talking the talk and walking the wok

Well it's the first part of the finale of Top Chef and we find our remaining chefs in Singapore. We first see Kelly, and my, what colorful and plaidy Bermuda shorts she has on. It doesn't surprise me that she wears Bermuda shorts; she seems like the type to do so. Kelly sits at a table in the middle of what is basically a giant street-food court. Booths, carts, and kitchens all together, and filled with people cooking what are sure to be mouth-watering (because of the spice and the taste) delights. After being taken on a tasting tour by a world-renowned expert on Singapore's famous street food, the chefs were given a Quickfire Challenge to create their own similar dish using the one, the only, wok. The wok. I've always thought of it as a giant frying pan without a handle. And I would have assumed that these chefs--being chefs--have all used a wok, and used it often. WRONG. Turns out Kevin has never used one, and Padma appropriately asked what was wrong with him. Seriously, Kevin, what is wrong with you? You're a chef. And I know that there are some pretty crazy cooking utensils out there, but even I know a wok is pretty common. Am I wrong? Well, despite his lack of wokking experience, Kevin's dish was received well. But Ed walked away with the win with his stir fry noodles. And guess what? He got IMMUNITY. I know, I know. So late in the game, and Padma offers up immunity, which means Ed automatically moves on to the final finals. EXCITING. What's even more exciting is that Ed beat Angelo. Throughout the whole competition, Angelo has been cooking food with a mostly Asian influence. He constantly brings up his restaurant, where he serves Asian dishes. So, yeah, you could assume that Angelo is an expert. But Ed beat him. That had to have felt good.


But of course having immunity doesn't even affect Ed. Sure, he may feel a little less stressed seeing as he's automatically in the finals but, um, he wants to win too. And I commend him for that. It'll only help him in the long run, when the judges weigh the four finalists' performances throughout the challenges. Speaking of challenges, what was the Elimination Challenge? I'll tell you. Dana Cowan of Food and Wine is hosting an event to celebrate the tastes of Singapore and the chefs are responsible for the menu. Well that sounds easy enough. How about 4 dishes--one per chef? Sure, sure, everyone agrees that that sounds like the plan. Each chef will create one dish for the final challenge. One dish. Oh but wait a minute. Just as the chefs were prepping their food, in walks good 'ol Tom Colicchio working the Tim Gunn routine and checking in. Not only do we learn of his shock that the chefs are only putting out four dishes. Not only do we learn that the chefs must now come up with 2 dishes each. We learn that Ed went shopping, already having 2 dishes in mind. Oh SNAP. Of course everyone is shocked/upset that Ed went ahead and did this without perhaps bring up the idea that it would be a good idea for everyone, but c'mon people--this is a COMPETITION. You best be prepared for twists and turns (see end of previous paragraph concerning immunity).

So here were are in the kitchen of a fabulous resort and the chefs are anything but relaxed. Well, I guess you could say Ed's pretty much the same as usual. But Kelly, for example, is so flustered, she slices her finger and it is a bloody, gushing mess. In case my other posts on this blog haven't revealed it yet, I'm slightly paranoid. Not about everything, just about a lot of things. And bodily fluids in the kitchen is one of those things. Kelly is a trooper for cutting her finger, putting a glove over it, and powering through. I have to give her that. But if I was a diner and found out that my food was prepared by a woman with a bloody finger, I probably would be completely turned off from eating it--BUT THAT'S JUST ME.

In the end, Kelly completing her two dishes, even with a bloody finger, was all done in vain (pun intended--I know, but I couldn't resist.) because her food just didn't cut it (I can't help it). You can't get to the finals simply because you happen to make a great guava salad. Angelo and Kevin are through. I was worried about Kevin for a minute, when he couldn't get his cockles open. You know how it goes: everyone's having fun and laughing until someone's cockles won't open! Ed is through as well (obvi) but he also WON the challenge. His banana fritters and sweet and sour pork took him all the way to the win. And quite honestly, I don't like bananas (did I mention I'm a picky eater? I know, why do I even watch this show, right?) but those fritters looked kind of amazing. And Tom was right when he told Ed he would completely sell out if he made those fritters street food in the East Village.

So we say goodbye to Kelly, and say hello to the final four. Right now, I'm rooting for Ed. Angleo's a good chef but he just rubs me the wrong way. I guess Kevin's decent but for some reason, I just don't care about him. He's a bit of a hot-head, and uh, yeah he wears a popped collar. And he's pulled the whole, "I have a family" thing way too often. I know, I'm really compassionate. Ed. I like Ed. I'm not in like with him, but I like him. He lives in Queens, and that's right next to my borough of Brooklyn. He's sarcastic, which is always welcome in my book. And throughout the competition, he's created many fried creations. So yes, that being said, I like Ed, and I hope he goes all the way.

We shall see...