Top Chef: Ancient Secrets Of the Four-Hour Thanksgiving Salad

The top two:

Marcel: Astro Boy? Our hero called him Astro Boy, just like we do! Yay! Did Tony read our reviews, go back in time to the taping, and steal our nickname for Marcel? Or perhaps Mary Ladd did, and told him? No, we guess the resemblence is obvious to anyone whose seen both the anime and Marcel. In any case, Marcel's dish fit the spirit of the competition most closely: Turkey Roulade with Stuffing and Cranberry Gelée and Cranberry Foam. The turkey was too dry, though. Marcel sort of excuses that by saying he didn't have some piece of equipment or another; Chef Tom says all he had to do was add a layer of fat. Mmmmm, layer of fat.

Elia: She was the winner, which was great. She had a bit of a hero's journey in brief during this episode: She was put off when Chef Tom put her in the bottom group; she felt her dish from cans (Fruit Salad & Beef Hash with Celery, Red Pepper, Kidney Beans & Mint) was superior to Cliff's. Chef Tom actually liked the components seperately, but did not like them together. At first, she got angry -- denouncing Chef Tom's decision -- which turned into getting a little loopy, painting her face with chocolate in the kitchen and acting silly. But when she next saw Chef Tom, she called him out -- and he was forthright in his reponse, which Elia respected. From then on, it was all business, and she brought it.
Her dish, Portobello & Button Mushroom Creme Soup with Walnuts, was not "cutting edge," but was the best received, being cited as tasty (but not "cravable?" What the hell?)

Those up for elimination:

Michael exorcises the spirit of his crappy "cheeto-snicker lollipop" in the amuse bouche challenge by creating a very well recieved Turkey & Egg Toast Canapé. In fact, Mikey just went for it; he also made Twice Baked Potato with Shrimp, Parsnip Mashed Potatoes, as well as Corn with Parmesan, and also a cheese plate. He was at once impressive and not-so-much: the cheese plate was ill-concieved in its timing, and there was not much "cutting edge" in his many dishes, though Tony Bourdain called his mashed potato dish "the single best mouthful of food" he'd had during the meal. Tony seemed to like Mike's stuff overall because of how "perverse" it seemingly was. When Chef Tom asks Mike what's "cutting edge" about a twice-baked potato, he replies that he'd never seen it done with shrimp before.

Okay, he's a little doofus-y, but we're starting to enjoy Mike.

Carlos made a salad with toasted pepitas and roasted butternut squash. He admitted earlier in the show (which we know may just be clever editing that others aren't quoted similarly) that he's just trying not to lose. It showed; the dish was just okay, not cutting edge, and not a great use of the time he was given.

Betty: Pumpkin Pie Chai Crème Brulee and Chocolate Hazelnut Crème Brulee & a Shot of Coffee. Utter failure; to paraphrase Chef Tom: pumpkin pie filling with a crust ain't no brulee. she blames Marcel, because he helped her torch the stuff. Huh? Sheen off of the apple, anyone? What a b*tch!

So then these three are asked who they'd send home. Betty has some tirade about how Carlos should leave today, though she would prefer it be Marcel because she hates him, more or less (way to stay on point!). Mike plays the "Carlos made a salad in four hours" card. Carlos thinks it should be Betty.

Ultimately, the four-hour salad does Carlos in. He actually did okay in the show to this point, but playing it a little too safe is probably what did him in.

Tune in tonight! We will if we can stay up that late; we're hoping one of the challenges involves chicken soup.