'Hell's Kitchen': Down to final two
After a long recap of last week's episode, during which Jen was sent packing, I was eager to see which two of the contestants distinguished themselves and made their way into the finale. The three remaining contestants: Corey, Petrozza and Christina, were rejoicing that Jen was eliminated. But they soon discovered that they needed to focus on their coming challenges.
Chef Gordon Ramsay thrust the three in to game mode when he challenged their pallets by having them re-create his signature venison dish from memory. He also brought their loved ones to the kitchen for a mini-reunion.
After the contestants ate with their loved ones, Ramsay sprang the challenge on them. Corey and Petrozza spent most of their time catching up with their loved ones. Christina studied the food. It paid off, and she won the challenge. As a result, Ramsay rewarded Christina with a tour of Los Angeles and then lunch with her mother and father. Corey and Petrozza were forced to clean dishes and break ice.
The dinner challenge was designed to let the contestants show off their leadership skills. Each got an opportunity to run the "hot plate," meaning one chef controls all of the sous chefs. Ramsay prepped the contestants by giving them a simulated run.
Petrozza was forceful and confident in his practice. Ramsay liked the way Petrozza yelled. Ramsay said Christina came across as a cheerleader. Corey did the worst out of the three. She came across as meek.
During the dinner service, Ramsay asked his two assistants -- Scott and Gloria -- to sabotage the three finalists.
Petrozza failed the first challenge in the "hot plate," when he failed to notice that the risotto lacked peas.
While Petrozza was in the "hot plate," Christina screwed up and burned the salmon. She continued to struggle. Her next salmon was raw. Then, she cooked overcooked scallops.
Corey was next in the "hot plate." She didn't notice that a server missed an entree. Sous chef Scott sent up the wrong sauce with the beef Wellington. Corey discovered the mistake after she had already poured the sauce on the meat (bad, bad, bad).
Christina struggled at first. She redeemed herself when she discovered that the mashed potatoes were missing mint. (She was the only contestant to pass Ramsay's quality-assurance test.)
After dinner ended, Ramsay dished out his assessments of the performances. He said he didn't feel comfortable leaving Corey alone on the "hot plate." He said she did a great job on the meat station. He said Christina was disastrous on her service station, but she excelled in the "hot plate. Ramsay added that Petrozza came across as slightly careless. "It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad," Ramsay told him.
The three finalists were charged with nominating one another for elimination. Corey nominated Christina.
"More often than not, when she gets yelled at, she is like a deer in headlights," Corey said.
Christina, who nominated Corey, questioned Corey's leadership qualities. Petrozza nominated Christina because of her failure during the kitchen service.
Ramsay announced that Petrozza was the first contestant to advance to the finale. The women were given the opportunity to make a case to advance to the finale. Christina said she is confident and perseverant. Corey said she is strong and hard-working, and she is never going to quit.
Ramsay said it was a tough call, but he chose Christina. He told Corey that she is very talented, and that she should hold her head up.
In next week's finale, both contestants will get a chance to redesign a portion of Hell's Kitchen as their own restaurant. They will also be charged with designing a menu. The pair will also be shipped off to New York City for some unknown reason, before returning back to Hell's Kitchen for their final challenge. Did I mention that six former contestants: Jen, Matt, Bobby, Corey, Ben and Louross, will return for the final challenge? It's sure to be an exciting finish to a pretty good season of Hell's Kitchen.
