Top Chef Las Vegas: Mystery Ingredients

[Photos: © 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

On this week’s episode of Top Chef, the guest judge was Chef Tyler Florence. For the Quickfire Challenge, the cheftestants were each given three key words to use on the web site cookstr.com. They would find out which key words they would work with by taking spins on a slot machine.

These were the dishes they created:

• Mike I. – Stressed, Umami, Asian
  Raw Mushroom Salad with Yuzu Emulsion
• Laurine – Tart, Romantic, Latin
  Crushed Goat Cheese Salad with Orange Jalapeno Vinaigrette & Hibiscus Flowers
• Ash – Tired, Tart, Italian
  “Pantry” Pasta Puttanesca
• Michael V. – Adventurous, Tangy, Asian
  Yuzu Curd with Whipped Greek Yogurt & Seaweed Cracker
• Eli – Stressed, Umami, Latin
  Mushroom Ceviche with Avocado Marble
• Kevin – Stressed, Hot & Spicy, Asian
  Char-Grilled Pork with Vietnamese Herb Salad
• Bryan – Adventurous, Crispy, Asian
  Seared Scallops with Bok Choy and Tempura Beads
• Robin – Stressed, Umami, Middle Eastern
  Root Vegetable Hash with Cumin & Curry Oil
• Ashley – Blue, Cheesy, Middle Eastern
  Feta Pudding with Sumac Dusted Halibut
• Jen C. – Adventurous, Nutty, American
  Maine Diver Scallops with Pistachios and Salmon Roe

The least successful dishes were those of Robin, Eli & Jen C. The best dishes were those of Mike I., Kevin & Michael V. Kevin was named the winner of the Quickfire Challenge. He was awarded the choice between immunity and $15,000. He chose the money.

The Elimination Challenge was a dinner party at their house. They got home to find stocked pantries and everything they would need to make the dinner. They were told they had 3 hours to prepare a dinner party for the judges and a number of top-notch chefs.

The guest chefs had bags containing mystery ingredients the cheftestants would use to make their dish. They paired up to create the dish and these were the creations:

[Bravo Photo: © 2009 NBC Universal, Inc.]

• Ashley & Eli – Grilled Spot Prawns with Red Beet Crème Fraiche Sauce, Gnocchi & Kale
• Robin & Mike I. – Marinated Mushroom & Pickled Asian Pear Roll with Seared Tuna & Scallop
• Laurine & Bryan – Halibut with Sherry-Chorizo Vinaigrette, Yellow Corn Cake & Avocado Mousse
• Kevin & Jennifer C. – BBQ Kobe Beef with Cardamom, Tomato & Ginger Broth
• Michael V. & Ash – Pancetta-Wrapped Halibut with Egg Yolk Ravioli, Asparagus & Fennel Salad

At Judges’ Table, the top two dishes were those of Kevin & Jen and Bryan & Laurine. They told Jennifer that she won the challenge and was given a $10,000 gift card from Macy’s.

The least successful dishes were those of Ash & Michael and Ashley & Eli. The judges chose to send home Ashley because of prawns that were undercooked and gnocchi that was far too salty.

There really seem to be some very talented chefs this season. Even more than in earlier seasons, if that’s possible. I can’t help thinking that it may come down to Bryan, Michael V and Kevin at the end.

Who do you think is going to the finale? Who do you expect to leave next? Let us know!