I really didn't understand why he didn't just make more rice! It's not like it takes that long. I wonder if the producers wouldn't let him.

Tom asked that same question in his blog (at least the first part; he didn't mention the producers).

And so did Leeanne!

She also mentioned that sushi rice is something that they have readily available in the pantry - so that wasn't even an issue. And she talks about the wrongheadedness of frying the shrimp first.

Going back to the Foo Fighters episode, Grant Achatz had this so say about Eugene:

Then you have guys like Gene, who’s like a cook’s cook. His food was some of the most impressive on this episode, and frankly some of the most creative. You can put that guy in any two star kitchen—I don’t care if it’s New York, San Francisco, or Chicago—that guy’s going to roll up his sleeves, burn his forearms, and bang it out.

Kind of makes me wonder what the heck happened to THAT Eugene. I hope that killer fatigue hasn't driven that guy away.

Kind of makes me wonder what the heck happened to THAT Eugene. I hope that killer fatigue hasn't driven that guy away.

Wasn't that just the previous episode, though? or was it 2 back? ETA oh it was two back. What did he even do last week? It was sushi too, right?

I think he just was kind of in love with the "New" sushi idea and then couldn't really figure out how to pull it off and then floundered.

I think it was clear Eugene new things were going wrong and was trying to salvage it, whereas Daniel was in full-on denial. The judges seem to be making the distinction this season a bit more than they have in some seasons past.

Yeah, I really appreciate that. It would have been a travesty if someone not Danny had gone home.

I think Eugene can get it back.

I also think it's interesting that Ariane is doing so well with really simple proteins done well. Oh, and that salad was also really simple, but apparently delicious. Honestly, it kind of makes me want to go to her restaurant, because I like that kind of thing! No big whoop, but really tasty. I wonder how she'll be able to pull off a whole plate on her own, though.

I'm trying to remember what Ariane's crappy stuff was like and all I can remember is the way too clever lemon meringue "martini" with the something something and the "cherry surprise." Ew. I really hope she's seeing and learning from this, because with the simple stuff she's really rocking it.

I also think it's interesting that Ariane is doing so well with really simple proteins done well.

And I don't think it's a coincidence that that's one of Tom Tom Colicchio's hallmarks, too. Not saying she's aping him or anything (Hell, sometimes to hear her talk, I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't know) but it's a thing that's obviously going to resonate with him.

I thought it was bullshit that Ariane won by putting lamb in the oven and taking it out again (Radhika did the marinade, so Ariane wasn't responsible for the flavor), while Fabio got called on the carpet for "only" doing the exact same damn thing and the spicing too with his fish.

I'll grant that lamb is harder to cook to perfection than Chilean sea bass, but it's hardly something only a restaurant-class chef can get right. Jamie was right to be pissed.

I didn't notice that Radhika did the marinade - that is a kind of big deal.

Ooh, huh.