Previously on Top Chef: Texas — padding! And now… more padding!
This week we go from three conchefstants … down to two! I never would have guessed! Sarah is still happy and gloating from Beverly’s loss last week, while Paul says they’ve all become friends but that all changes when they get in the kitchen. Classic Paul! He’s the best. Right? Back in Vancouver, they’re in Chinatown (apparently), which means Sarah is glad Beverly isn’t there, since she’d totally win. Beverly isn’t in the competition anymore, Sarah. Stop it.
Padma and Emeril, the King of the Kitchen, are there to greet them, and give the Quickfire challenge: something Asian. Of course. They will be paired with three Top Chef masters: Anita Lo, Floyd Cardoz, and Takahashi Yagahashi. And Sarah is vibrating in happiness at the sight of Takahashi, and is even mega-excited that Paul gets him. Calm down, Sarah. The unexpected if expected twist? Every ten minutes they must tag in their partner. Nicely played, Top Chef. This twist actually applies to cooking talent, not arbitrary nonsense. WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED? And gasp! Anita (paired with Lindsay) uses Scallops! Huzzah! Scallopy the Top Chef mascot approves.
But Sarah has successfully decoded Floyd’s clever cod with coconut curry and clementine crab salad (that’s some impressive alliteration), and it gives her the 30,000 dollar win! I guess we can’t give Paul all the money. But now it’s time for the main event! The chefs will prepare a special dish for a fire and ice cocktail party (whatever that is) — and naturally, the dish must have a hot element and a cold element. That actually sounds a bit interesting and difficult. Shock! Two challenges that aren’t about silly things and apply to cooking skills? Top Chef, you surprise me!
More anger and bitterness about Beverly, this time from Lindsay — this time Lindsay won’t screw up her fish. Calm down, Lindsay! Sob story from Sarah, who dropped out of high school to go to culinary school. Interesting — I’d guess that means she’s either out or just barely in. The challenge seems to be creating intriguing results. Sarah is making her own pasta, while Paul is wringing the necks of lobsters with fury and rage (I mean, not really — he looks sweaty but fairly calm. Classic Paul.). Then … wait a minute! Lindsay and Sarah sigh that this will be the last time they’ll be cooking together. What’s that supposed to mean? Are they admitting they know Paul will be in the finals? I mean, they’re right, but still … surprised they admitted it at all.
Finally we see the tasty dishes — king crab and lemon snow from Paul, stuffed pasta from Sarah, and halibut with celery root salad from Lindsay. The judges are mixed on the results, some favoring one more than another. And the winner/loser/neither? First, Sarah is informed that she’s moving on — ah, so it’s that one. So it’s between Paul and Lindsay, and … Lindsay is out! Surprise! (Sort of.) And Paul wins the Challenge, getting a free trip to Costa Rica. Sarah claims she knew all along it would be her and Paul in the end … yeah, sure you did. But you know what that means! Next week is the finale, with its tears and sweat (hopefully not too much in the food) and either Paul will win (justifiably) or Paul will screw up (it can happen). I’m rooting for Paul not to screw up!
Clacked by Jeremy Fogelman 
on Feb 23, 2012 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
Surprised Sarah made it, her dish appeared to be a failure. She told Tom the mousse was going to melt and create the pasta sauce but it ended up frozen solid and her cocktail didn’t go with the pasta at all according to the judges.
I didn’t know it was actually possible to apply that much sarcasm to one’s writing. Interjection!