Eli Kirshtein went for the gold — but was cut before making it into the top 4 on Wednesday’s Top Chef. The Atlanta-based chef gave the final challenge — competing in a culinary Olympics — his all, but ultimately served some undercooked lamb that sent him packing. Calling to discuss his fate, Kirshtein said he knew that it was his time to go and also opened up about tensions in the kitchen with Robin. –Brian Orloff
How daunting was it competing in a Bocuse d’Or — and serving that huge panel of chefs and diners?
All the other [challenges], you drop off your food, say, “Here’s what it is,” and you walk away. This one, you’re in front of a huge panel of people and you’re presenting the food and serving it, so it was an amazingly intense in that respect. Much more than who the judges were — because by that point in the competition you just become numb to the caliber [of judges]. You’re just more nervous that you have to stand there and talk.
Was it a fair final challenge? It required you all to cook in a style that was so different from what’s expected on Top Chef. (more…)
Only four chefs would be moving on to the Top Chef finals after Wednesday’s episode — but not before the five remaining contestants competed in one of the toughest challenges on the show yet: A culinary Olympics. Modeled after the Bocuse d’Or, a worldwide culinary competition, Michael, Bryan, Eli, Jen and Kevin had to wow a who’s who of diners with a mirrored platter containing one protein and two garnishes — and, no, that doesn’t mean a sprig of parsley.
Las Vegas has been a major character all season on Top Chef, but on Wednesday the chef-testants came face to face with something truly emblematic of Sin City when the six remaining chefs had to cook up a dish inspired by a visit to a classic casino. And in their Quickfire, they had to contend with another Vegas staple: room service!
He’s brash, fiery and, after Wednesday’s episode,
Natalie Portman paid a visit to the seven remaining chefs this week — and threw them a delightful curve ball. While the contestants were prepared to cook a meat-heavy dinner in Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak restaurant, the actress waltzed in before they started prepping, announced she was a vegetarian and that she expected some upscale, creative fare. Jen C. summed up the group’s sentiment. “I’m thinking, ‘Oh s—t,” she announced. Cue the panic!
There are only eight chef-testants left — which can only mean one thing: Restaurant Wars! But before the epic showdown began, the chefs were split into teams for a Quickfire Challenge that rendered them blind and mute.
He’s not one to mince words — and Toby Young has something pointed to say about the team that wins Top Chef’s beloved Restaurant Wars challenge which airs tonight: They opened the best restaurant in Top Chef history. A surprising bit of praise for the usually cantankerous Brit, sure, but Young says this season he’s buckling down and taking his judging responsibilities “more seriously.” Young also opens up — on the phone — about tonight’s challenge and which chefs have impressed him most. –Brian Orloff
He’s been cooking alongside brother all season with little incident — but this week things took a heated turn for Michael and Bryan Voltaggio during a fiery outburst in the kitchen. Calling from Los Angeles, Michael, 30, spoke of the pressures of competition, what he thought of Ash’s praise last week at Judges’ Table and which Voltaggio brother is the better chef. –-Brian Orloff
Top Chef was all about the pairings on Wednesday’s show -– and we’re not talking about a partner challenge. This week, the chefs had to match a pinot noir with a pork dish and cook for a large crowd at an event with a tough guest judge to boot. All in all, a pretty satisfying episode packed with plenty of drama outside the kitchen too.
Love her or hate her, it’s hard not to have an opinion about Robin Leventhal — the verbose chef who has been in the top and bottom this season on Top Chef. Her fellow chefs have been equally vocal about their redhead opponent — with Mike Isabella going as far to call her one of the “weakest competitors” left on the show. (Isbaella, coincidentally, was paired up with Leventhal on 







