By Kim
This season, in order to determine the final group that will move on to compete in Seattle, small groups of chef meet and work with each of the judges in their restaurants doing various challenges. It's an interesting way to start the season; the pacing of the episode is good but I don't feel like I know any of the contestants yet save maybe one or two.
Tom has his group do various tasks in his kitchen. The first guy Tom sends through, John, has been a chef for years but lost some time due to substance abuse issues. And he's also apparently kind of a prick, but he cooks well enough to go to Seattle. Tom ultimately sends home the guy with the waxed moustache and the big, sweaty guy. He sends through the South African lady and a dude named Micah.
Emeril has each chef cook a bowl of soup. One dude makes a chilled gazpacho and actually manages to get it cold in time to serve, so he immediately gets sent to Seattle. Female best friends compete together; only the former model goes through. And the schlubby soon-to-be-dad guy finishes ten minutes early but still makes it.
New judge Wolfgang Puck asks his contestants to make him an omelet. Man, do these people find ways to fuck up an omelet. It seems like everyone screws up something. Wolfgang sends everyone through except the guy who cooked his omelet in bacon grease resulting in poor presentation.
Hugh Acheson asks his group to create a salad. Brooke, a mom, fries up some kale and earns the first chef's coat. The annoying lady with the too-long bangs gets sent packing THANK GOD and the rest of the group goes through.
Look for more details (and actual names of chefs along with what each cooked) in the full recap. The talent level seems high, and there are definitely some memorable characters.