even the best of the best are still human and can encounter problems in the kitchen.

Keeping in form with previous episodes, episode five ’s Quickfire Challenge mimics Top Chef season one ’s. The chefs are to prepare a gourmet dish inspired by one of America’s favorite food groups, junk food. Presented with a buffet full of every kind of junk food you could find on the shelves at 7-Eleven, each of the chefs select which form of highly unnatural food they would like to highlight in their dish.

It seems as though each of the chefs played it safe with this challenge selecting many of the savory selections amongst the other grimy foods. “That’s the challenge,” states Michael Chiarello.

For this episode’s elimination challenge, very short skirted hostess, Kelly Choi announces that the chefs will be preparing a three course menu for a party of 100 people, “All. By. Yourself.” The punch line? It’s a cocktail party (insert sigh of relief here) where the dishes are to be miniature in size. After their hearts start beating again, the chefs pile into their Lexus cars and head to Whole Foods with a $1000 budget.

Of all the first courses, the judges enjoyed them all but one. Chef Lachlan prepared a deep fried pineapple wrapped in speck. The judges felt that the pineapple lost its flavor and soaked up too much of the fry oil flavor. The party’s attendees on the other hand gave the interesting dish props comparing it to a Hawaiian pizza.

The two dishes that caught my eye were Chef Michael’s shaved Brussels sprout and asparagus salad and Chef Rick’ ceviche. Chef Rick has made a remarkable start of redemption in order to gain the stars that he is very much lacking.

The four judges found Chef Nil’s salmon dish to be outstanding. With an interesting cooking technique of salt cured on top and heated from the bottom, this dish had the mouths of diners, judges, and viewers watering with delight. But Chef Rick scores more points in my book by preparing a Brandade of scallop and shrimp with a small frisee and fennel salad drizzled with truffle vinaigrette. Any dish in which cream is folded in and the cooking method of frying is involved, I’m on board!

The dessert category had pretty much everyone talking, good, not so good, and interesting. To make this short (and sweet, ha!), here are some brief summaries.

Chef Lachlan made a frangipane with strawberries (not the traditional pear) was described as meaty. I will pass.

Chef Nils did not do any better with his goat cheese chocolate ganache with Lapsana cream (which was smoked). Everybody frowned upon this dessert. One woman even announced that she did not even want to take a second bite. Ouch.

Chef Rick tugged at my food heartstrings once again with his lemon panna cotta. Amazed by his preparation of 100+ individual Panna cotta, this puts Rick in the top three but not enough to win.

Chef Michael managed to convert Gael Greene to a lawn trimming ice cream eater with his strawberries and basil gelato topped with crème fraiche.

At the judges table, each course was scrutinized and looked over with a fine toothed comb. Though all of the chefs had there euphoric moments and their sad moments, the judges felt that Chef Chiarello’s dishes were on top. His charisma and ability to flirt with women did not hurt either.

—Hailee Moore