Episode Report Card Angel Cohn: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Whistler While You Work
By Angel Cohn | Season 6 | Episode 13 | Aired on 10.13.2009
We're at the midway point and get to see a little recap of the season and a preview of the finals. I guess that's for people who are just tuning in. I, however, am not, so let's get on with this damned show, OK? The boys are both very excited to make it to the last competition. They have 30 minutes to prep before the limo comes to get them. They don't know where they're going -- my guess would be Whistler. Nope, they're going to the rooftop of a hotel in downtown LA. Chef Ramsey's all pumped up on the roof and is wearing a t-shirt. He takes them over to the ledge, and I briefly wonder if he's going to push the loser over the side. Sadly no, but that would make this show much more interesting. "Your risotto was terrible, and you can't cook scallops! Remove your jacket and take a flying leap!" That would be more incentive for these people not to suck so much. Instead, we look over and there is a sea of extras at a Hollywood-esque looking premiere. They have to go down (presumably to the hotel kitchen) and make a dish worthy of their head chef position. They get 45 minutes. Kevin makes a petite clambake with poached lobster and corn pudding. Dave is cooking a rack of venison with a sour cream and chive parsnip puree. At least no one is making risotto. The onlookers see the action via massive screens. Seriously, the giant screen budget for this show must be out of control.
The people are clapping and screaming for Kevin. Two woman shout out that they love Dave. Now I'm not 100 percent sure, but usually these types of shows are done filming before the episodes ever start airing, so since they don't appear to be either of the family members we met earlier, they'd have no idea who Dave is. I hope they got paid for this. Or at least enjoy their three seconds of fame. Anyway, Gordon says there's a panel of experts judging the two dishes. Alain Gayot, food critic, takes a taste of both of them. He picks Dave's dish. I hope there's new silverware for each of these people, but it doesn't really look like there's much room on this teeny table. Jamie Maw steps up out of the audience, he also picks Dave. Kevin starts interviewing in the third person about how Kevin is in the hole right now. Tanya Steel from Epicurious comes up, she's impressed by both but she picks Kevin. Of course, because Gordon would never let this be decided without letting all of the guest judges get a taste and screen time. That's not exciting TV. Warren Geraghty, chef from Canada, unsurprisingly picks Kevin to even things out. Colman Andrews contributing editor of the now defunct Gourmet magazine, is the deciding vote and selects Dave's venison. Dave's "super-stoked."