'Top Chef: Just Desserts' Recap: 'Pure Imagination'

[‘Top Chef: Just Desserts - Season 2, Episode 4]

The contestants woke up to special VIP Tickets. A note attached announced that they would be going to a movie screening. The contestants arrived and ordered some popcorn, candy, and soda. Matthew hoped that it wasn't a food challenge so he decided to hold on to all his food possible.

The contestants arrived to an audience filled with a handful of patrons. As the screen began they clapped as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory played for them. Orlando was in awe as the woman next to him was so happy that Orlando knew the words to the movie. After the film, Gail arrived and announced that the contestants would create a Willy Wonka themed challenge. Four special guests arrived, emerging from the audience. They were the four original cast members of the original Willy Wonka film. For the 40th anniversary DVD release, the contestants would have to create the world of Wonka going straight into the elimination challenge. The contestants would be one team, transforming the top chef judging area into a Wonka-themed world.

The contestants had one hour to plan as they went around on a table, adjusted for cameras. Chris decided to split into a creative team and a cooking team. Katzie burst with suggestions, but didn't get amazing responses. At home, each contestant continued to think about what they are looking for and creating cohesive ideas. Rebecca had an idea for a cupcake, but Chris shot her down.

The contestants woke up the next day and had 13 hours to cook. The room's layout was transformed and the contestants started to arrange everything. The two teams were split into creative and cooking and the cooking team started mixing and baking. Craig decided to make his version of a gummy bear. Chris wanted to work on the chocolate waterfall out of Styrofoam. Sally decided to make an orange crumble in a wheelbarrow. Katzie didn't care about Chris's complaints and continued to grate her carrots.

With an unlimited amount of chocolate, Orlando wanted to make sure that he tempered his chocolate amazingly. The contestants wondered why the creative team was working on Chris's fountain when they should focus on their own food. Carlos wanted to make a fruit leather wallpaper to follow with the scene in the movie. Craig's bears didn't set correctly and Sally made some teacher-ly suggestions to help him out.

Johnny arrived for his evaluations and was surprised about how much chocolate was being used. Rebecca had a golden egg theme and was reminded to go crazy. Melissa made whoopie pie sunflowers and was full of smiles. Megan decided to make a bourbon candy, but Johnny was worried that the flavor profile was too adult. Johnny then announced that there would be a double elimination. With only two hours to go, Chris wanted to make sure that the whole creative theme was perfect.

The following day, there were only two hours to cook and Katzie wanted to make an interactive carrot patch and a beehive in the allotted time. Craig had one good gummy bear and four others that Sally helped with. The contestants were going crazy as they stabbed their food onto tables and posts. Melissa didn't realize that she needed drills for her donut stands. The waterfall was still a problem because of its thickness. As time was running out, each contestant hustled, topped by Megan doing everything for everyone.

The judges and cast arrived and their faces were in awe. While the contestants were happy about the execution, the nerves settled in. The guest judge was famous cake designer Ron Ben-Israel. A whole ton of children arrived leaving Megan nervous about her alcoholic candy.

Chris's fountain was a bit extreme to get into the cup, but got positive reviews. Rebecca's candy did fizz as the name employed. Craig's bear fell apart and the flavoring wasn't great. Rebecca's moon pies were a bit tough, but her golden egg cakes were great. Matthew's flavors were great and the presentation was strong.

Sally's dirt was messy. Melissa had some boring donuts and the execution was bad. Whenever any person wants to spit out your food, you fail. Her whoopie pies were great though and she should have focused just on them. Katzie's carrot patch was a great concept and good execution. Carlos's macaroon had a good American profile (peanut butter & jelly) and his fruit wallpaper was great. Megan's bourbon pops were great because of the layers, but her pops didn't have enough flavors.

Gail arrived and announced everyone except for Chris, Orlando, Rebecca, and Amanda. The seven contestants were the high and low creations. The top three were Matthew, Katzie, and Carlos. Matthew had a great flavor profile. Katzie had great interaction. Carlos's macaroons and wallpaper were great.

The bottom four were Craig, Melissa, Sally, and Megan. Craig's bear was badly executed. Melissa's doughnuts were horrible. Sally had no tools for eating and the judges expected more judging. Megan's bourbon pops didn't taste like bourbon, the lavender pops didn't have lavender. Carlos chimed in and explained that Megan helped everyone.

After judging, the winner of the competition this week was Katzie. The two eliminated were Craig and Melissa. She was disappointed that she even allowed the donut monster to rear its ugly head.

Next Week: A challenge in a water park brings a high amount of stress to the contestants.