Top Chef: Lunch Lady

Late post today, I actually had to do some work this morning. Gasp!

The second episode of Top Chef: DC brought a couple of interesting challenges and less drama than advertised, I can't believe the Bravo marketing machine would do that! Quick fire challenge: Siamese twin sammich challenge! Each contestant had to draw knives to see who they would partner up with for a sandwich challenge. Two people make the best sandwich they can for White House Chef, Sam Kass. Easy right? Oh wait, there's a twist, each contest has to wear one apron basically only making one half of their body functional. I'm surprised that no one lost a finger. Team Angelo and Tracey won the quick fire challenge with a flounder marinated in fish sauce sandwich with spicy sriracha mayo, pickled red onions and herbaceous salad. Maybe Angelo can't lose (it's his third win). They both gain immunity for the elimination challenge.

The elimination challenge took us back to school. All the contestants were divided into teams of four and were asked to make a nutritious lunch for a group of fifty kids at their school with a budget of $134.00. That's $2.68 per child, supposedly the same budget public schools have per child! Team Arnold, Kelly, Lynne, and Tiffany ended up winning the elimination challenge with braised pork carnitas tacos, roasted corn salad with cilantro lime vinaigrette, black bean cake with whole grain and sweet crispy potatoes, and caramelized sweet potatoes and sherbet. Their food looked the best of all the teams in my opinion. The four chosen for elimination from the bottom of the losing teams were Ed, Kenny, Amanda and Jacqueline. Jacqueline was picked as the worst and sent home for the two pounds of sugar she made, I mean for her banana pudding.

Some random thoughts about episode two:

I'd really like to write a more complete recap but I just don't have it in me. I usually just watch the show in real time and then write about what I can remember the next day. Hopefully the recap portion of my posts will improve when there are fewer contestants to keep up with.

Ed: "It is what it is." Ugh, I hope we don't have to hear this all season, again!

Angelo's "liquid love" and "sex on a plate" made me throw up a little in my mouth. Sounds like he's proud of his special sauce.

Based on the previews last week I was hoping to see a knock down drag out cat fight between Arnold and Kelly. Yeah they had a little disagreement over who was hogging the credit for the team effort but it was blown out of proportion methinks.

Apparently Tracey's a lesbian. Who would've thought?

Why couldn't I have went to a grade school that cooked with alcohol? Amanda is an idiot for cooking with sherry when they could've used the money to help bolster the other components of the team meal.

Does anyone think that Angelo would really sabotage his teammates because he had immunity? Should we just refer to him as Douschelo from now on?

Tomato is a fruit not a vegetable. Best snarky comment from the judges.

Gail likes Vodka! I knew there was a reason she was my favorite.

Based on Top Chef history, what was the biggest reason for Jacqueline's demise? The fact that she made a dessert or the fact that she's a caterer?

Next on Top Chef... Expect more drama that never really happened.

I was prepared to give my "Bye Felicia" award to Ed but upon further reflection I think the judges were right and Jacqueline was the proper choice. First of all she didn't fight for a bigger piece of the budget, I mean the team bought sherry for the love of jeebus! Secondly, even I can make banana pudding! Jacqueline, bye Felicia!

Next chef out? Stephen.