TV Recap: Top Chef: Strip Around the World

photo courtesy of realitytvmagazine.com

After a two week hiatus it’s time to get our chef caps and spatulas and dive into some more Top Chef competition.

The Quickfire Challenge opens up with Padma on the phone to the Top Chefs.  They are at the Venetian hotel in the bowls of the kitchen and she is in a room with famed chef Nigella Lawson laying robed in bed and demanding breakfast.  It’s time to get cooking.

In 20 minutes the chefs have to cook something tasty for the first meal of the day.  Contrary to expectation Eli wins for his Reuben eggs and of all people, Bryan gets the losing pick for his eggs over polenta with King crab, asparagus and vanilla beurre blanc.  Apparently, it just wasn’t as good as it sounds.

For their Elimination Challenge the chefs are told to draw knives.  Each knife has a different casino listed on it and the Chefs are given the day to explore their chosen casino and than create a dish inspired by it.

Unfortunately, what they come up with isn’t all that innovative.  Bryan chose Mandalay Bay and has decided to to cook sustainable seafood.  Mike ran around New York New York and decided a dish dedicated to firefighters will be the winning ticket.  Robin wandered the Bellagio where a Chihuly glass flowers were hanging from the ceiling and so with her magnificent cooking skills she’s going to… recreate it?  Jen is at Excalibur and wanted to do a sword in the stone type deal when in fact she’s loosing it completely and honestly, it seems like she just wants to get out of the competition altogether. Kevin, is his usual pleasant manner is going to cure salmon as inspired by the Mirage.

But it’s Eli who after visiting Circus Circus really takes the cake by trying to recreate a carnival “soup” with peanuts, carmel apples and popcorn.

At judges table Mike wins for his crispy boneless wings served with a disk of blue cheese.

Who goes home?  Well it’s finally Robin!  She can’t cook a panna cotta… or anything for that matter, so to the cheer of Top Chef fans everywhere she finally gets the boot.