Top Chef Masters Episode 6: Taste the Tension

July 28, 2009 11:17 pm

Top Chef Masters Episode 6: Taste the Tension

The latest episode of Top Chef Masters really brought out these masters' true colors. "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen," many say. But, this time, the heat was completely out of their control.

The Chefs:

Jonathan Waxman – Barbuto, New York City

Art Smith – Table 52, Chicago

Michael Cimarusti – Providence, Los Angeles

Roy Yamaguchi – Roy's, Hawaii

Quick Fire Challenge:

For success, we're usually told, "keep it simple." Yet for these experts, simple was exactly the challenge. With a mere 20 bucks and 30 minutes, each master was assigned an aisle at Top Chef's most trusted supermarket, Whole Foods, to select ingredients for the winning dish. The contestants returned to the kitchen to discover they would be judged by no other than Whole Foods experts themselves. Let the aisle trial begin!

"I never cook anything in 30 min so this is pretty tough," said Yamaguchi. Really now, some expert? I really can't understand how any top chef "master" could admit this on camera without thinking he wouldn't be criticized for poor kitchen verbiage. It's like an athlete saying he can't run a mile in under ten minutes. But let's move on. After some difficulty with assembling the pressure cookers, the chefs managed to pull through with some bearable, and some brilliant dishes.

The skeptical Roy Yamaguchi took a crossroad on his usual Asian cuisine when assigned the Pasta & Olive Oil section, and made a pasta dish with a fried egg. "Weird!" was the initial blurted word, but the dish seemed to work earning him a lovely 4 stars. Art Smith earned a big 4.5 stars for his multi-grain risotto, claiming "I'm gonna take the show!" Cocky chef speaks too soon if you ask me, or maybe not eh? The renown Jonny Waxman ends with only 3.5 stars for his lentil dish, a major disappointment. But for a golden five stars, Michael Cimarusti, unexpectedly wins with his chocolate parfait — a non pastry chef born on a shooting star? Or, this could just be pure talent ladies and gents.

Elimination Challenge:

With 20 stars up for grabs, the odds for each chef are still high — but not for long. Karma could be a bitch if any of these chefs decide to take the evil route. The concept is heartbreaking for some. Each chef must shop for 11 ingredients for a fellow competitor and the chef that receives the box must use at least seven of the ingredients given. For the most part the chef's keep it classy, having much respect for their fellow contestants, and wanting to give them equal opportunity; however, we can't all be saints can we? Waxman, does not return the favor for Cimarusti. "I denied you fish," Waxman declares, knowing seafood is this chef's specialty. A low blow from such a respected master? I think so. Still Cimarusti remained calm and thankful to his elders for the ingredients he was given.

Claiming he feels 58 years old (yeah right!) Waxman is well aware his knife is on the line for this round, remaining in dead last for his boring lentils. Yamaguchi plates a short rib and mahi mahi dish that impresses Gail Greene — shocker! Cimarusti does his best to put his lack of fish ingredients together into a cohesive lamb dish but fails to sauce all his plates, a major disadvantage! Yet, Ms. Greene claimed she was lucky she didn't get the sauce (ouch!). Ill-behaved Waxman did prove that elders come first with his California spirited pork sausage and pork chop duo with cauliflower and shaved truffle, earning him the top position for the challenge. Yet, as in the kitchen as in life, good always prevails! Art Smith takes victory with his oozing persona dish of Southern-style fried chicken, allowing the judges to really taste his love for the South. His ability to make them laugh didn't hurt either.

Now, Chef Art Smith can spread his southern skills and love for food immensely by donating to his wonderful charity, Common Threads, educating children on nutrition, physical well being, and allowing them to partake in the reverence for the sole unifier of human kind: food.

Stay tuned weekly to Behind the Burner to discover who can take the final heat for the champion's round on Top Chef Masters.

—Joanna Weinstein