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TV Thu Feb 09 2012
Top Chef Texas, Episode 14: Second to Last Chance Kitchen
What an exciting episode! Blindfolds! A choice between a spot in the finale and a Prius! More Priuses! FOUR Chicago chefs in the house! And as always, three thoughts on this week's "Top Chef":
This week marked the return of down-but-not-out Chicago cheftestant Beverly Kim, coming off her win over WI girl Grayson in the "Last Chance Kitchen" web competition within a competition. And the moment she walked into the room, you could feel the temperature drop. People were NOT HAPPY to see her -- except maybe for Tom and Padma, those drama-mongers. I don't know if anyone else watches the "Watch What Happens Live" show that comes after the 10pm showing of "Top Chef," (I hadn't seen it before last night, when Padma and Michael Showalter were guests) -- but Michael summed up a seeming universal when he said, it's not that he likes Bev, it's that he feels sorry for her. And clearly the competition respects her -- but there wasn't a lot of affection for Bev in last night's episode. Especially when she edged Ed out for a spot in the final four. (But hey, at least he's featured in Bon Appetit this month! It's not a new car and oodles of money, but he looks pretty happy with a drink in hand.)
This week also saw a flowering of Chicago talent on the screen, as the final five were joined by their mentors. So in addition to seeing our team of Sarah and, now, Beverly, we also got to spend a little quality TV-time with Tony Mantuano (who I totally saw quietly chatting on his cell phone at Bar Toma a few weeks ago, humble brag -- which is just slightly less than we saw him doing in this episode, as he and quickfire winner Sarah skipped out for lunch while the other chefs prepped for elimination) and Sarah Stegner, who praised Bev's technical skill and from-the-heart Asian cooking. More than anything, this heartwarming little reunion (plus Hughnibrow) just made me unexpectedly excited for the next "Top Chef Masters." EXCEPT...
...For when Paul was crippled by his own emotions and rendered speechless. Aaawwwww. I think I've found my new favorite as the gang packs up, trades their boots for balaclavas and treks up to horribly windy and raw-looking British Columbia for the finale. Will Chicago's lightweight winter leave our cheftestants unprepared to cook in the cold?? We'll find out next week...
