Top Chef

The chefs compete in a multi-stage Quickfire that first tests their prep chops as they peel and brunoise a set of apples. The last part of the challenge finally tests their ability to make a tasty dish. Of the four in the bottom – Radhika, Leah, Patrick and Lauren – it's Lauren, the military wife from Georgia, who is the first chef eliminated. Stefan, a cocky chef from Finland, wins the challenge and immunity.

The chefs draw knives, and are paired up with another chef. The Elimination Challenge will put them head to head, competing to create a dish inspired by the cuisine of a different New York neighborhoods. The winner of the pair could win the whole challenge, and the loser can be in the bottom and possibly sent home.

The chefs shop, prep and serve, and start to give us a sense of their personalities.

Stefan and Ariane go head to head with Middle Eastern cuisine. Ariane seems to be a little insecure about her skills, and the fact that her farro is undercooked doesn't help matters. Stefan is an easy winner. Guest judge Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Tom Colicchio seem especially impressed with his assured use of cinnamon in a savory dish. He wins the pairing, and Ariane loses.

Richard is paired up against Jamie to cook Greek food for the Astoria neighborhood. Richard's lamb sliders and Jamie's deconstructed salad both win praise, but Richard's overcooked protein lands him in the bottom.

Radhika and Jill cook Jamaican cuisine. Radhika's mushy texture loses to Jill's flavors, despite Jill's slightly overcooked scallop.

Jeff is up against Fabio for Latin cuisine. Jeff lives in Florida and his exposure to the Latin cuisine there helps him win, as Fabio's is said to be underseasoned.

Hosea and Carla were competing to make Russian cuisine, inspired by the Brighton Beach neighborhood. Although Hosea wasn't as familiar with the cuisine, his trio of smoked fish impresses, and he wins over Carla's underseasoned dish.

Leah beats Melissa in the Little Italy pairing, with Melissa admitting she's not very familiar with Italian cuisine. Her dish was also called underseasoned.

Danny and Patrick cooked to represent Chinatown. Neither impressed the judges much, but Patrick loses for his one-note flavor and gummy noodles.

Alex and Eugene cooked Indian. Eugene was very nervous, as he wasn't familiar with Indian cuisine. Somehow, though, he managed to channel the flavors, and he not only wins, but wins praise from Padma for capturing a classic dish.

The judges are pleased with the offerings that kicked off Top Chef 5, and call back Eugene, Stefan and Leah are in the top. Stefan wins – two challenges in one episode – and the judges note that in all but one season, the first Elimination Challenge winner was the ultimate winner.

Patrick and Ariane are in the bottom. Patrick is criticized for his lackluster efforts, Ariane for missing the mark with the cooking of the grains, something she should have known.

It's Patrick, though, who is the second to go home from this season of Top Chef 5.

Stefan: Lamb chop with tabouli and beef skewers with onions


Alex: Lamb chop with curry stew topped with basmati rice


Ariane: Crusted rack of lamb, farro risotto, dates with chick peas


Carla: Smoked trout and salmon cakes with sour cream and caviar over potato latkes


Daniel: Poached chicken salad with bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and fried wontons


Eugene: Dry rub lamb with basmati sweet rice, tzatziki with tandoori glaze


Fabio: Pork with mango jalapeno demi glaze, roasted mushroom and avocado salad


Hosea: Smoked fish trio with caviar, creme frachea and apple chutney


Jamie: Pan roasted sea bass and eggplant puree with wild arugula salad


Jeff: Cuban coffee-seared tenderloin, smoked plantain with black beans and rice


Jill: Jerk-seasoned scallops with plantain fritters and three sauces


Leah: Farro risotto with red snapper, topped with mushrooms


Melissa: Ribeye with tomato sauce, arugula salad and fried mushrooms


Radhika: Jerk-rubbed halibut with ginger beer cocktail


Richard: Lamb slider with dill, feta, orzo pasta salad


Patrick: Basted salmon with black rice noodles and steamed bok choy

- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist