Immunity Is Gone and the Competitors Heats Up

Buddha Lo is a two-time Prime Chef winner, government chef at Hūso in New York Metropolis, and a Saratoga Spring Water model ambassador. He’s sharing his ideas after every episode of Prime Chef season 21, set in Wisconsin, providing a singular perspective as a former cheftestant.

Warning: This text comprises spoilers.

The episode begins with the aftermath of Restaurant Wars. We’re over the midway level now, so issues are going to get tougher. There isn’t any extra room for taking part in it protected or touchdown within the center as a result of quickly there can be no center.

What I discovered fascinating on this episode was Savannah’s “struggle mirror” that she used for brainstorming. That is one thing I did in my seasons, however I’d write it in my e-book and maintain a chart of the earlier episodes and the challenges. I wrote down each potential problem I assumed was potential for an thought and crossed it off when it occurred. For instance, in my season in Houston, I knew NASA was most probably going to be included right into a problem. I didn’t know when, however I knew as we stored getting nearer to the tip, it was extra possible. So, I deliberate a number of concepts for any end result and chance.

I additionally stored in my e-book a Prime Chef fantasy league, the place I gave factors to winners and the highest three cooks of the Quickfire and Elimination challenges so I might see who was changing into a menace.  

THE QUICKFIRE CHALLENGE

Firstly of this week’s Quickfire, cooks had been instructed that there isn’t any extra immunity for the remainder of the season and that their efficiency within the Quickfires will even issue into who goes house. I like this as a result of it makes cooks accountable for every thing they prepare dinner for the rest of the competitors.

All meals is being thought of when judges resolve who and what number of cooks are eradicated. You should go all the best way with the very best of your craft to indicate why you’re the Prime Chef. It will maintain them on their toes and is an effective addition to the present.

Additionally, the Quickfires simply bought more difficult as a result of the cooks at the moment are cooking for a panel of judges (Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons are becoming a member of Kristen Kish) and a visitor choose, whereas in earlier seasons it was solely Padma Lakshmi and a visitor choose. 

This Quickfire was to create a singular dish utilizing Wisconsin’s state fruit: cranberries. Total, the cooks did nicely, however in contrast to most challenges, the highest three had been introduced first.

Danny actually understood the problem. He made a cranberry poached sea bass with cranberry panade that appeared stunning and artistic. He was on the highest with Michelle who made a cranberry beet soup with foie gras and maple mascarpone; and Dan who made salt and pepper scallops with cranberry pink curry and herbs.

Danny received the Quickfire once more giving him one other $10,000. Amanda, Manny and Laura had been on the underside, making them weak within the Elimination Problem.

THE ELIMINATION CHALLENGE

For the Elimination Problem, the cooks had been to prepare dinner a contemporary Native American dish utilizing solely conventional Native American substances, which means no wheat flour, cane sugar, dairy, pork, beef or hen. All of the cooks used substances chosen by visitor judges Sean Sherman and Elena Terry. I do know so much about Sean as a result of I studied Native American delicacies once we had been on our approach to Tucson for the season 19 finale. Earlier than the problem, the cooks had been handled to a feast and left with a ton of knowledge and inspiration. 

WHO WON

The highest dishes for the Elimination Problem had been made by Dan, Soo and Savannah. Soo made a wild rice gnocchi with glazed candy potato, which was genius. Dan made a dish from all components of the sunflower together with seeds and flower petals making a sunflower choke with braised goose and aronia berry puree — and the judges cherished it.

However the judges had been most impressed with Savannah’s dish: squash and maple jelly cake with aronia berries, grapes and plum jelly that was utterly new to them. All three profitable dishes had been vegetarian and crushed it.

WHO LOST

Michelle, Amanda and Laura had been on the underside for this problem. Michelle made an acorn squash polenta cake with braised rabbit, smoked onions and mushroom. The judges mentioned her cake was soggy and fell aside and the rabbit was dry. Her jus to me appeared extra like a broth than a jus and that is most probably why it was soggy.

Amanda made an elk tataki tartar that the judges didn’t perceive. Laura made a duck tamal wrapped in mustard greens with huckleberry sauce and haroset that the judges felt had means an excessive amount of taking place.

Michelle was saved from elimination as a result of her Quickfire efficiency got here into play. All these curveballs made the episode very fascinating, and finally led to each Amanda and Laura going house.

Prime Chef airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.