Reactions to Top Chef Texas Episode 7

A new day in the Top Chef Kitchen and the cheftestants were greeted by Padma and Tim Love, of the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, standing near a variety of Don Julio Tequilas. The Quickfire Challenge was to come up with a dish that paired well with a tequila of their choice. There was no immunity, but a $5,000 prize for the winner. After 30 minutes of cooking, Padma and Tim tasted the dishes. Heather was called out for a dish that didn't pair well with the tequila, Chris J. was tripped up by dry chicken, and Sarah missed with overcooked risotto. On the top of the heap were Chris C., Lindsay, and Ty-Lor with Ty-Lor taking the prize for his spicy Thai clams.

For the Elimination Challenge, the chefs were put into teams of two based on how they were standing together at the time the challenge was announced. They were tasked with putting together a 6-course menu of game for Tim Love and a group of his famous chef friends. In addition to the regular judges, the cheftestants would judge each other's dishes to pick the worst teams. The teams shook out like this:

Venison - Dakota and Nyesha
Squab - Paul and Sarah
Elk - Chris J. and Grayson
Boar - Lindsay and Chris C.
Duck - Beverly and Heather
Quail - Ed and Ty-Lor

The challenge would end in a double elimination, but the winning team would split $10,000. After the usual frantic shopping trip, the chefs returned to the kitchen for three hours of prep. Then it was off to the cramped kitchen at the Lonesome Dove to finish and serve their dishes. After the tastings by the judges at the table and the chefs in the kitchen, Padma asked Ed and Ty-Lor to come out and accept their win for their exceptional quail.

Then the chefs were given 15 minutes to fight amongst themselves to determine which teams should be in the bottom three. They finally decided on Teams Venison, Elk, and Duck. An extended period of time was devoted to Grayson chewing out Chris J. for his ill-advised sweet potato component and Heather creating various Beverly/Bus trajectories. Ultimately though, it was Padma, Tom, and guest judge Hugh Acheson who had to make the call on the team to be sent packing. In the end, it was not Chris J.'s bad sweet potatoes or Heather and Beverly's muddled duck dish, but rather Dakota and Nyesha's undercooked venison that got the thumbs down.

Next week, the venue moves to Austin and Emeril returns as a guest judge. So what did you think of last night's episode? Leave your comments below.

Posted on AllTopChef.com