'Top Chef' Recap: 'Island Fever'

[Top Chef Season 8 Episode 15]

After Carla's elimination, the rest of the contestants sing her praises about how she was a cool person. Tiffany was disappointed her friend was gone because they supported each other throughout the season. Antonia warned Richard & Mike that the contestants needed to up their game; she was worried about reliving her previous season's outcome. Mike, on the other hand, thought that he's on an upward swing since making it to the Bahamas.

The next morning, the contestants got prepared and met Padma and Lorena Garcia from America's Next Great Restaurant for the quickfire challenge. Padma mentioned cooking with consistency and efficiency. The chefs had to pair up and created 100 identical dishes in an hour. Richard and Mike immediately paired up in fear of Antonia, the Black Hammer.

Lorena and Padma warned that they would choose a random number dish to test the consistency. The boys decided to do a pork Bolognese with fresh pasta. The girls, on the other side, decided to do a beef tenderloin salad. They decided that there would only be one batch for consistent flavor. Tiffany decided to plate immediately to make sure all the food looked right. Richard thought their dishes weren't as easy as those of the girls’ team, and instead were running around like crazy. Time ran out and Padma chose plates 2/20 and Lorena grabbed 60/89.

Richard & Mike went first and the two judges thought it was consistent on the image and the servings were good. The girls' dishes also had consistent dishes and temperature. The slice of meat was perfectly proportioned. Lorena appreciated the consistency, she liked the ragu from the men's team, but the women had good components. Lorena announced that the winner was the red team (Antonia and Tiffany). They won $5,000, though it was never explained if it was each or they had to split the money.

For the elimination challenge, Padma announced that the chefs would have to cook for the Nassau Club's 80th Anniversary which was themed "Deserted Island." Not only did they have to cook on a deserted island, Lorena warned that the contestants would have to use conch. Mike had some practice with conch, but still wasn't comfortable.

At the hotel, Mike and Richard worried about what resources they would have. Tiffany reiterated her small town status and how much a win would mean to her. The contestants were greeted by a bikini clad Padma and Captain Andy. Padma announced that cooking started when their feet hit the beach. Richard mentioned having a bit of conch practice. The contestants saw a "campfire" style amount of cooking and Mike realized that there wouldn't be much to work with. The contestants ran for their available meats and other products; one item that none of the contestants checked was a box labeled "Goat." The contestants open the conch box and found snorkeling gear. The contestants started to dive for conch and Antonia was out of breath even with previous experience swimming. Tiffany struggled trying to get ten conchs. Richard struggled with grabbing the conch because it was just a small distance away from him. Eventually all the contestants made it back to the shore. Antonia never worked with conch and just hoped that all the flavors worked.

Antonia worried about getting sand in her food and it's everywhere; she struggled opening the shells. Richard never opened conch by himself because they weren't available in the states whole. Mike tried a boiling water technique that worked really well. Tiffany hasn't worked with conch and was just hoping everything came together.

Tiffany started to squeal when she finally got some meat. After prepping the entire conch, Richard wiped down his whole table so that there was no sand in his food. Mike worried about maintaining an even heat. Antonia wanted to do a conch tartar with lobster. Tiffany wanted to go with a conch and coconut chowder. With an hour to go, Richard started to feel winded. Mike wanted to do a grouper with conch vinaigrette and a savory pineapple. Richard didn't want to do an island inspiration and instead was inspired by the Hamptons; he tried a sweet potato noodle. Richard was motivated by his loss (though everyone has lost).

Antonia worried about not having food. With ten minutes to go, guests started to arrive and Antonia was worried because her fire still wasn't at a balanced temperature.

The judges and guests arrived and toasted to a good meal. Tiffany was worried about the mild flavors; she loved having a two temperature dish. With time running out, Richard now was upset with his food as he always is. He looked around and saw tropical food and worried that he missed the boat on this challenge. Richard presented his sweet potato linguine with conch. Lorena complained about the temperature, but the commodore liked the mushroom and pasta. They were blown away by the sweet potato.

The clouds started to come in and the remaining chefs worried about the storm coming in. Antonia finally got a window of opportunity and pushed as hard as she could. She served her snapper with conch tartar and Gail got the flavor punch immediately. Tom thought the conch was too small and his fish was overcooked. Tiffany was further intimidated since the others surrounded her. She finished plating and still had two minutes left on her timer and she worried about finishing too early. She explained her chowder, but the guests complained the temperature was weird. The guests liked the taste, but Tom complained about development of the flavor.

Mike was hoping that his dish was refined enough, even though it was a "peasant dish." He explained his grouper with pineapple and conch vinaigrette. Tom complained that there was too much butter. Gail loved the pineapple. The contestants felt relief after cooking, but now were worried about elimination.

The contestants sat around and discussed the challenge, they started to doubt themselves, but Tiffany liked her soup. The four contestants headed to the judges table and Padma pointed out that only three would make it to the finale. Tom emphasized that he loved how none of the food had any sand. Antonia tried to explain her locality about her cooking and how her dishes scream "Antonia." Lorena liked the sweet/spicy combination. Tom thought the conch was cut too small, but the fish that was mixed in was cooked well. Richard got compliments for the pasta, but Gail pointed out the food worked out well. Lorena's lobster was undercooked. Tiffany was happy and it made sense. Lorena loved the components and Gail had the food. Tiffany explained the food was a bit cold because of the wind. Mike wanted to embrace the local culture. Gail really loved the pineapple and Tom appreciated the banana leaf, but he thought the butter was out of place.

The contestants returned to the stewing room and now they all had their doubts. The judges conferred and found compliments and small problems for each of the dishes. After the commercial, Tom explained that all the judges were impressed with the dishes. Tom announced that Mike won the challenge; Mike thought that he now had the fire to win. Padma announced that Tiffany was eliminated.