Next Iron Chef: Transcendence

Posted by Lauren

While in San Francisco yesterday, my mom overheard Nicole and I talking about blog posts and she chimed in with: “I really don’t like those TV show posts you do, I barely read the first sentence….” Um, thanks MOM. You’re supposed to be our #1 supporter! HAHA oh well. There are only two episodes left, and I’m not stopping now.

Episode 7 – The top 4 become the final 3…

The chefs are still in Vegas, but this time we see them in David Copperfield’s museum/warehouse. He’s the most commercially successful magician in history and has won 21 Emmys. He’s also knighted by the French government. Who would have thought?

Alton lets us all know that David will reveal the secret ingredient. The chefs will have to tackle the classic Vegas Buffet, taking it to a transcendent place that focuses on this soon-to-be-revealed, super secret ingredient.

I’m not sure what Alex G-$ is implying during her 1-on-1 about David Copperfield…………

First, David reveals tomato. But nope, that’s not the secret ingredient. Then he plays with this glass box and reveals other pantry staples, like eggs. Nope, those aren’t it either. Stop teasing us Mr. Copperfield!

Finally, he summons a card out of Alton’s pocket… SMOKY, SALTY, SWEET, DELICIOUS BACON.

They’ve got to make two cold offerings and three hot offerings for several Las Vegas VIPs (that don’t even vote?!) and a special guest judge. I was hoping for Holly Madison… that didn’t pan out. Chef Freitag won last week, so she had the task of assembling two teams.

Her strategy was to “choose somebody with the same sensibility of food.” I guess that meant Chef Appleman? By default, Vigneron and Alex G-$ paired up. They decided to take their buffet to France. But then this happened:

He has a bad French accent.

One of my favorite lines came from Chef Freitag, which reminded me of my milkshake question from a recent post.

In complete non-Iron Chef fashion, they also told the chefs to make a presentable buffet table. I didn’t realize interior design was an Iron Chef pre-req.

Appleman, surprisingly, got really into the decorating challenge. However, he needs to take a lesson in draping fabrics (critique from the special guest judge).

With just seconds to go, the chefs started running back and forth from the kitchen… very high energy.

Appleman pulled a Santa Clause, double-checking their buffet list. Just look at that FOCUS!

The bell rang, and Freitag/Appleman embraced. I could already tell they’d win based off their prep work. Lobster and Canadian bacon crepe, Elvis-inspired dessert, honey mustard pork belly… they had it in the bag.

The special guest judge was a big let down. Why is the fashion director of InStyle Mag relevant for this show?

I was right, Appleman/Freitag won the challenge. Their salad with country fried bacon fit the Vegas Buffet theme perfectly, especially compared to the undercooked leeks and grainy chocolate mousse from the Vigneron/G-$ offerings.

If anything, this became the prime opportunity to get Vigneron off the show. (He seems like a fun guy, but not IC material.)

The Secret Ingredient Showdown focused on all sorts of Hershey’s candies. The real twist – make a savory dish using TWO types of candy.

Both chefs instantly got in the ZONE and they cooked their hearts out. In the case of Alex G-$, she literally cooked heart – fried duck heart.

Alex G-$’s plate outshone Vigneron’s poached lamb with milk chocolate eggplant caponata and white chocolate-curry risotto. THREE TO GO!

Alex G-$, Freitag, and Appleman battled last night (Sunday) and a new Iron Chef was crowned. I can’t wait to watch! My friend Andrew bet me that Freitag would win and I can’t let that happen. So, Hopefully either Alex or Appleman clinch the title. Except not Appleman, because he has to focus on keeping Chipotle’s recipes awesome. So really, just Alex. GO, ALEX, GO!

-Lauren