Top Chef

Unhappy Customers

Season 2, Episode 10, Aired 1/10/07

Episode Summary

This round's theme deals with vision and execution, challenging the chefs to create original concepts that can also be achieved. First the chefs must create a snack food using one of three Kraft condiments, and then it is on to this season's version of "Restaurant Wars".''''Guest Judge: Mike Yakura''''Kraft QuickFire Challenge: Create a Gourmet Snack Dish.''''Elimination Challenge: Create a Restaurant Concept & Menu, and Execute It with Your Team.''''Round Ten.moreless

8.5

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Cast & Crew

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Clifford Crooks

Season 2 Contestant
Sam Talbot (II)

Season 2 Contestant
Ilan Hall

Season 2 Contestant

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

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A let down after last years restruant wars...

8.2

"Great"

By sparkie_ac, May 25, 2011 Report Abuse

Ok again they have the same over all problem, all that drama and not good cooking. I mean come on, this year's chefs just are way to caught up in the drama to even show good of cooks they are.
I loved restruant wars last season and this season it looked promising. The ideas they had where good and if they ahd lost hte drama I think they would have stood out better than last season.
I was happy that Marcel was a winner with Sam in the Quickfire, he is a good cook and he might be cockie sometimes but at least he cooks. Sam really needs to step up and grow up if he will ever be top chef and talking down to Mike was uncalled for and off base.
No I did not feel that Mike should have gone home this time, while he might not be quite top chef this wa snot his turn. Cliff needed to and should have gone home. One he so was a bummer to the front of the house and the thought that he should be just shows his head need to be deflated. Then he didn't even cook anything big and got crabby over a sauce when the judges where talking to Marcel. Cliff needed and should have gone a long time ago.
Ilan wasn't great at front of the house but at least he tried and he cooked something. Actually the only one who cooked anything good on his team.
Sam come on Italian with no wine???? And you can't blame Mike either. Sam what about the desert??? Who you going to blame this time.moreless

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We start off with Marcel rapping, that was random, but fun.

9.1

"Superb"

By Maisy13, May 25, 2011 Report Abuse

I'll start off with what I think about the quick fire challenge. Mike tends to bomb on challenges that you would think would be easy for him. I think it's because he over thinks them. That works for the harder challenges, but not for the easier ones. Overall I was happy with the winners on that challenge. Now on to the elimination challenge. One, did they tell Mike before they went shopping that they would be serving olives, if so, why wasn't a dish added to the list to receive the olive pits. Maybe Mike should have thought of them, but neither did Sam and Ilan. And two, why should he buy wine glasses? He was told there would be no wine. Sam didn't allow Mike to get anything done in the kitchen. Mike should have stood up and taken more of a position on what he thought, but it's true that his mentality was, "just let me squeak by", Not, "Let me win". I don't disagree with his elimination, just for the reasons they stated. I agree with their decision on there being no winner. No one stepped up and delivered a winning performance.moreless

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2 0
Mike is gone, and the group that is left are just not as good as first season in my opinion!

8.5

"Great"

By tiredoldguy, May 25, 2011 Report Abuse

This elimination challenge was almost identical to the first season challenge. The biggest difference in my mind is the quality of the contestant. It is my opinion that the chef's in the first season were better and had more personality. One thing that I found fascinating was that Marcel was let off the hook even though he sent out raw chicken. Those of you who watch Hell's Kitchen know that this is a killing offense in Chef Ramsey's kitchen, and it does not matter if you make 1 or twenty dishes correctly after that!

I was sorry to see Mike go, but frankly he was way in over his depth. I think he is probably a good line cook, but he does not have the drive to be a Top Chef.

I am looking forward to the finale. This season just does not seem to have to kick that the first season had, and I think it maybe because of the apparent immaturity of this group.moreless

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Whose was better

8.0

"Great"

By lsburton, Mar 30, 2008 Report Abuse

This was another quick fire challange that I didn't really understand. They were to make a snack with mayo and a key ingredient. The remaining contestants were spit into two different groups and had to operate there own resteraunt. I personally liked Sam, Michael, and Ian's team because they did italian food which I love so i would have automatically chosen their team. I think Michael messed up big time for not getting the wine. That real important for an itlaian resturant. Cliff is definitly not a "front of the house" person, he should have stayed in the back. The judges decided it was time to send Michael home.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- QuickFire Challenge Dishes Marcel- Lamb Kebab with Curried Kraft Mayo, Endives, and Tomatoes. Cliff- Steak Tartare made with Kraft Mayo, Cornichons and Plums. Sam- Southern Kraft Sandwich with Tempura Shrimp, Pickled Peaches and BBQ Aoili. Michael- Brie and Crab Quesadilla with Chipotle and Mayo Salad. Elia- Fig Raisin Toast with Yogurt, Honey, Almonds, Grapes, and BBQ Sauce. Ilan- Smoked Salmon Napoleon with Zesty Italian Dressing. Edit
- Elimination Challenge Dishes Lalalina- Sam, Michael and Ilan Concept: Italian Course #1 Fried Meatball on Crostini with Parsley Pesto Course #2 Linguini with Walnut Parsley Pesto and Roasted Mushrooms Course #3 Roasted Pork Loin, Bacon Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Creamy Polenta Course #4 Watermelon "Gnocchi" with Cabrales and Asiago Cream M.E.C. Diner- Marcel, Elia, and Cliff Concept: Upscale Diner Course #1 Barbecue Coffee Chicken Wing Course #2 Tempura Vegetables and Mozzarella with Cornichon Aoili Course #3 "The Best Burger Ever"- the M.E.C. Burger with House Made Chips Course #4 Oreo Lemon Pie Edit
- The Italian team's restaurant name Lalalina came from Lacey, Michael's wife, Lauren, Sam's girlfriend, and Carolina, Ilan's girlfriend. Edit
Notes
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- Padma says in her blog that she would have chosen Elia instead of Marcel in the QuickFire Challenge since she was more innovative with her snack. She agreed with Mike Yakura about Sam, however. Edit
- Lee Anne says in her blog that when she got done briefing the competitors on the rules of the Elimination Challenge, she asked them all if they had seen the Season 1 episode Restaurant Wars. She was flabbergasted when they all said no. Edit
- Guest Judge Mike Yakura was, at the time of taping, the executive chef for both Sutra and Aura restaurants and lounges in the San Francisco area. At the time of broadcast, Yakura had left Sutra to focus solely on Aura, of which he is part owner. Edit
Quotes
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- Elia: (at the loft) Where's Marcel? Michael: Crying. Sam: I think he's on the roof. He's trying to jump. Edit
- Ilan: (trying to talk Elia into selling out her teammate Marcel) If you guys go up to the loser's block, then you just blame everything on Marcel. Elia: I don't wanna be in that Judges' Table for negative comment ever again, ever! Edit
- Michael: I love mayo, man. I'll eat it right out of the can. Edit
Allusions
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- Charlotte's Web In his exit interview Michael compares himself to the pig from the book "Charlotte's Web". Both got further in their respective competitions than anyone dreamed possible. Edit