VegasChatter

Blasts From The Not-So-Distant Past
To lend a helping hand, the 14 other previously kicked off contestants appear from behind a row of grape vines and knives are drawn to determine of the chef’s two sous chefs. Kevin picks Preeti and Ash; Bryan picks Jennifer and Ashley (seemingly the dream team), and Michael picks Jesse and Eli (the seemingly weakest team).

The trios head to the kitchen where they have three hours to prep for the following day. The “mystery” box of ingredients includes all sorts of yumminess including rockfish, Dungeness crab, Kubocha squash and Matsutake mushrooms and everyone scrambles to translate its contents into a winning first course. Bryan comments on Michael’s risky cooking nature, but prides himself on “not playing it safe, but playing it smart.”

Mothers and Sons
Back at Meritage, anxiety sets in for the chefs, but before they can reach for a bottle of carefully product placed wine, their moms arrive on the scene for a verbal peptalk and some hugs. Kevin’s mom soaks up the glory of being on TV in all her southern fabulousness – shimmery eyeshadow circa 1983 and nailing every one-one-one interview shot like she’s auditioning for a Broadway theatrical production. Gawd, we love her. The chefs put on their coast one last time and schlep back to Cyrus where they’re greeted by Tom.

Since Top Chef is all about the unexpected twists, he adds an additional (first) course – a dish inspired by each chef’s childhood and mom’s cooking. They have three hours to pull it together and the Voltaggio brother’s comment on growing up in a single parent household as a result of their parent’s divorce.

Another interesting revelation was Kevin’s admission that he’d been accepted to MIT, but opted to cook instead. We love, love, love that he got the full support of his family to do so. (Ed. Note: Can you guess that we're Team Kevin?))

The Judges' Table Grows
The three chefs scramble to pull together the finest four-course meal of a (their) lifetime and there are some road bumps along the way. Kevin is none too happy about working with slowpoke Preeti, but grateful for Ash’s contributions. He’s unsure about the matsutake mushrooms. And since “bacon is (his) jam,” he decides to include bacon in his dessert.

All three chefs are confident in their first courses as they’re brought out to a table of power players, including Padma, Tom, Gail, the chef’s mothers, Toby Young, Douglas Keane (chef/owner of Cyrus), Bill Terlato, Donatella Arpaia, Stephen Starr, Drew Nieporent and San Nazarian.

Bryan Plays It Safe, As Usz
Bryan was reminded of his mom’s tuna casserole and recreated it using sardines over butterball potatoes. The judges’ reaction: Donatella thought it lacked acid, Gail thought it was too safe and uninspiring and Toby didn’t feel that there were enough contrast in the flavors. His venison saddle, thought, is “perfect for the season,” according to Tom and without flaw according to Gail.

Bryan said the dish was the story of his style and its rich pungent flavor went over well with the judges. For desert, he made a Sheepmilk dulce de leche cheesecake with fig sorbet that Gail deemed a “pastry chef’s dessert.”

Broccoli Evidently Puts Hair on Michael's Chest
On to Michael. Apparently Mr. Fearless was a Mr. Pickypants when it came to food growing up and hated broccoli. He makes a cream of dehydrated broccoli with a Santa Barbara spot prawn (some judges deemed it undercooked). Using the mystery box, he makes a rockfish glazed in dashi with a sweet and sour salad of Meyer lemon and the kubocha squash that goes over well with the judges.

Toby thinks he nailed the matsutake mushroom and liked the boldness of the pickled tomato component. Tom thought the food was well cooked and revealed many different layers of flavor. Michael’s fennel scented squab breast wasn’t as well received – Donatella thought molded mushrooms were gimmicky and Gail felt the mushroom and pistachio cassoulet failed. His chocolate caramel coolant with candied pumpkin seeds got mixed reviewed.

Sure, Michael recognized that it was overcooked, but Gail swooned for the “totally great” flavor combination and the Tom felt it was “almost a very good dessert.” Not a complete fail.

Gimme a K, gimme an E...
Let’s talk about our front-runner pick for Top Chef, Kevin. His ode to mama was southern fried chicken skin with squash (puree? Or was it broth?) and tomatoes.

Padma thought it packed a lot of flavor and the squash had multi-dimensional citrus notes. In typical pig-loving Kevin-style, he also made a pork belly with brussels sprouts, broccoli, and green onion. Unlike most of the pork-centric dishes our fave redhead’s turned out this season, this one lacked a balance of fat and acid (Keane), was not “a knockout” (Toby) and could’ve been “taken a step further” (Tom).

We were tickled by Kevin’s dessert: a roasted banana with a chocolate and bacon mousse. Toby admitted Kevin was on a fast track to being a “culinary superstar, “ just not tonight. Ouch.

Digesting It All
Back at Judges’ Table at Chimney Rock winery, emotions run high as the dishes were dissected yet another time by the judges and each chef is asked why they should be awarded Top Chef.

Bryan believes he’s shown his style and expressed his cuisine throughout the season. Michael quips that he just doesn’t want Bryan to be Top Chef, but then gets all sentimental saying that food is how he expresses himself, his emotion, and that it’s all he knows how to do and what he loves to do. Aww…that’s sweet. Then why have you been acting like a jackass the past few episodes?

Kevin espouses his love for food and its ability to comfort and bring people together. Tom tells Kevin that he’s proven that Southern food is more than biscuits and gravy, but Padma tells him he’s not Top Chef. Wah.

Tension and emotions run high as the Voltaggio brothers stand side-by-side and Bryan says he can’t think of a prouder moment their lives. Michael responds that they cooked their hearts out and accomplished what they set out to do. It really is heart-wrenching moment watching these two guys in the final moments of what’s been such a fierce competition.

Who Wins Big For the Last Time
Michael is awarded the honor of Top Chef, gets all choked up and comments, “There’s the emotion you were waiting for Padma.” Bryan is understandably disappointed coming in second place, but proud of his little brother. This guy is such a class act; we cannot help but respect the hell out of him.