Well, Gang, it looks like for tonight’s Top Chef Recap we are going fishing! I used to love to fish but not on a boat. I’m a puker. I hope the weather gets better by morning. At least Tom gave them some nausea meds. The next morning we learn that Damarr has never fished. There is no quickfire this week because they are going to be fishing for their proteins plus $200 for incidentals. If they don’t catch a fish that $200 is all they will have. They also must make two different fish dishes with two different preparations. There are several famous chef joining the judges to rate their dishes.
Getting Fishy With It
After an hour and a half no one has caught a fish. So the move to another spot. There, everyone starts reeling in bull redfish and they are big. Do they taste like regular red fish because they are my favorite. Darmarr catches a really big one and it seems like a life changing experience for him. Sarah is the only one not catching anything. She finally caught one. Back on shore Sarah struggle to filet her fish. Damarr is making blackened redfish. MY FAVORITE. A few people are making tacos. BRING IT TO MY MOUF!
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Sarah is doing a crudo? What is the fascination with crudo on a competition show. It’s not even cooked. And with such beautiful fish? And she is adding tofu? I think I might hurl. I don’t even understand her second dish. She is over complicating things. Seriously. You are killing me here, Sarah! Evelyn is making a Mexican fish soup and fish tacos. YES! That is how you do it. I have no idea what Budda is doing but it seems like real Asian food with seaweed and the whole nine. Nick is making fried redfish tacos with a smoked tomato cremad. His second dish is seared bull redfish with a lemon beurre blanc and and a mushroom ragout. I’ll pass on the mushroom part. Damarr is also doing a crudo but he redeems himself for making blackened redfish as his second dish. The thai vinaigrette doesn’t seem to go with the dish.
Time To Taste The Dishes
Budda is up first and as usual his plates look like artwork. His presentation is phenomenal. One of the fancy chef actually moans (in a good way) tasting his dish. As usual he gets raves from all the judges. Well, Padma did say the fish was a tiny bit dry. The judges love Evelyn’s soup but there is not enough fish in it. And it’s a fish challenge. Her tacos didn’t really go over well. Everyone seemed to have a different minor issue. Someone needs to screw up, in order for Evelyn to stay.
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Maybe my girl Sarah? She is cussing in the kitchen and the chefs can hear her. They liked her crudo a lot. They loved her pastrami dish. Nick is in big trouble in the kitchen his food is not ready and he is a hot mess. His tacos are dry. His redfish cakes are not cakes. Damarr’s crudo is bland. His redfish is great but they didn’t like the Thai vinaigrette either. He should have stuck with the Cajun theme. There is no Thai vinaigrette in cajun food.
The Judges Table
I predict Budda wins and Nick and Damarr will be in the bottom with Nick going home. But, Evelyn may get a talking to. Sarah and Budda are told that they had the top two dishes of the night. Sarah is literally shocked every time she wins something, but even Budda seems shocked this time. They both seem to be tearing up. Sarah wins! Nick goes home. 🙁 These eliminations keep getting sadder and sadder. Next week, the final four the finalists go to Tuscon. They have to cook with cactus and something else I’ve never heard of. Evelyn should nail this! See you next week!
I am so very happy for Sarah, Evelyn and Damarr! Buddha too, lol
So sad to see Nick go. I really liked him – but I really like all the remaking chefs. Next week should be a nail biter!
Remaining, not remaking 🙄
I was surprised Sarah won as I thought Buddha had it but happy for her. What a talented group of chefs they have this season!
Great show! Think this is Buddha’s to loose but I was so happy to see Sarah win. Think the top two will be Evelyn and Buddha and Buddha is fancier so he will win.
This is one of the best seasons of top chef. I’m really emotionally invested in all the chefs at this point making the episodes a roller coaster for me. I started crying about half way through this episode as I knew nick was likely on his way out. Very happy for Sarah, last chance kitchen has taken a toll on her ego so hoping this win puts her in a better place. At this point I’m team buddha.
It was sad to see Nick fail so badly. He did elevate Mississippi food and I hope he’s brought back on future shows. Sarah must have killer food instincts to get through lkc and then head to the finals. She’s a tough cookie to deal with all that stress. Of the remaining chefs, Damarr seems the weakest.😢 he’s had his ups and downs.
It was hard to see Nick go. As we have all said, this group of chefs have been so easy to root for. I’m glad that Sarah got a win. She was really in her head when she got back from LCK. I hope this helps her!
I love Sarah and Buddah. Actually, I like them all this season and enjoy watching each week. Thanks for the recap!
I LOVE these chefs. I look forward to seeing this show every week and don’t read your recap until I’ve watched the episode.
Sorry to see Nick go,he is very talented and represents Mississippi well.
Evelyn always makes delicious food but they mentioned something about her cooking being safe with the Mexican dishes this round.
I’m so excited about this show. The chefs are awesome and have wonderful personalities. No one is a jerk or catty, I love it.
Sarah’ s dish was so creative, pastrami fish. The judges said it could be a signature dish for her. She is really good, especially to survive Last chance kitchen.
Buddha- his dishes are so pretty and the taste matches the presentation based on the judges.
I was worried when Demarr made crudo for the first time snd then forgot to salt it. Nick made bigger mistakes and that saved Demar.
I’m picking Buddha and Evelyn for the top 2, wirh Buddha winning it all. I think Buddha has some more tricks and techniques up his sleeve that will wow the judges in these final rounds .
This has been a great season of Top Chef. They all deserve to be there and I’m sorry Nick got eliminated. It’s going to be a really hard choice next week on who to eliminate. Buddha seems to have the inside track but Damarr, Evelyn, and Sarah are all brilliant 80% of the time so it’s anybody’s game.
I love everyone this year! Demarr and Nick were such kind gentlemen at judge’s table. When they mentioned how great it was to have someone that looked like them on the show, I realized that the final group is pretty diverse – a latino woman, an asian man, an african american man and a white woman. Kinda nice — all different races, cultures and sexes and yet they all respect and like each other. Maybe there is hope for humanity after all!
Will be happy no matter who wins this season. Not sure who (whom?) I want to win fan favorite — too many great ones to chose from this year.
Just watched this episode. I’m from Jackson Mississippi and know Chef Nick. Was very sad to see him go. But I realized during restaurant wars that Buddha was going to take the win this season. He’s studied Top Chef and knows the game. Plus his food looks and tastes great. If Evelyn doesn’t come out of the safe zone, she will come in second.
But this has been one of the better seasons.
Very bummed that Nick is gone. Was hoping he’d win the title.
Agreeing with the general consensus that Buddha consistently makes beautiful-looking dishes that, we hear, taste great as well. Hoping he’ll take the final.
I couldn’t decide who would win this season: Buddha or Damarr. But I think I have to go with Buddha. He seems to be so consistent.