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You are here: Home / Top Chef / Top Chef Recap: Stumptown, USA

Top Chef Recap: Stumptown, USA

May 6, 2021 by tamaratattles 24 Comments

Top Chef RecapTonight’s Top Chef Recap should be exciting because tonight’s Last Chance Kitchen winner will return to the show. So I predict a male chef will be leaving and returning. Then we will return to the vagicide already in progress. I won’t be able to watch. LCK until after I recap, the premiere of MDLNY right after this. Then, I will watch and come back to chat with you in comments.

I need this episode more than ever now. Since I began prepping I watched the news and I wish I would not have. It’s so sad and depressing and on top of that I stupidly watched a six year old girl getting spanked and  belittled by a principal on TMZ. I’m in a bad head space and hope this episode pulls me out if it. Also, it is PORK CHOP DAY AT Chez Tamara, and I didn’t really have all the ingredients. I almost burned the house down and the cast iron skillet I was using got way too hot and started to lose it’s seasoning. It’s done now but still in the oven and it doesn’t smell that great.

The Quickfire!

I feel like I would really like Portland. I need to travel more in the US. Once, I had a weird time in Seattle once that involved a guy. It was… um… interesting. And I am never going back to Seattle because I was much younger then and in way better shape and I still had to stop and sit down a lot because the hills are MURDER! We are getting a montage of Jaime! Maybe that means she comes back? The kitchen has been transformed into some sort of magical forest for tonight’s quickfire. Tom is there to kick it off because his favorite ingredient is mushrooms. I hate mushrooms. I eat most everything but not mushrooms. It just seems gross. Like chickenfeet. 🙂 There is no immunity. GASP!

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Unlike me the chefs are happy to get a mushroom challenge. They have to work on stumps because Portland is called Stumptown USA or something. Nothing they are making looks good to me. Because, mushrooms. The stumps are all different heights so some people are suffering from having to bend over so low. Dawn can’t get to the oven or the fryer without having to wait for her other chefs. I am behind so I’m not going to go through everyone’s dishes in detail. I feel like Byron’s dish isn’t impressing Tom. Chris, Nelson and Byron are the bottom three. Gabriel, Dawn and Gabe were the top three. Gabriel won and got $10K.

Top Chef RecapThe Elimination Challenge

The elimination challenge is a paired challenge for a surf and turf challenge that also includes some of the local Native American original foods. The chefs get to choose their partners. If they have fish they pick a game meat chef to partner with and vice versa. Gabriel tries to pair up with Shota but Shota wants to pair with Dawn because she has rabbit and he has Smelt. This doesn’t seem like a good pairing to me. But Shota knows more than I do, so it will probably be great. Nelson sort of gets stuck with Gabriel but he is fine with it. He likes Gabriel even though Gabriel is sort of known as being an asshole. Aren’t all chefs though? It’s a double elimination, so they will probably win or lose as pairs.

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The chefs get to go to meet with the tribal leaders to learn about their foods. They also learn how everything is plated. I love Nelson he is so into this challenge and very deferential to the Native American women. Everyone is very respectful. But, Nelson is just very endearing. I like all the chefs this season. Then they get to fish with Native Americans on a pier on the river. They have no fishing poles. Maria is loving this. I feel better already. These are some really lovely chefs.

Cooking For Tribal Leaders

Byron and Maria have very different viewpoints. But, they seem to be compromising. Nelson injured his knee at the orchard and it is giving him serious problems. Even more problems than being paired with Gabriel. Byron and Maria seem to work well together. Same for Gabe and Dawn. I like Avishar and Chris together. In fact, everyone seems to like almost everyone. Shota is making smelt five ways! That seems challenging. Maria disagrees with her partner, Byron. She wants more mole on the plate. Yet ONCE AGAIN she gives in to his suggestion. Oh Maria, stand up for yourself, girl! I may not be able to get you through this episode!

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The Native Americans give a lovely prayer before service. I am now back to being in my  zen place. Oh wow, Byron and Maria are up first. I’m nervous again. They have elk and salmon. The native Americans love it. But, Gail says it needed more of the mole. Stick to your guns Maria and stop deferring your opinions to others! Your instincts are spot on! I’m starving. So I am pulling my porkchop out of the oven. I guess I should let the chop rest for a few minutes. I can already tell that I put in A LOT of jalapenos! Sorry , next up is Chris and Avishar. The Native Americans can barely wait for the plate to land in front of them before diving in to their sturgeon and venison. I feel another actual plate licking coming on. But the judges are really nitpicking and wanted more sauce.

Finger Licking Good Dishes

Dawn and Gabe had the hardest pairing in my opinion… bison and catfish? I love catfish but in my opinion it doesn’t really pair well with any “turf.” The natives LOVED the pumpkin seed molĂ©. Clearly every dish so far has been great. Even the judges don’t nitpick. Up next is Gabriel and Nelson. They are having some major issues with the cook on trout is at issue. Is steelhead, trout? Their turf ingredient is antelope. ANTELOPE? Tom has an issue with the antelope. Padma has an issue with the trout. They are probably going home. Shota and Sara worked really well together with their rabbit and smelt dish. This looks like the winning dish.

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The natives loved ALL OF IT. Tom says it was the best food they had all season. I love how the Native American leader referred to his people as Indians. I’m either one eighth or one 16th Choctaw INDIAN. We’ve been referred to as INDIAN for hundreds of years. It’s not an offensive term to us. The politically correct police are over policing. You still can’t wear Indian headdresses if you are not a highly esteemed member of the tribe. And it is certainly not a Halloween costume. Or something you would wear to a family reunion just because you have Indian heritage.

Judges Table

It looks like they are going to do Judges Table outdoors just like dinner service was. Oregon is a drop dead GORGEOUS state. I am so motivated to travel there once I head into my next chapter that has me without Banjo and fully vaccinated. Gabriel is from Oregon and never gotten to interact with the Indian community. He is very grateful.  The judges loved all of the dishes. But the top two were Gabe and Dawn  and  also Sarah and Shota!  YAY!  SARAH AND MY IMAGINARY BOYFRIEND WON!

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Padma tells the remaining chefs that there were no bad dishes tonight. Whoever goes home is going home on a very good dish. It was difficult to decide. There is no way in hell Avishar and Chris are going home. Gabriel and Nelson could be. Byron and Maria probably are. Because Maria keeps deferring to other people’s opinions. She should have insisted that the mole go on the fucking plate. Last week I was praying for her to stay and she did. But this week. I won’t even care if she goes because she needs so much more confidence!

Wait, Tom seem to be supporting Maria’s dish. It seems to be between the guys team. THEY BEST BY GOD SEND HOME Gabriel and Nelson. My boy Avishar is not going home. AND NELSON AND GABRIEL ARE ELIMINATED!  I feel sorry for Nelson. That is why no one picked him. I feel like Gabriel will be back. The bigger the asshole the better the chef. I can’t wait to watch. But I have to go recap MDLNY.

 

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Filed Under: Top Chef Tagged With: Alice Waters, Amar Santana, Avishar Barua, Brittanny Anderson, Brooke Williamson, Carrie Baird, Chris Viaud, Dale Tadle, Dawn Burrell, Edward Lee, Gabe Erales, Gabriel Pascuzzi, Gabriel Rucker, Gail Simmons, Gregory Gourdet, Kiki Louya, Kristen Kish, Kwame Onwuachi, Maria Mazon, Massimo Dolcefino, Melissa King, Nelson German, Nina Compton, Padma Lakshmi, Portland, Richard Blais, Sara Hauman, Shota Nakajima, Tiffany Derry, Tom Colicchio, Top Chef

About tamaratattles

Come for the tea. Stay for the shade. Not for the easily offended. You're a special snowflake just like everyone else.

Comments

  1. Shay says

    May 6, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    Just passing through to say I wish I had a chef in my house. Love this site and it’s’ host 👍🏼

    Reply
  2. JoJoFLL says

    May 6, 2021 at 11:43 pm

    Oh no! I love Gabriel!

    I like pretty much everyone actually.

    Reply
  3. Chrissea says

    May 7, 2021 at 12:56 am

    Wow, I love how they are showcasing PDX and Oregon. Quite frankly we deserve a great edit. The past year has been rough on us too: lockdowns, fires, murder hornets, etc.

    The chefs and judges are really fun too.

    Do visit Oregon! This Southern Girl loves it!

    Reply
  4. Sera says

    May 7, 2021 at 1:49 am

    Umm, it’s offensive to me as an actual INDIAN. And offensive to canadians where the term is first nations, you aren’t indian.

    Reply
    • tamaratattles says

      May 7, 2021 at 2:23 pm

      Then Native American tribe leader, or whatever he was referred to them a Indian.

      Reply
      • Nanette says

        May 7, 2021 at 10:21 pm

        In the Associated Press Stylebook, the latest term is American Indian. AP considers “actual” correctness over “political” correctness. There are no “indigenous people.” The first people in American came from Asia. A theory back in the 1950s, now proven by genetics. (Remember on Project Runway when Dmitri learned he was part “Native American” from sponsor 23&Me? No, you fucks, “Native Americans” have one of the Siberian genetic links, not the other way around!)

        Anyway, AP doesn’t like “Native American” because without uppercase, anyone BORN in the USA is a native American. What about Tribal American? There always will be some ruffled feathers. NPI!

        Reply
        • tamaratattles says

          May 8, 2021 at 12:05 am

          If you look at the Top Chef IG is say ” We’ll be joined by tribal members and leaders of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Warm Springs” The tribal leader himself used the word Indian. That is how they referred to themselves. So AT THAT POINT I used the word they self-identify as. While people are constantly trying to change terminology, I tend to use the words that people use for themselves.

          Reply
          • Carol Turlington says

            May 8, 2021 at 8:05 am

            I live in Montana so close to Canada and I have never, ever heard the term “first Nation.” Ever.

            Reply
            • Hihokermit says

              May 11, 2021 at 12:48 am

              I’m NE Washington State, close to the border and haven’t heard that either. Always something to learn!

  5. ~ZZZ~ says

    May 7, 2021 at 8:50 am

    YAY! My 2 favorites won. I really like Sarah & Shota.

    So……Nobody is gonna mention Tom’s incredibly ridiculous and distracting thing on his head?
    NO TOM, NO!

    Reply
    • Audrey Stewart says

      May 7, 2021 at 10:34 am

      My favorite chefs also.

      Reply
    • tamaratattles says

      May 7, 2021 at 3:03 pm

      I put Tom in the hat as a top picture because I found it kind of hilarious. lol. It’s silly and yet, I still kind of like it.

      So Jaime beat out Gabriel in LCK. Then the other five chefs all battled it out to be the defender of LCK and SASHA won! I was shock that Sasha won, she couldn’t cook at all in the competitions. Gabriel lost the second elimination by making a SALAD.

      Reply
      • ~ZZZ~ says

        May 7, 2021 at 3:09 pm

        I don’t think I’ve ever seen one quite like it.
        Oh well, I still like Tom!!

        Have a great weekend! ♥

        Reply
      • Annabelle says

        May 7, 2021 at 10:34 pm

        Ok this explains how excited Dawn was in the clip that it was her! But his salad had depth and figs, lol, better that the schnitzel, ok we get it you have a German restaurant!

        Reply
    • Annabelle says

      May 7, 2021 at 9:37 pm

      I was blinded more by his covid 25 that anything else🤪

      Reply
    • Nanette says

      May 7, 2021 at 10:41 pm

      Those hats are considered “slouches” in the knitting world. Google French Revolution red hat. Theory is they were inspired by the Greek Phrygian cap or liberty cap, and red to symbolize the blood from the guillotine. Today’s slouches are kind of like a backward version (Jacques Cousteau wore a modern iteration). Kind of Smurfy too. Seems many cultures have a version. I love the fashion inspired by the French Revolution —lots of stuff— but my favorite were the Incroyables (men) and Merveilleuses (women). The Incredibles and Marvelouses, the punk rockers of the French Revolution. If I had a fashion line, that would be the name. Slouches look better in young people and Reggae (or re-GAY, if you are Ramona) followers. On Tom, Le Ridicule.

      Reply
      • tamaratattles says

        May 8, 2021 at 12:08 am

        I’d wear it.

        Reply
  6. Terri says

    May 7, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    Watching Top Chef always makes me so hungry. I do like mushrooms but I’ve never seen them cooked the way these contestants cooked them. I’d love to try some of those recipes. I really do like all of the chef’s this season and, at this point, I don’t have a favorite. I’d be happy with any one of them winning.

    -ZZZ- you are so right about Tom’s hat.

    Reply
    • ~ZZZ~ says

      May 7, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      Well, I hate mushrooms, but I read that they are so good for you.
      As in lowering your chances of getting cancer by a lot.
      Wish I could figure a way to eat them!

      Reply
      • tamaratattles says

        May 7, 2021 at 4:32 pm

        There are probably supplements if they have medicinal properties.

        Reply
  7. Annabelle says

    May 7, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Anyone see LCK, did I catch that right, who won in pt 2 is back on the show??

    Reply
  8. tamaratattles says

    May 7, 2021 at 10:07 pm

    In my comment above.

    Reply
  9. Lorelli says

    May 9, 2021 at 12:36 am

    Why do I think maybe 2 years ago Padma would have appeared in some sort of
    Native American costume? The political correctness of this season is front and center. And Tom’s hat looks stupid. That is all.

    Reply
    • tamaratattles says

      May 9, 2021 at 1:32 am

      Once more with FEELING, the TRIBE LEADER thanked the chefs for their use of INDIAN FOODS and how they highlighted them. Padma is actually from INDIA. She would have no reason to dress as an American Indian. She’s fine with it the Indian tribe leader is fine with it, so your opinion really doesn’t matter. It’s always the white people who dictate what the latest non offensive word is. That in itself is white privilege. I’m going to always go with what the actual people being addressed choose to refer to themselves. And this tribe uses the word INDIAN. Just as my ancestors did. White people mistakenly called Indians by that name because the white people on the land somehow thought they were in India. My ancestors and their offspring still work on an Indian reservation. They own it and they have not changed the terminology either. I would actually qualify to partake in the income from the casinos. However, I’m old and my grandparents and great grandparents never had a thing called a “birth certificate” let alone one that identified race.

      Reply

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