Top Chef: All Boys Club

In the last episode before the season finale, the chefs battle it out in Napa Valley after being away for six weeks to recharge their batteries, spend time with family, and prepare in any way they can for the final quickfire and elimination challenges. This week’s guest judge is Top Chef Masters contestant and Food Network TV personality Michael Chiarello. It is a little disappointing, overall, that the food only started to really shine in these final episodes, but I’m happy that the chefs have finally shown us dishes we can be excited about. On the downside, our last female standing is kicked off and the final three are the boys. I think it was Jen’s lack of consistency these past few weeks that led to the decision, but if they only had two competing in the final instead of three, it would be a pretty tough call to make on who would go.

As Jen, Kevin, Michael, and Brian reunite in Napa Valley, a very pregnant Padma and Michael Chiarello greet them. The judges have just stepped off the Napa Valley Wine Train where we find out the chefs will be cooking on their way to their next stop. The final quickfire challenge is to create a dish focusing on the grape. As a big fan of grapes, I thought all of the contestants had tasty looking dishes that I would sample in a heartbeat. Michael wins with his stuffed grape leaves roll and grapes grilled and skewered on an actual grape vine. He wins a brand new Toyota Prius.

In the elimination round the chefs must cater an annual Napa Valley event, aptly called a crush party. This time of the year is all about grape harvesting as sugar levels reach a perfect stage, and it is a celebration honoring the year’s hard work. The challenge calls for two dishes to be made, one vegetarian and one with protein. They are also given the rule that only locally grown produce and meats are to be used. The opportunity to work with fresh organic ingredients is a treat for any chef and our awesome foursome are no exception.

The winner for this round is Bryan with his goat cheese ravioli with delicata squash puree and bronzed fennel; for his protein dish – fig glazed short ribs with celeriac puree and wax beans. I think he won because of his consistent execution on both his dishes. There was an element that was slightly off in everyone else’s.

At this stage of the game, each person has to have a vision and execute it to perfection. Kevin is known to create simple but flavorful and well-executed dishes. Bryan and Michael are both more haute cuisine in their styles, as they push the creative envelope. The older Voltaggio seems to execute more consistently than the younger, though Michael takes more risks. While my impression of Jen’s style this entire season at her best has been about simple flavors as well, Kevin and her are on opposite sides of the temperature spectrum. What has stood out for me has been Jen’s salads and incorporation of cool Asian flavors. On the other hand, Kevin’s food is geared towards his southern roots, which uses more frying, oil, and heat.

With Jen gone, our final three have one more challenge to face before the world finds out who the next Top Chef is. I’m guessing it’s going to come down to Bryan and Kevin because of their execution. Michael is conceptually creative with his flavors and ideas but he needs to work on perfecting his technique. If he can do that, then he could very well win.

For another take on this episode, check out Someone’s Going to Get Their Feelings Hurt by Jaimie Campos.

Season 6, Episode 13: Napa Finale, Part 1 (original air date December 2, 2009)

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Photographs courtesy of  NBC Universal and Virginia Sherwood