Okay, so I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but you're all going to have to deal with it. Mmmkay?
This week's episode begins, as they always do, right where we ended last week. Ramsay has a surprise for the chefs and it is.....their families!! I knew it.
We have Paula's mom and sister, Andrea's mom and cousin, and Danny's dad and girlfriend. Danny tells us he was overwhelmed at the sight of his dad and girlfriend. Andrea's crying as she hugs her mom, telling her how much she loves her and misses her. She tells us that she comes from a long line of extremely strong women.
She's still blubbering away, telling her mom she never realized how important they were until they weren't there. How charming. Nothing like learning to appreciate your family when you don't have them to boss around hug and kiss.
Paula tells her family that this is the hardest thing she's ever been through in her life. Obviously she doesn't have any kids. Ramsay is tough, but I'd take him over childbirth any day of the week.
Danny's dad tells him he's tremendously proud of him. Awww. He tells Danny that he's got what it takes to get to the top. Danny says it feels good to show his old man what he's got in him.
And then, Ramsay thanks the families for coming. Wait, what? Aren't you going to have them stick around for a while, Chef? Apparently not. They just showed up for a quick hug, kiss and some words of encouragement, and now they are on their way.
Danny thinks this is the best gift Chef could have given them. Ramsay seconds the motion by saying, "What a lovely surprise." Nice to toot your own horn there, Chef.
The final three head up to the dorms, pumped up and happy from the time they got with their families. An entire ten minutes of time according to Andrea. WOW. Ten whole minutes? What an incredible gift that was.
The next morning they all gather in the dining room, ready for whatever challenge Ramsay has in store for them. Today's challenge will be serving lunch to one hundred "very special, distinguished" customers. They each need to prepare a dish to really impress these patrons. They have ninety minutes, off you go!
Paula is confident about her food for this challenge. She tells us Danny and Andrea should be worried. You go, girl!
Danny tells us he immediately thought, "You know seafood, you know fruit. Put it together. That's pretty much my signature flavor." He's not worried about his cuisine.
Paula thinks that Danny is her biggest competition. No duh, Paula. She goes on to say that Danny can keep cool and under control in stressful situations. That is one thing that the two of them do have in common. You don't really ever see them running around like maniacs. Unlike Andrea, who Paula tells us can tend to get flustered in the heat of the competition. Danny continues with that thought, saying "I think that Andrea's going to crumble under the pressure."
At ten minutes remaining, Ramsay tells Andrea he'd hurry up if he was her. He's getting nervous for her because she's running behind. At this point, Andrea starts talking to herself. She tells us that's her style. "No one else is routing me on, I had to do that for myself."
She tells herself to keep pushing out, and then mumbles something about jalapeno butter. I just can't route for her, no matter what, so I'm hoping she fails horribly. That's my style.
And....time. So who are these distinguished customers? They are chefs from across Los Angeles, from some of the best listed restaurants in Zagat, Michelin star rated, "the crème de la crème of fine dining in California."
Paula voices her concern: "Holy Shit. These are real chefs. They know great food." She's starting to panic a little.
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Comments (13)
I kinda wondered why Paula did not pick Andrea to go to the final with her, seeing as how it would be better to get rid of your biggest competition (Danny). But then again, it really only matters who Chef wants in the final.
I was amazed at how pretty Danny's girlfriend was.
And when Chef kept introducing all the executive chefs and their accomplishments, all I could think was......isn't the food theyv'e prepared to impress these people just sitting around getting cold and soggy?
1 of 13 | Posted by LisaMay | Posted on May 4, 2009 7:22 AM
AND THERE COMMENCED GREAT REJOYCING ACROSS THE LAND!
Potty Mouth, I was whooping and dancing right along with you at the final outcome.
Maybe it was editing, but Danny was making me nervous this week. Andrea was just a total bitch on the pass, and I was hoping Scott would dump a pot of something over her head. Could you imagine working for a shrew like her? Good grief, Mother Theresa would not last 2 minutes.
As for Paula's choice - I think that even though she is friendly with Andrea she knew she had to choose her based on performance. I don't think GR would have accepted her choosing Danny as being worse overall than Andrea,it would show poor management skills on her part.
I will be happy whatever the outcome, both Paula and Danny are strong chefs who handle pressure well. I think Danny is more of a leader, but maybe we just haven't seen that side of Paula.
Thanks for the awesome job Potty Mouth!!!
2 of 13 | Posted by njgasmifan | Posted on May 4, 2009 7:41 AM
I am so relieved Andrea's gone.
To me when Paula wears her bandana so it covers her hair, she looks like Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid...
3 of 13 | Posted by cattyfan | Posted on May 4, 2009 8:10 AM
Oh...and if I had to choose a team from the sixl losers provided, I would go with Gio, Carol, and LA.
The other three are sabateurs.
4 of 13 | Posted by cattyfan | Posted on May 4, 2009 8:25 AM
YAY, I love it when bitchybitchybitches go home! I lost my shit at "HAHAHAHAHA I hope they pull your pubes out one by one HAHAHAHAHA" I still feel like most of the people on this show seem to inflate their culinary skills by a factor of 10 or so, because all the awesome experience they constantly lay claim to seems to have a hard time surfacing when the push comes to shove. Still, how else would have had PrettyGirl or Andrea to hate on... and some people just NEED the reality check of Reality TV.
loved the recap, love to you, too!
love, J-Mo :)
5 of 13 | Posted by J-Mo | Posted on May 4, 2009 9:30 AM
PottyMouth, I love your recaps for this show!
Thank goodness that woman is gone. Good riddance to bad rubbish. I was no Ben fan, but, as annoying as he was, Andrea was worse. (Ben's annoyance would at least fade into white noise as he blathered on in monotone about himself; Andrea, more like shitenoise, high-pitched to ear-splitting decibels. *shudders*)
JP and Paula in the limo was sweet. Nice to know he's single. Must plan a trip to LA soon.
Scott looked strangely hot calling Andrea a cunt. Strange, that is normally a turn off for me, but I was cheering him on. Go Scott go. (I figured Andrea doesn't need a cheerleader as she has herself, right?)
I *loved* the little screencaps of the offed contestants. Fab! Can't wait to read your finale report. Cheers!
6 of 13 | Posted by jennaboa | Posted on May 4, 2009 9:38 AM
Good riddance to bad rubbish, indeed. sorry I can't think of something original, but that pretty well sums it up.
Danny did deserve to lose the "impress the chefs" challenge. Fish & fruit is soooooo last century(eighties)!
Great recap esp the screencaps, PM.
Now, on to the FINALE!!!
7 of 13 | Posted by Donna Martin Graduates! | Posted on May 4, 2009 11:22 AM
YAAAAAY Andrea Gone! Finally!
Interesting all the chefs they picked, including Ben Ford of Ford's Filling Station (Harrison Ford's son and chef in his own right...). I think I've eaten at one of the named establishments, which means I need to get out more I guess...
Terrific recap as always!
8 of 13 | Posted by killbondnow | Posted on May 4, 2009 3:05 PM
I agree...it's def a win/win now that Andrea's gone! Plus they're both from FL...so they're my homies! Good luck to both Danny and Paula...either of them could take the win and they both deserve it!
9 of 13 | Posted by fierytopaz | Posted on May 4, 2009 6:07 PM
Andrea's gone. It's about god damned time.
Glad to see one of my three picks make it to the finals. Way to go, Paula! Too bad about Giovanni and Robert.
I'm pulling for Paula to take the win, but I won't be too disappointed if Danny gets it. Like you said... it's a win/win.
10 of 13 | Posted by Streaker | Posted on May 4, 2009 6:34 PM
LOL cattyfan about the Ralph Macchio comment, but actually, you're totally right!
I was so happy about this elimination, I started clapping my hands like a dolt.
I want Danny to take it because I just really like him - and he's kind of adorable.
But I'm not going to be upset if Paula wins it either.
This is the best final two for as long as I can remember on this show.
11 of 13 | Posted by georgiababe | Posted on May 4, 2009 11:42 PM
Darling Pottymouth, I'm right there with you "The witch is dead...the witch dead..Woohoo...!!!!" I'm so relieved. Honestly, I'll be happy with either Paula or Danny winning. I suspect that Paula will pull it out in the end, but we'll see.
Love your recaps. Woohoo the witch is dead!!!
Hugs,
Yenta
12 of 13 | Posted by yentapatrol | Posted on May 5, 2009 12:25 PM
LisaMay: I agree on the cold and soggy food. Nothing like killing a dish by having it sit!
njgasmifan: I knew you’d be rejoicing along with me! I was worried for Danny, too, and I was about to lose it in a big way if Andrea made it to the finals.
cattyfan: Great call on the Ralph Macchio thing! Too true! I don’t know about Carol – she seems like she’s going to be a Bitter Betty.
J-Mo: I wonder if they inflate their skills, or if Ramsay looks for a certain amount of fuckups. He may think there’d be less drama without them, but if you look at a show like Top Chef, you can see that that’s not true. But like you said, some people seem to need to have their asses kicked on TV.
jennaboa: Thanks so much! About Scott – I KNOW!! I think the combination of his normal hotness, combined with a mutual hatred of the bitch made for Super Hotness!!
Donna Martin Graduates!: Original, unoriginal, who cares?!?!?!? The BITCH is GONE!!! Yay!
killbondnow: I didn’t realize Ben Ford was Harrison Ford’s son. I haven’t been to any of the restaurants, but I have an excuse since I’m on the East coast. Go out more and report back on the food! That’s an order!!
fierytopaz: I completely agree. It’s nice when you reach a finale that has two people who you’d like to win. Either way I’ll be happy! (hopefully)
Streaker: I think the one “choke” that surprised me the most was Gio. I really thought he could have made it to the finals. Oh, well.
georgiababe: There is something sort of adorable about him. It’s weird, because he’s such a redneck, and looks so dirty sometimes, but at other times he’s kind of cute.
Yenta: Woohoo is right!! I think it will be really interesting to see what they both do. Who they each pick to be in their kitchens could have a HUGE influence on who ultimately wins. Either way, I’m really looking forward to it.
Well Gasmi, we’re reaching the home stretch, and I am so excited to see how this all plays out. I think I’m going to stop and get a huge order of sushi to eat while watching.
See you soon!
SWAK, PottyMouth
13 of 13 | Posted by PottyMouth | Posted on May 7, 2009 6:16 AM