'Top Chef: Just Desserts' Recap: 'Villa Rosa'
The contestants walked in to their Quickfire Challenge and Gail introduced guest judge Top Chef: Masters contestant Hugh Acheson. The challenge was to create a dessert that would inspire a flavor for Extra Gum. The big twist was that flavors would have to fit on a very small plate. Hugh emphasized bold flavors. The winner would get their flavor for Extra Dessert Delights, $25,000, and immunity.
The contestants had one hour to cook. Amanda decided to make a pina colada, which I’m sure I've seen as a flavor from Orbit. Craig wanted to make an awesome pancake with strawberries. Matthew and Chris continued their bro-mance which led the two to help each other make sure that their flavors were the same. Melissa wanted to make a white coffee cream. She continued to complain to the annoyance of the other contestants. Nelson wanted to focus and make sure he plated on time. With time up, most of the contestants finished without any issues about plating.
For judging, Rebecca did a raspberry pound cake and Hugh made an odd face, which is hard to read. Craig's pancake had positive feedback. Sally's Pina Colada (another person that thought pina colada wasn't attempted before?) was a bit tart. Matthew's oatmeal raisin parfait was considered "sweet" which upset him even more. Things can be too sweet. Amanda's pina colada also had mixed reviews. Carlos made a pretty passion fruit gelee but Hugh questioned the tapioca translating into gum. Nelson's black forest dessert was consumed like a shot and had the consistency of eyeballs. The least favorite were Rebecca, Melissa, and Matthew. The top contestants were Craig, Nelson, Carlos. Craig won the challenge. He claimed that he'd be shopping.
Gail announced that the next challenge would be in two teams of six. As the winner, Craig got to pick who were the captains. Without much thinking, Craig chose himself and Amanda as captains on a random whim.
Team Craig (Blue) - Sally, Matthew, Orlando, Nelson, Rebecca
Team Amanda (Red) - Chris, Carlos, Megan, Katzie, Melissa
Melissa was picked last yet again and she had to grumble about the situation as much as she could. For the challenge, Gail explained that they would have to cater for Real Housewife Lisa Vanderpump. They would create a dessert table presentation. Lisa's husband, Ken Todd, and her puppy, Giggy, explained the challenge. There were specific aspects about Lisa that Ken wanted to emphasize like the color pink, emphasized Giggy, fresh flowers, and good taste. The teams would then have presentations the following day. Each team would present no more than six desserts, though with six contestants, one would wonder how not to make one dish each.
The teams consulted, Sally seemed to take over for Craig as she made suggestions. On Amanda's team, every voice tried to chime in as everyone talked on top of each other. Melissa wanted to kill herself right in front of her team. I'm sure if she did, the team would continue to bicker without noticing her death. Time was up but Amanda's team had to continue to figure out plans when the six hours of cooking began. Craig's team immediately worked together as Craig's cocktail was something a 5-year-old could have done. He helped Sally, who then helped Orlando make sugar work.
Amanda's team was a bit chaotic, while Chris decided to make a beautiful tablescape. His concept was some sort of rose chandelier which sounds like it would catch on fire. Katzie decided to make some dog treats in hopes of influencing Giggy's vote. Craig ran around quickly trying to make sure that every one of his members was taken care of, which upset Nelson. Melissa had to remake several of her desserts the following day because of how stressed out she was.
The contestants woke up the next day and Amanda was sick, she was worried that she couldn't taste well. Nelson was still unsure of Craig's leadership, which he claimed being proactive would have been helpful. I guess Nelson didn't see Craig help Sally and Rebecca. The contestants had two hours of prep work. Rebecca confused Matthew for Chris, even though Chris was nowhere close during the challenge. Melissa talked to Amanda and she made sure that Amanda knew exactly what was happening. Amanda made Chris present because she wanted to make sure that her team won. Nelson readjusted his lollipop because his dog looked kind of like a beige pig. Craig explained that he wanted whimsical with contemporary. Rebecca thought that less was more, while Orlando tried to fill empty spaces with roses. On team Amanda, the desserts were just placed to fill in gaps.
The judges and Real Housewives arrived and Melissa was under pressure. Her topping wasn't the best but she was confident about the taste. Kyle Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, Taylor Armstrong, and Lisa's daughter, Pandora, joined Gail, Hubert, Hugh and Johnny on the judging table. Chris explained about impeccable taste with simple shapes. Amanda's dish had a bit of alcohol, which never stopped a housewife. Katzie's macaroon had positive feedback including the ladies loving the pipette. Melissa had positive feedback even with the melted top. The team also presented the biscuit bonus for Giggy.
With time running out, Craig's team struggled a bit because Sally's sorbet was a bit mushy, but she left it in. Sally's sorbet melted and Hugh pointed it out. Nelson's cotton candy had a flashback for Taylor weirdly eating cotton candy. Craig's drink was a bit sour, but also needed a straw. Rebecca's chocolate beet cake had some minor hesitation but was accepted. Her rhubarb rose crisps won Lisa over.
Lisa had to make the decision between the two teams, but got some feedback from each of the judges. The contestants came out and Lisa announced that the winning team was Team Chris, even though Amanda was the leader. The whole team was safe. Craig's team had to go to judges table. Craig explained that he considered being too whimsical. Hubert thought there wasn't enough personality and maturity. Nelson's lollipop could have been better in one bite and was too sweet. Sally's sorbet was almost immediately melted. Rebecca pointed out that she didn't want rose petals, and left Orlando called out for making the table look silly. Craig admitted that his drink was boring. Rebecca shot in that Craig helped with other tasks. With Craig immune, the eliminations landed on the other five contestants.
The judges realized that minor adjustments needed to fix the team. Things like the sweetness of the lollipop, or the styling of the showpiece. In the back, Craig felt guilty for eliminating one of his teammates. After the commercial break, Rebecca and Matthew had some of the best dishes so they were safe. Craig was immune, but was warned that he would be eliminated. Nelson was cut and he was disappointed that he left from making a lollipop. After the challenge, Orlando finally snapped and became this season's villain.
Next Week: A Willy Wonka challenge and a double elimination.