Top Chef Power Rankings (10/28/09)

So last night was service at head judge Tom’s restaurant. Tom’s restaurant is a steak place in the MGM Grand, so as soon as all the Chef’s got in, they start figuring out what kind of meat they want. Then the curve ball comes. Special guest judge Natalie Portman is a vegetarian. All the chef’s had to adjust and some rose to the challenge while others failed. Mike I was sent packing. I can’t disagree with the choice because none of the judges liked his dish and the main protein wasn’t even a protein, which was not cooked correctly. Throughout the season he has done nothing to impress outside of knowing how to cook a cactus so to send him packing wasn’t a bad choice.


Top Shelf

Kevin “Red Beard Gillespie



Red Beard went two for two yesterday winning both the elimination challenge and the quick fire. Mike V was disappointed he didn’t win saying he could have made Red Beard’s dish in 20 min. I think the main reason Red Beard won was that his vegetarian dish had substance to it which is something vegetarian judge Portman was looking for. Red Beard also delivered the line of the night while they chef’s were treated to dinner. One chef said, “It’s not an accident Kevin’s fat,” to which Kevin responded, “Yes, it’s a personal choice.”


Bryan Voltaggio



Bryan was very disappointed in himself this week and even seemed flustered for the first time. He was running low on time and was unable to plate his entire dish. The judges were not particularly over whelmed or under whelmed as he was the only chef who did not go see the judges. Even with his brothers recent surge, the overall seasons performance leaves Bryan in the two spot


Mike Voltaggio



Mike being bitter and angry is a growing trend on the show. I am not sure if he is trying to use this as a tactic, or if the stress and length of the season is starting to weigh on him. He had another good night with what seemed like the second best dish on the show.


Could Go Either Way


Jennifer Carroll



I moved her down one category after her recent poor run. I was debating about dropping her below Eli, but she has been better then him throughout the most of the show. If she continues her struggles she could easily be sent packing, but she is also one of the better chef’s on the show.


Best of the Rest


Eli Krishtein



Eli had a top finish last night. He has been consistent throughout the show, producing good dishes but not good enough to win. With Jennifer’s recent struggles, his chances of making the final 4 have improved. Unless he completely bombs I don’t see him getting cut next week; so then the week after, he could make a winning dish and make his way to the finals.


Chopping Block.


Robin Leventhal



As I discussed earlier, I don’t disagree with Mike I getting cut, saying that, Robin has been the 2nd worst chef on the chopping block a crazy amount of times. She keeps skating by, and now I don’t see any chefs who will screw up bad enough to let her continue to get through.