Top Chef Las Vegas : Season 6, Episode 5 Recap
Contestants Go Camping and Prepare a Menu for Ranchers
Sep 17, 2009
Season 6 of Top Chef: Las Vegas continued on Wednesday, September 16 on Bravo with Episode 5 entitled "Camping". The remaining contestants are battling it out for a feature in Food and Wine Magazine, $100,000 of merchandise from Macy's, a showcase at Aspen's Food and Wine Classic and $125,000 from Glad products.
Quickfire Challenge
Episode 5 begins with the introduction of Quickfire Challenge guest judge, Tim Love, who is the owner and chef of the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro in Fort Worth, TX. In a new twist for the show, fans were able to text their vote for the quickfire challenge ingredient. Cactus wins 57% of the vote, beating out rattlesnake and kangaroo.
The Quickfire dishes least preferred by Love belong to:
- Ash: Cactus "Grilled Cheese". Love states that he can not taste the cactus and the tortilla is dry.
- Michael V: Avocado Roll with Cactus Coconut Ceviche and Red Cactus Coulis. To Love, this dish, "is like two trains coming together."
- Rob: Chipotle Swordfish with Cactus Sauce and Mango and Papaya Crab Salad. The fish is overdone, according to Love, and the crab tastes, "rancid."
The Quickfire dishes most preferred by Love belong to:
- Laurine: Cactus Salsa with Achiote Glazed Pork Chop. Love enjoys her flavors.
- Mike I: Cactus and Tuna Ceviche with Pipian. Love states that Mike's is a well prepared dish and one of the only dishes that showed off the cactus itself.
- Mattin: Breaded Cactus, Halibut with Tequila Pickled Cactus and Red Cactus Puree. Love likes the tequila used by Mattin and that he also, "showcased," the cactus.
Mike I. wins the Quickfire Challenge. He wins $15,000 from M Resort, but is not given immunity for the elimination challenge.
Elimination ChallengeThe elimination challenge is to prepare the high-end dish of their choice for two dozen cowboys at a ranch. Each chef will make his or her own dish. The chefs arrive at the campsite, where they will be spending the night in tents. Love has set up rustic, outside cooking conditions including fire pits and caste iron pans for the next morning's challenge.
The following morning the chefs are given one hour and 15 minutes to prep and cook. Due to the conditions and time restraints, tension builds between the chefs. The hungry ranchers arrive to eat, along with Love and Top Chef judges Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons.
The judges favorites:
- Ashley: Seared Halibut with Avocado Mousse, Bacon, Tomato & Braised Romaine. The judges feel this is her strongest dish so far in the compition.
- Bryan: Roasted Pork Loin, Corn Polenta, Dandelion Greens & Glazed Rutabaga. According to the judges, this is a restaurant quality dish.
- Laurine: Sautéed Arctic Char with Tomatillo Salsa, Corn Salsa and Grilled Potato. The judges like the simplicity of her dish.
- Michael V: Dashi with Miso & Minin Cured Black Cod & Watermelon. His flavors work well and his dish is cooked well, according to the judges.
Bryan wins the elimination challenge, which is his third elimination win in the compition thus far. However, other than being named the winner, he receives no immunity or prize.
The dishes least enjoyed by the judges:
- Robin: Grilled Romaine Salad with Drunken Prawns & Spicy Chicken Sausage. The shrimp is not cooked well, according to the judges.
- Mattin: Ceviche Three Ways- Salmon with Apple, Spicy Tuna & Cod with Corn. The judges feel that the cod is undercooked, and judge Tom Colicchio actually spits it out.
- Ron: Coconut, Lime, Mango and Tuna Ceviche & Haitian Coconut Mojito. Aside from being a little sweet, the judges feel that his Ceviche is not bad. However, they feel his mojito is, "bitter and acidic."
Mattin is eliminated and asked to pack his knives. He states that he feels he fell short in this challenge, but will continue cooking what he enjoys.
