Plugging those Sponsors Instead of Each Other: Top Chef Episode 9
Plugging those Sponsors Instead of Each Other: Top Chef Episode 9 by Roxanne McDonald
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Thanks to a deep love of mayo but no thanks to a line cook living–the more humble of Top Cheftestants says “seeya”. |
Marcel is still ostracized, and while the other five hang out, he isolates on the rooftop, saying how his company is better than any of theirs…and sharing a rap with the cameras, though we hope he is not performing for a music contract in case “Top Chef” doesn’t pan out for him.
Guest chef Mike Yakura and Padma introduce the Kraft Quickfire Challenge—explaining that the chefs must execute ideas quickly this week, by creating a Kraft gourmet snack with Kraft mayonnaise, Kraft zesty Italian dressing, and/or Kraft barbecue sauce.
Sam interviews that he went to culinary school; his parents paid a ton of money; and he came out with a “deep love for mayo”…which serves him well in this challenge as he is one of the two winners—for, says Yakura, bringing it all the way through. The second winner is Marcel (finally), whom
Yakura says created the most technical dish.
Since they are the winners, Marcel and Sam get to be the team leaders for the Elimination Challenge, which requires each team to open a restaurant in twenty-four hours in the yet to open (under heavy construction, still) Westfield Promenade Shopping Center. (Do we really need another shopping center?)
Sam chooses Ilan and Mike, and Marcel takes Elia and Cliff. Cliff is ornery; Ilan is ineffectual; and each team has some big complaints from the commenting diners and the judges.
Sam’s team’s LaLaLina (named for the three men’s significant others) impresses the judges the most with a fried meatball appetizer, but disappoints them with an olive pit left on the table (no pit dishes anywhere to be found); no wine list (no alcohol at all, which clearly miffs the judges); mushrooms salty and just sitting atop linguini; bland pork; and a dessert of watermelon gnocchi that
makes one judge sick to her stomach.
Marcel’s team had started with the vision of Medi, a Mediterranean restaurant, but switches visions mid-planning, when Elia suggests a burger joint/diner, which they end up deciding is an “upscale” diner with the best burger ever goal and which they name MEC, for each of their own names.
The judges have to wait way too long; the burgers are more like overdone meatloaf; and the lemon Oreo pie cookie thingy tastes like, well, a crushed Oreo cookie.
No one wins the challenge but someone has to go. Taking on great responsibilities saves Ilan, Elia, and Marcel; Sam’s meatball was the best dish of all; and Cliff just somehow gets exempted despite his attitude and poor front-of-the-house performance. This leaves Mike to be booted. Mike is as always cool and smiling and saying he is the humble type…like that pig in Charlotte’s Web.
And the advertising is done for the day—no one getting into a scream fight or punching match, just punching the promotional time card before the finale…which airs January 31st on BRAVO. And there’s my plug.
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