what an episode, all 5 of them were on fire, seemed like not a single mistake was made.

Glad for Antonia, and boy oh boy was Padma harsh on Blais!

Just a huge copout... I wonder whether it would have been Tiffany or Carla going home? (Has Carla now been on the bottom of the last 3 elimination challenges? I still think she's a shoe in for the final 3, but she has not fared well in the elimination challenges recently)

It sounded like there were a few things on Carla's dish that were off but were overcome by the broth, the grit cake and the biscuits. And it sounded like Tiffany's dish was good but a little 'busy'... I wondered if the judges comments were edited a bit given the outcome.

I wish they had done a specific challenge as opposed to just a where you came from challenge so they took the chefs out of their comfort zone, especially as the last challenge will be a cook your meal challenge as well.

Wow, I nailed that one. I didn't pick Antonia to win but did guess that Carla won the QF, and after all their meals were served I guessed that nobody was getting sent home.

And I agree, that was unbelievably harsh on Blais.

I think Carla was at the bottom for them, but yeah, we both called it at my house too.

I like Bourdain's take on Blais

probably too late for most of you, and most probably don't care, but this post discusses previews for next week

Yeah, I'm hoping Voltaggio wipes the floor with Isabella.

That was the first thing I thought of too. Mike doesn't have a prayer.

Danno! did you just spoil the premise for next weeks episode for me!

Spoil it? It was at the end of the show! Anyone who watched the show on Bravo saw as much of the premise as I indicated. If you watch it differently somehow, or skip over that on your DVR, that really isn't my fault.

It can't be as simple as beating the winner though right? It doesn't make a lot of sense to send someone home who has the best food of the contestants, just because their season's winner was better.

It's in the rules Dan! A preview for next week isn't discussed except in Spoilers!

I always FF thru that stuff! I'm not mad, but you know!

Ah, sorry, I'm a TV Talk newb, I rarely post in here (other than this thread). Had no idea that a 30 min segment that was aired with the episode needed to be spoilerized. mea culpa.

After watching the lovefest that was going on before and during the judges table, I expected them to announce that they liked everyone's food so much that they were bringing Dale back into the competition and inviting 6 contestants to the Bahamas.

James Oseland Returns as Series Judge Along With New Judge, Legendary Food Critic, Ruth Reichl
Series Premieres Wednesday, April 6 at 11pm ET/PT
NEW YORK – March 2, 2011 – Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” returns with a brand new format and 12 new award-winning chefs hungry to compete for the title of “Top Chef Master” and win $100,000 for their charity. This season, the masters will no longer be judged on a scale, but in elimination style challenges just as the tried and true format of the original “Top Chef.” In each episode, money will be at stake, with the winners of every quickfire challenge winning $5,000 and elimination challenges winning $10,000 for their designated charities. As previously announced, celebrity chef Curtis Stone will serve as the newly appointed host of the series along with returning judge and culinary expert, James Oseland, and new series judge, the legendary food critic and author, Ruth Reichl. The third season of “Top Chef Masters” premieres on Wednesday, April 6 at 11 p.m. ET/PT and will move to its regular time period on April 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

“Top Chef Masters” pits 12 world-renowned chefs against each other to see how well they fare in fierce culinary competition. Each week will whittle down the chefs until the finale where one winner is crowned “Top Chef Master” and receive the grand prize of $100,000 for the charity of their choice. With so much money at stake, the chefs are bringing more than their knives to the table; they’re bringing their egos and stirring up the drama. The chefs must face off in some of the most difficult challenges we’ve seen thus far – including the infamous restaurant wars – and they’re serving up food for some master entertainers and celebrity guest judges including: Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks, pop/rock group Maroon 5 and pop sensation Kelis, among others.


The Contestants

Hugh Acheson - Chef/ Partner: Five& Ten, The National, Gosford Wine – in Athens, GA and Empire State South, Atlanta, GA; Competing for Wholesome Wave Foundation

Floyd Cardoz – Former Executive Chef/Partner- of Tabla and soon-to-be Executive Chef/Partner of a new Danny Meyer restaurant; Competing for Young Scientist Cancer Research Fund

John Currence - City Grocery Restaurant Group, Oxford, MS Competing for No Kid Hungry

Traci Des Jardins - Chef/Co-owner of Jardiničre, Mijita Cocina Mexicana and Public House and Manzanita, San Francisco, CA; Competing for La Cocina

George Mendes - Chef/Co-Owner of ALDEA, Manhattan, NY; Competing for Charity: Water

Mary Sue Milliken - Co-Chef/ Owner: Border Grill Restaurants and Truck, Los Angeles, CA; Competing for Share Our Strength

Naomi Pomeroy - Owner: Beast in Portland, OR; Competing for Seed Savers Exchange

Suvir Saran - Executive Chef: Dévi, New York, NY; Competing for Agricultural Stewardship Association

John Rivera Sedlar - Owner: Playa, Los Angeles, CA; Competing for American Diabetes Association

Alex Stratta - Executive Chef: Stratta, Las Vegas, NV; Competing for Faster Cures, part of the Milken Prostate Cancer Foundation

Celina Tio - Chef/Owner: JULIAN Restaurant, Kansas City, MO, Competing for Harvesters

Sue Zemanick - Executive Chef: Gautreau’s, New Orleans, LA; Competing for the Louisiana SPCA

I only know a couple of those chefs by name.

If you don't want to see the (possible) final 3, DON'T visit Padma's Twitter.

You'd think the host of the show would know better than to tweet a pic from the reunion show weeks before it airs...

Chef Tio was just on the Next Iron Chef.
I know des Jardins from SF obviously.

Oh and I saw Erik at Starbucks last week, that's the 3rd time I've seen him out and about

http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/bio/erik-hopfinger

What was Carla's prize for the quick fire? I don't remember it being said.

Wasn't it a trip to Japan? I dunno, she's won 3 trips so far.

Do you think Dale's tough guy demeanor was just a front to mask his fragile and sensitive inner-self? He cried like a baby when he was knocked out of the competition.

I could see "pop singer Kelis", but pop sensation? Doesn't that wording suggest an emerging new artist or someone who is currently blowing up the charts? Is this 2003?

Those are the 2 I know by name!

The sting of defeat in a field you love is a painful thing indeed. Think of something that's important to you and then losing it. It's an emotional and draining ordeal.

Unfortunate that Top Chef gave away who was going home tonight in last week's preview. Given that they showed people in scenes from next week's episode it was pretty easy to tell that they wouldn't be eliminated.

Hate that Tiffany and Mike are still here. I think it's a flaw of the show that chefs can skate bye all season in the middle or not quite the bottom. Hell, Mike didn't even really belong on the season and is only here b/c the other season 6 chefs said no.