Top Chef Masters: The Old Rooster and Oprah

The last finalist before the Championship Round emerges!

But first! Four new chefs: Art Smith, the namedropper (and all that that implies); Michael Cimarusti, the seafood youngin’; Jonathon Waxman, the canned food snob; and Roy Yamaguchi, the Hawaiian-Asian fusion master.

Quickfire. Kelly instigates some polite smack talk, and then the chefs draw numbered knives: they must cook a meal only using ingredients from the corresponding food aisle at Whole Foods, with a budget of $20. The judges are Whole Food employees.

Let’s get Art Smith’s famous names out of the way first. He’s cooked for Oprah, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Julia Child, the King of Sweden, and President Obama. Start gagging now.

Jonathon complains about using canned and jarred goods because he “never” uses those things. I use them all the time, and though I understand that the chefs prefer fresh ingredients, it’d be nice if they weren’t so condescending and dismissive about staples we normal people use. Because he’s “not that kind of chef.” Now I hate Jonathon also, and we’re only 10 minutes into the episode.

Roy’s pasta with fried egg and Asian flavors strikes the diners as weird, but the flavors win them over. Jonathon’s mint lentil and roasted pepper salad does well, but with too much onion. Art’s risotto and crispy rice salad also scores points with the diners and Michael’s chocolate parfait blows them away.

As a result, Jonathon earns 3½ stars, Roy 4 stars, Art 4½ stars, and Michael wins 5 stars.

Elimination Challenge. The chefs draw knives again, this time with the name of another chef (which they keep hidden): they must shop and create a mystery box of 11 ingredients, to be presented to their “Secret Santas,” who will then prepare a dish using at least 7 of the included ingredients.

For all the egos in the room, the chefs put together fair and balanced boxes for their competitors, truthfully wanting to see the other chefs succeed and surprise with their culinary awesomeness. Roy shopped for Art, providing ingredients that he’s familiar with and in love with. Art shopped for Roy, and Roy seems happy with his box.

Michael gives Jonathon pork chops because he knows how much Jonathon loves that meat; however, though Jonathon claims he wants to see Michael shine, he does not provide Michael with seafood.

Over food preparation, there’s a lot of teasing and laughing. The egos are huge, but the older three chefs have known each other for years, and there’s a lot of mutual respect.

Service. Gail Simmons returns as judge, kicking out Jay Rayner. Art cooks a trio: fried chicken two ways with a mango pie dessert. It looks terrible, but Gail loves his passion and ability to “ooze.” She means the food. Roy makes short ribs and mahi mahi, using the same spices on both proteins. Gael loves the mahi mahi, even if it’s a plain fish, while others found the spices overpowering. Michael’s loin of lamb and vegetables is enjoyable, but Oseland says while nothing is terrible, nothing is off the charts great. Jonathon creates “a retro ‘80’s dish” of pork chop and sausage. Gael loves the ‘80’s story, and the other diners and critics love the food.

Critics Table. Kelly shouts her way through the whole segment (wth?). Gail once again brings real criticism and questions, while the other critics land some soft hits. Art talks a little about his awesomeness. In general, the chefs thank each other and compliment their fellow competitors for how they looked out for each other in the creation of the mystery boxes, and the tips given while the cooking went on. The judges are impressed by the teamwork, as am I. Could you imagine Top Chef contestants like this? I’m not sure if a friendly season would be impressive or boring?

Time to award stars! Roy lands in the bottom with 15 stars; Michael earns 17½ stars; Jonathon scores 20 stars; but Art wins the night with 22 stars and pretends to be humble.

The chefs exit interview out how much fun they had, which is nice to hear, but unfortunately, this means at least another week with Art. Doesn’t Oprah need him back in Chicago?

Next week: The top 6 compete!

Listen to The J Factor with J.B. and Jaimie here or on iTunes.

Season 1, Episode 6: Trick in a Box (originally aired July 22, 2009)

For more on Top Chef Masters, click here.

Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo

Photographs courtesy of NBC Universal