There’s one more episode before we find out who will be Season 7′s Top Chef.  There was no “drama” during Season Finale Part 1, but the judges said this episode produced the best food of the season.

In last night’s episode, the cheftestants arrived in Singapore and immediately toured a variety of famous food cart vendors whose specialty is Singapore Street Food.  They observed, they tasted and asked questions.  Of course, at the end of the tour there was a Quickfire Challenge for them to create their own version of Singapore inspired street food.  In addition, they must cook with a wok.

Tired and suffering from jet lag, this motley crew of chefs went to work.  As an aside, I know these guys had a long flight and wanted to be comfortable, but surely they knew there was a camera crew following them around.

For the Elimination Challenge the chefs worked as a team to create a cohesive meal for a Food & Wine Party of 80 people.  Much to my surprise, they played nice – there was no major drama in the kitchen.  Each chef chose one dish they would make but after they shopped, Tom told them they needed to make two dishes each.

Ed is the Man

Through most of the season Ed was a dark horse who pretty much stayed in the middle of the pack.  Until a few weeks ago, I would not have bet that he would be in the finale.  Ed won the Quickfire and also won immunity that guaranteed him a place in the finale.  When Tom told the chefs they needed to make two dishes, Ed admitted that he was already prepared for two dishes.  That revelation earned him some eye rolling and “I can’t believe’s” from the other cheftestants.

In the end, Ed also won the Elimination Challenge.  Both of his dishes were excellent but his fried banana fritter with chili paste stole the show.

Angelo Struggled

All season long, Angelo told us that Asian food is his forte.  He was ecstatic that the finale was in Singapore because he knew that with Asian flavors, he was going to be Top Chef.  Arrogance and ego only work in your favor when you back it up with great results.

When Angelo didn’t win the Quickfire he was shocked.  He couldn’t hide his shock, it was written all over his face.  He struggled with the Elimination Challenge and quite frankly, if there had been a bottom two it would have been him and Kelly.

Kevin is Steady

Kevin performed well in both challenges; however, each time he was edged out by Ed.  In a very awkward moment with Padma during the Quickfire Challenge, Ed admitted that he had never cooked with a wok.  Regardless of his lack of wok experience, Kevin produced good food.

Kelly is Sent Packing

Kelly tried her best, but it just wasn’t good enough.  She didn’t do anything really bad – she just didn’t do anything really great.  The judges like her food, they just didn’t like it enough to move her on to the finale.

Let’s see what happens next week.  I’m pulling for Ed or Kevin.

In last night’s episode – Gastro-nauts – the chefs were challenged to create a dish for astronauts that would convert well to a freeze-dried menu selection that could be served in space.  Each chef created a very tasty dish.  According to the judges, each dish had at least one flaw:  Kevin’s onion rings wouldn’t retain their crispness; Kelly’s dish might not freeze-dry well with the sauce; Ed’s dish had too many components; Angelo’s dish was too sweet to freeze-dry; and Tiffany’s peppers were bitter.  BUT, they were all good dishes.  Someone had to be cut – it was Tiffany.

They’re Going Where?

Singapore!  This is a top chef first – to take the contestants over seas for the finale.  I don’t know if the Singapore trip caused the cheftestants to step up their game even more, but it was a good incentive.  I just want to know if going to Singapore will include any of the eliminated chefs.  If top chef remains true to previous seasons, some of the eliminated chefs usually come back to serve as sous chefs for the finalists.  Of course there’s always a twist, who knows what the twist will be this year.

What did you think of this episode?  Are your favorites in the finale?

Restaurant Wars.  Undoubtedly, one of the most anticipated episodes in any season of Top Chef.  This year’s episode was especially intriguing for me because my favorite chefs were evenly divided on opposing teams.  Team 1: Jennifer, Kevin, Michael I. and Laurine.  Team 2:  Bryan V., Michael V, Robin and Eli.  Quite frankly, the teams were evenly matched.

Several weeks ago I was locked on my favorite chefs:  Jennifer, Kevin, Bryan V. and Michael V.  I think they are the most talented chefs and believe one of them will win Season 6.  My two personal favorites are Jennifer and Kevin.  For several episodes, many of the chefs underestimated Jennifer who is extremely talented and has mad skills.

Going into this episode, I just assumed that Robin, Michael I. or Laurine would be eliminated.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected Jennifer or Kevin to be on the chopping block.  Then again, who would have guessed that both of them would make such bad decisions and screw up both of their dishes.  I was stunned.

Front of the House

Eli did a great job as front of the house.  He was engaging and efficient.  Eli readily described dishes that were served to each customer.  Service seemed to run very smoothly.  Eli was in control.

On the other hand, Laurine lost focus and became flustered.  Her front of the house efforts left much to be desired.  Customers and judges had to ask Laurine to describe their dishes and service was slow.

The Food

There was no contest in the execution of food.  Hands down, Team 2 served superior dishes, including two outstanding desserts.  Team 1 had numerous problems:  food was over cooked, under cooked, falling apart and no dessert.  Team 1 didn’t have a chance, but it was their own fault.  They were overly ambitious and never appointed a leader in the kitchen.

Pack Your Knives and Go

Jennifer, Kevin and Laurine were the prime candidates for elimination on Team 1; however, it fell on Laurine.  Ultimately I believe she shot herself in the foot because of her early statement to the judges:  no food would come out of their kitchen that wasn’t right.  A lot of poorly executed food came out of that kitchen.

Food for Thought

I think there was an additional reason Laurine was eliminated.  Even though Top Chef says that only dishes from the current episode are considered for elimination, I don’t think the show wanted to eliminate one of their strongest chefs this early in the game.  Michael was pretty safe so other than Laurine, that would leave Jennifer or Kevin, both of whom prepared very poorly executed dishes.  And, both of whom are two of the most talented chefs this season.

Sorry Laurine.