Top Chef recap

Sneaky, sneaky.

Those "Top Chef" producers threw us a curve ball by bringing back the last three kicked-off contestants - Leah, Jamie and Jeff - for a get-back-in-the-game challenge judged by the understated, low-key Mr. Lagasse.

(He's been in a catch phrase recovery program for some time and it's seems to be working. Not once did he scream "Bam!" Someone give Emeril a gold coin.)


But wasn't it strange, and awkward, that the Final Four had to sit and watch the other three cook a Cajun-Creole inspired dish with crawfish? And didn't everyone looked cold sitting on a picnic bench drinking what looked like a pitcher of beer? (Kind of a low rent moment. Did Padma, Tom and Emeril lock them out of the mansion?)


Cracked me up that right after the judges tasted Leah's crawfish soup, she started chugging a beer. Woo-hoo, way to get into the Mardi Gras spirit, Leah!


Jamie's corn cake, collard greens and crawfish looked good, but Southern-born Jeff scores with grits and crawfish and gets a second chance.

Elimination Challenge was one for the brave - make two Creole dishes and a cocktail for a New Orleans krewe. (No one is harsher than the locals when it comes to hometown eats.)

It immediately reminded me of a cookbook by Louisiana author Marcelle Bienvenu: "Who's Your Mama, Are You Catholic & Can You Make a Roux?"


Have you ever tried to make a good, dark roux? There's a delicate balance between dark and rich and burned. Lots of stirring going on and you have to be careful of splattering. Get some on your skin and you'll find out real fast why Louisiana chefs call it Cajun napalm.

If you're looking for New Orleans-style cuisine locally, check out Cajun Kate's or Saint George's Country Store.



Most of the chefs stepped up to the plate, but Stefan's cocky act has grown more stale than a three-day old beignet. I want to play poker with Chef Tom Colicchio because he's not one to hide his emotions. Colicchio might want to see an ophthalmologist after all the eye-rolling going on while he was listening to Stefan - or should we call him Old Smoky, given the amount of cigarette breaks he took this episode? - explain that he doesn't care that roux in his gumbo wasn't dark enough.

But the Battle of the Baldies continues - Stefan stays and so does Hosea (who you know so wants to clock Stefan.) Hosea's menu - duck andouille and chicken gumbo, pecan-crusted catfish and a hurricane with Grand Marnier and rum - was the one I would want to eat first.

Jeff's good looks earned him plenty of beads (and maybe a few flashes?), but his mojito and oysters weren't enough to win this one. Bye-bye (again) Blonde Guy.

Fabio - whose car is like "poo" just in case you missed that line -fails to impress with homemade pasta and maque-choux. (And, hmmmm, just what is a bell pepper martini anyway?) The European Union is split when Mr. Charming Accent Guy can't spin a plate of spaghetti and has to say "Ciao." And for that, I'm truly sorry. But I don't think we've seen the last of Fabio. He's way too entertaining. And he's William Shatner's personal chef.

The not-so big surprise of the night is that Carla - Carla! - gets a big ole "hootie hoo" from the judges. She takes home the car and earns the No. 1 spot for her oyster stew, beignets and alcohol-free beverages.

Only one episode left. Is it Beaker's game to lose?

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez.