The four Top Chefs – Jennifer, Michael Voltaggio, Bryan Voltaggio and Kevin – compete on the Napa Valley Wine Train where it was all about the grapes. Bravo's Top Chef Judges, Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio, challenge the chefs, as the Voltaggio Brothers take on the remaining two cheftestants. Michael Chiarello, another Top Chef Master finalist, was the guest judge.
The Quickfire Challenge – All Aboard to Napa Valley
Since all the bad girls and boys are gone – Robin, Eli, Michael I. and Ash – the remaining four are free to exploit their cooking style to its full potential. The Quickfire Challenge tested the chefs cooking skills while riding on a moving train – The Napa Valley Wine Train to be exact. The high stakes prize was a Toyota Prius.
The chefs have 30 minutes in which to prepare dinner aboard the swaying Napa Valley Wine Train, using some of Napa Valley's finest grapes and wine. One of the chefs gets motion sickness, and the moving train and tight quarters proved to be a problem for some. Michael wins the Quickfire Challenge because he uses all parts of the grape, including the stem for a skewer. As the winner, Michael V. will be driving away in his brand new Prius.
Crush Party Challenge
For their final challenge, the chefs have to cook for 150 people at a local vineyard, using only local ingredients. In keeping with the naturally healthy California lifestyle, one dish had to be vegetarian. The second dish has to be made with a local protein. The dishes have to be either grown or raised in the Napa Valley area, and with only 5 hours in which to pull this off, feeding 150 people is a challenge, even for the most confidant of chefs.
Kevin makes roasted vegetables, with a protein of brisket and pumpkin polenta. Bryan made goat cheese ravioli and braised short ribs. Michael makes a vegetable pistou, with a protein of fois gras turrine and turnip soup. Jen's vegetarian dish was chevre mousse with mushrooms that was too salty, and her protein was a "very ducky" duck dish.
The Judges Table
It was a hard decision for the judges during Season 6, The Finale Part I. They all agreed, Bryan clearly was the winner. He was in control, and the judges said he made the local products sing. In the end, Jennifer packs her knives and goes home.
It's now down to three remaining male cheftestants – the two sibling rival Voltaggio Brothers and Kevin Gillespie. Part II of Top Chef, Season 6, The Season Finale should prove to be interesting.
Top Chef Season 6, airs at 10:00pm EST on Bravo.
Written by Donna Diegel
HULIQ.com
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