'Top Chef' Season Six, Episode Nine Recap

Just when things seemed to be reaching a boiling point with the Voltaggio brothers, Eli and Robin, and Robin and basically everyone else on the show, the infamous "Restaurant Wars" challenge reared its ugly head. It was all about teamwork, something of which reality TV contestants are notoriously incapable.

The contestants were plunged in headfirst in the quick fire challenge where they had to complete one dish working in teams of four. The dish was to be completed tag-team style with each chef cooking for ten minutes and then handing the kitchen over to the next chef in line. Now for the catch—while one member of the team cooked the other members who are waiting had to remain blindfolded.

The blue team, which consisted of Jennifer, Kevin, Mike I., and Loreen, got top marks for their cohesive dish of sablefish with sautéed mushrooms, shitake broth, and radish salad. The ever-intense Mike Voltaggio looked like he was about to blow his top when his team came in second, leading us to seriously consider whether he wouldn't be better off with a hefty prescription of Xanax.

The quickfire was a high-stakes challenge which means that the blue team wins $10,000 to split amongst themselves. This time, however, they were given the option to wager their $10,000 for the possibility of earning $10,000 apiece if they win the elimination challenge. Jennifer and her teammates took the bait.

We then found out that "Restaurant Wars" has some new rules this season. Since the teams will be setting up shop in Rick Moonen's restaurant RM Seafood, they won't be in charge of decoration. Also, it will be harder to slip past the judges' discerning eyes by taking over the front of the house—the contestant who performs that task must also be in charge of one dish.

As the hours before service started dwindling, the red team—Brian and Mike Voltaggio, Eli, and Robin—started bickering. By the third course there was a considerable tension in the air between the two Voltaggio brothers, complete with underhanded and under-the-breath comments and more piercing stares from Mike. By Robin's dessert course, it seemed like there were too many cooks in the kitchen. But wait, there were only three.

The discord among the red team teammates didn't come through in the food, however, and the chefs loved almost every bite. The duo of beef and the smoked arctic char appetizer were the only dishes that got tepid responses.

Meanwhile, the blue team was struggling to get through the night. Laurine, the woman up front, was too serious and, in what was probably caused by sheer nervousness, forgot to tell the judges what they were eating in the first three courses. The blue team had no winning dishes and ended up on the chopping block.

For the first time this season the winning side of the elimination segment was the more interesting. The judges seemed impressed with Mike V.'s style of leadership and his knock-out dishes and he won $10,000. Giving only one contestant $10,000 for winning a team challenge is just a blatant set-up for drama and brother Brian bit, telling Mike that he could keep his lousy money.

The judges surprisingly sent home Laurine for her disappointing service and for not pulling her weight. Jennifer and Kevin were also on thin ice. If we wanted to by cynical we would say that they got by on their previous accomplishments in the show. Oh, but that never happens on Bravo reality shows.

Next week, the contestants are star-struck by guest Natalie Portman.