First off, I keep forgetting the other contestants call Mike “Jersey Mike.” It just reminds me of Michael Scott’s “Prison Mike” character from The Office, which is kind of funny considering Mike stole Richard’s idea! Don’t tell me he “inspired” you; he told you about his idea for a chicken oyster on an oyster shell that morning, and you made a fried chicken oyster on an oyster shell later that day. Even if you changed around some of the ingredients — I was taught you have to make four big changes to call it your own — the “oyster” on an oyster shell is a very unique concept and you took it. It’s just bad form and you’re only making yourself look bad. Plus, I thought Richard’s fried mayo was awesome in a ballsy way.
We had three famous chefs on the show this week: Paula Deen, John Besh and Jonathan Waxmen, the latter who I loved on Top Chef Masters. Having them do southern food for a Greater New Orleans Foundation Gulf benefit is pretty cool — last year’s oil spill did so much damage for the fishing industry, so it’s great to see funds go to those fishmen and women. 300 guests are a lot of people to serve … I know, I cater weddings. The way the chefs worked at the event this week reminded me of how appetizers go at the events I cater. There’s no time to breathe!
Of course, bringing back former contestants means some conflict. Fabio and Richard worked together, but even they had a bit of a tiff during service. Still, no one is ever as abrasive as Marcel, who is reluctantly picked by Tiffany. God bless her, she had more patience with Marcel in this episode than I think I could have with him for a lifetime.
Richard’s crispy snapper with pulled pork and citrus grits won — I’m so glad he beat Mike. He won a trip to Barbados and said he planned on bringing Fabio along since he did such a great job as sous chef. So, the bromance continues!
The three on the bottom of the quickfire were also the ones in the bottom for the elimination round. Carla, Tiffany and Dale all overpowered their fish with other heavy flavors, but Dale’s undercooked potato was the tipping point. I was not a fan of his in his original season, but you can tell he grew up a lot in between that season and this one. I still think he needs to open up his culinary palette, but he’s still going home with $30,000.
Top
- Richard — won the challenge
- Antonia
- Mike
Bottom
- Tiffany
- Dale — went home
- Carla
Clacked by Katie Schenkel 
on Feb 24, 2011 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I wish Richard would lay off the liquid nitrogen, it’s getting worse than Marcel’s foams!
You kick off the guy with the $30,000 check. Come ON!
Unfortunately, each chef’s wins do not carry over to the next challenge. I think Dale is a much better chef than Tiffany, but this one time he didn’t do well.