We are only on episode three of Top Chef Season 20 and it has already been one for the books! This season brought together sixteen winners and runners-up from various Top Chef shows from around the world to compete against one another in London, England. The level of competition couldn’t be more fierce.
In the very first episode, Samuel Albert was told to pack his knives and go for not cleaning his shrimp. Who would have thought that the chef from France would be the first to go? Next to be sent home was Olympian turned chef, Dawn Burrell, for a watery congee. Fans of Top Chef Portland were no doubt disappointed to see Dawn leave so early.
The remaining chefs couldn’t even catch their breath as Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons sauntered out to inform everyone there wouldn’t be a quick fire tomorrow, but a pub crawl instead. Luciana Berry joked that pub food in London was terrible nineteen years ago but now it was amazing. Maybe so, but can you really taste the difference when you are a few drinks in?
It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere
The next morning, several chefs are chugging water to prepare for their pub crawl. Smart move. First up on the docket is The Lamb & Flag. Gail blurted out to everyone a bit too cheerfully that the pub used to be called “the bucket of blood.” Yum. Three dishes are served there: fish and chips, fisherman’s pie, and a Sunday roast. Whoever made up the rule fish and cheese don’t go together was proved wrong with the golden cheesy crust on top of the fisherman’s pie.
Over at The Jack Horner, the chefs were served more beer, then shepherd’s pie, steak and ale pie, and a toad in the hole. Begona Rodrigo and Victoire Gouloubi are none too happy with the food. Guess they don’t have pub food in Italy or Spain.
Hope everyone had their elastic waist pants on because more deliciousness awaited them at Trafalgar Tavern. Bangers and mash, and a scotch egg were on the menu. The potato queen, Sylvia Stachyra, was all about the mash. She even wanted to eat more potatoes and butter. Can we be best friends? But the fun was over as it was time to get down to business.
It Takes Two
Gail announced the elimination challenge was to take any of the dishes that were served and elevate them. Sounds simple enough, right? But there’s always a twist or two on Top Chef. This is not only a team challenge, but a double elimination.
Immediately there was tension between partners May Phattanant Thongthong and Dale MacKay. May wanted the scotch egg and Dale wanted fish and chips. If I were Dale, I’d have listened to May as she was at the top for both challenges last week. Dale begrudgingly agreed with May and selected the scotch egg. It’s going to be a bumpy ride for this duo.
Next up, Sara Bradley and Tom Goetter picked shepherd’s pie. Charbel Hayek and Nicole Gomes picked Sunday roast and Luciana and Buddha Lo selected fisherman’s pie. Ali Ghzawi and Amar Santana hesitated on selecting fish and chips. Ali was concerned it will be difficult to elevate, but Amar was confident they can wing it. Begona and Gabriel Rodriguez picked bangers and mash, and Victoire and Sylvia chose toad in the hole. Victoire was worried about this choice but is putting her faith in “potato girl.”
Pub Crawl Brawl
There was no Whole Foods shopping spree this round. Everything the chefs need will be waiting for them at Trafalgar Tavern. The mood was jovial for most of the group as they arrive, except for May and Dale. Dale shot down May’s ideas at every turn. Unless they can make magic on a plate, their lack of communication might be what sends them home.
Ali and Amar have become best buddies and set out to make an extra crispy fish and chips topped with malt vinegar salt. Yes, please! Victoire has turned a page and is enjoying making the sauce for their toad in the hole. And Sylvia is completely in her element searing potatoes and flour in butter. Nicole is happy that she practiced making Yorkshire pudding before coming to the competition and is confident her Yorkie will compliment Charbel’s roast.
While Buddha is busy making fancy zucchini scales for a fish, Luciana had him try her potatoes. Buddha immediately says they taste like glue and they need to be redone. Luciana disagreed, but does not fight him on it and is ok with Buddha remaking the potatoes as this is a double-elimination challenge. Take notes, Dale!
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Padma Lakshmi, Gail, and Tom were joined by guest judges Brett Graham and James Cochran. Sylvia and Victoire went first, and served a very elegant and flavorful toad in the hole. They were able to bring in flavors from both their Polish and African cultures to the dish. Begona and Gabriel served a unique-looking and petite-sized bangers and mash. The onion cookie seemed a bit odd to me but if Padma says she wanted to lick her plate clean, who I am to judge?
Ali and Amar brought out their crispy fish and chips. The chips kill it. However, there is one problem. The fish isn’t crispy! Womp womp. Buddha and Luciana served a visually stunning fish dish that looks nothing like a fisherman’s pie. There is potato and crumb on the side, so if you scoop it all together it mimics a pie flavor. The judges love the flavor and don’t mind the deconstructed look. Sara and Tom went a similar route and deliver a flavorful, yet modern and creative take on the shepherd’s pie.
May and Dale served a Thai-style scotch egg. May did not look happy at all as she left the dish with the judges. Unfortunately, the judges were not fans and said the scotch egg wasn’t crispy enough and needed to be cooked longer. Nicole and Charbel served their Yorkshire pudding and Sunday roast. The judges didn’t think the pork tenderloin had enough fat for a traditional roast, but they enjoyed the rest of the dish.
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
The top two teams were Begona and Gabriel, and Buddha and Luciana. Begona was proud of Gabriel and the dish they created. She said if the team goes well, everything goes well. The judges admitted their dish didn’t look like bangers and mash, but the flavors were spot on. The same comment was said for Buddha and Luciana. Their dish also did not look like a fish pie, but the flavors brought everything together. And the winning team was…Buddha and Luciana!
The bottom two teams were May and Dale, and Ali and Amar. May and Dale got grilled first on their egg not being crispy enough. Ali and Amar were shocked to be at the bottom and thought they were there for not deconstructing their dish. But alas, their dish just wasn’t crispy enough either. So, who had the least crispy dish and was sent packing? May and Dale. I don’t think it was May’s time to go yet, but hopefully, she can get back in through Last Chance Kitchen.
TELL US – WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD HAVE WON? BUDDHA AND LUCIANA OR BEGONA AND GABRIEL? DO YOU THINK MAY AND DALE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED? WHICH TEAM HAD YOUR FAVORITE ELEVATED PUB FOOD DISH?
[Photo by: David Moir/Bravo]