Here it is folks!  The very first episode where the Top Chef Masters have to behave like real cheftestants.  It’s not that the preliminary competitions weren’t tough.  They were.  But for some reason, the format where one one advances didn’t seem to have the same level of punch and drama as the episodes we’ve grown to know and love, where one is eliminated.  Is there a psychological reason for this?  Probably, but I have no idea what it is.

Our six finalists, just so you have the recap, are as follows:

Hubert Keller:  This chef from the famed Fleur de Lys, won his challenge by coming up with a ridiculously innovative way to cook pasta using a dormitory shower.

Suzanne Tracht – from Los Angeles, Suzanne beat out the beloved Wylie Dufresne to secure her spot in the final six.

Rick  Bayless – famed for his use of natural ingredients and his love of Mexican cuisine, Rick won the infamous “offal” challenge.

Anita Lo – A chef’s chef, Anita Lo’s all business demeanor and creative talent for illusion won over Neil Patrick Harris and the judges, beating out John Besh.

Michael Chiarello – charming and resourceful, this Napa chef is as famous for his lifestyle catalog as his cooking, and won even though some people accuse him of “cheating” because he successfully convinced party guests to help him plate his food.

Art Smith – known for the company he keeps (most notably Oprah Winfrey) Art’s down home style wowed the judges, as did his fried chicken.

We’ll see how these competitors stack up as they go into the competition, but here’s my take in advance on what we might see….

Look for Chiarello to struggle a little with the actual execution. Chiarello is really talented as a chef, but hasn’t really worked the line in a restaurant in years.  One thing we’ve learned over the past six weeks is that once you reach this echelon of chef-ness, you often forget what it’s like to slam out a service with limited time to complete  your tasks.

Hubert Keller will dazzle the judges with his innovation and interesting ideas.  He’s a critic darling.  In direct contrast, Anita Lo with stick her nose to the grindstone

Not sure yet who my money is on to win.  So without further ado…let’s get to the competition!

10:22 -- yes, I am starting late. I fell asleep, missing the quickfire challenge.  I'm sorry.  Blame my dinner:  pasta with egg sauce.

My impressions of what I missed the first time around:

Kelley Choi is still wearing too much eye makeup, and she seems to be getting harsher as she gets more confident.  She's not likable.

They brought back the mise en place relay race .... This was the famous challenge that Top Chef winner Hung essentially annihilated chickens in a wondrous display of knife skills. 

I love the fact that they brought back Tom Collicchio. I have to find a way to eat in one of his restaurants soon.  Keller does great with oysters, not so much with onions.  I love the fact that Anita Lo just schools these boys at every turn.  She catches up from Keller's being behind on the onions.

The fact that the final came to egg whites is poetic.  I HATE whisking egg whites by hand.  I don't like the way they did it so that they all got basically either 4 or 5 stars.

10:25 -- the elimination challenge is that the chefs are making each other's signature dishes.  Rick Bayless is recreating Michael Chiarello's signature dish.  Michael is recreating Rick's dish, and Suzanne Tracht is making Art Smith's signature dish.

10:27 -- Hubert Keller is recreating Anita Lo's dish, and she is doing his dish.  Hubert is being literal, and Anita is going to "asia-fy" Keller's dish.

10:28 -- Art Smith is doing a scotch egg with Tracht's dish.  Meanwhile, Rick Bayless is looking at what Michael is doing with his dish and is a little preturbed.

10:30 -- Tracht is already plated, and her shit looks GOOD.  Meanwhile the dining table is set.  The diners are the losers from the previous shows.

10:31 -- And the critics are back too.

10:32 -- LUdo looks like he wants to kill Rick Bayless.  But he likes Rick's food.

10:33 -- Tracht's early finish may have hurt her.  The dish may be overcooked from haivng sat.

10:34 -- Hubert Keller's dish goes over well.  Chiarello made a lamb dish but used his ingredients. 

10:36 -- Anita Lo really tore it up with Hubert's dish.  She got very inventive and cool with it.

10:37 -- we won't be doing the Chef I Want to Date tonight....we've already been through it all with these contestants.  Instead, let's talk about who looks like they'll win...

 It's hard to say, really who might win.  I think that Anita Lo and Hubert Keller are probably the ones to beat here.  Art Smith I think is probably on the chopping block here.

10:43 -- The critic's table begins.  Kelley Choi is too hard edged.  Hubert Keller is trying to blame the origin of the sea urchin.  Anita Lo is confident, even in her quietness.  I LOVE her!

10:45 -- The critics are GUSHING over Anita Lo.  James Oseland actually asks her what her secret is.  Art is making jokes, but it is clear his egg dish did not go over well.

10:45 -- Suzanne Tracht is taken to task for overcooking the fish.

10:46 -- Rick Bayless is congratulated for NOT making his dish Mexican.  Chiarello is trying to explain why he didn't do what he was supposed to with Rick's dish.

10:48 -- They are all GUSHING over Anita Lo. And Art get's the word "grotesque" ... this is not good.

10:49 -- Suzanne Tracht may be in trouble too.  She just wasn't on today, and it could hurt her.

10:50 -- everyone loved Rick Bayless and his dish.  But then again, I love Rick Bayless.  They are loving that he did it Michael's way, not his.

10:51 -- Rick won the quickfire, and is getting 5's and 4's from the critics.  He is going to be hard to beat.  Anita Lo is getting all the right numbers too.  She pulls it out and beat's Bayless for the win.

10:53 -- I think of the remaining chefs, Hubert Keller is safe.  I think Suzanne Tracht is going to get a pass into the next round because her only error in judgement was one of timing, not food.

10:54 -- Between Chiarello and Art Smith, my money's on Art Smith to be sent home.  Chiarello didn't take enough risks.  But when the judge uses a word like "grotesque" to describe your food, you're pretty much done.

10:57 -- Hubert gets a bunch of fours, and he is safe. 

10:58 -- twos and fours for Art.  Not good.  But interestingly enough, Suzanne loses.  Art is safe by a half star.  Suzanne Tracht goes home.

 Unfortunately, folks, I won't be here next week....I'll be camping.  Anyone want to volunteer to be an extra special fill in on my behalf?