At this point in the competition--like in every season of Top Chef--you can see where the clear competitors are, who will make it to the end if they can manage not to fuck up enormously. The only season I ever felt truly dissatisfied with the result was when not-Marcel won--neither of those dudes should have been the final two. Anyway, the narrative is shaping up with Jamie, Stephan, Fabio, and perhaps Leah if she pulls through. Wild cards--Jeff, possibly Ariane. I can more or less see everyone else getting cut unless they start pushing way harder and pull something really good.

I really liked the marinaded lamb over vadouvan carrot puree. It looked like something I would be eager to order at a restaurant.

I think that Eugene could sneak in there at the end. He's got a lot of raw talent.

Yeah, I would include Jeff and Eugene as wild cards. Ariane probably not so much. I think she's proven in the last couple rounds she's a decent *cook* but I don't know that she's an especially creative or innovative *chef*.

I don't think Eugene has the sophistication to make it through Restaurant Wars, to be honest. Starting now, with the palate test, they're going to start making the challenges that more difficult to see who can rise to them, and I really don't think Eugene--as much as I like him as a cook--has the vision and ability to execute that will keep him in the competition. Comparatively, I think Jeff does--the heirloom tomato sorbet is an excellent example of both vision and execution that could serve him well in the next couple weeks.

Then again, Mikey made it as far as he did, so who knows.

Ariane, well. I'm rooting for her to the extent that, as an underdog, I want her to make it. But if she ends up taking a slot that should go to a more competent chef I'm going to be pissed off.

Radhika has been flying pretty under the radar for the last few eps. But she won an early challenge didn't she?

god, MIKEY. I really hated Season 2. Although Mikey kinda cracked me up. But, bah, Ilan.

Season 2 was a lesson in how not to do the show. Terrible.

Season two was awful. And I was all amped up for it.

Anyway, yeah, agree with the assessment. I love the palate test because it's right about the time you start to see the real competitors shine through.

Stephan, Fabio, yeah, Jamie if she doesn't implode. I'd say Jeff (hate!) and Eugene (love!) are wild cards. Ariane I'm rooting for, but don't think she'll make it to the end. And Leah. Leah has been winning but I still don't remember her. So she may hang in, too, since it's clear she has some skill.

What do you guys think about Hosea? I think he may be in the mix, too.

I like Hosea! Although I'm not sure he has the chops.

Why do you hate Jeff, Liese? I'm not sure he's a huge talent, but I do like the way he's been a team player so far.

I was disappointed that Sam screwed up in S2. I think he's far more talented than Ilan. And I did hate the immaturity and the drama that season. Cliff was talented, too, and absolutely shot himself in the foot with that ridiculous shaving stunt.

Hosea has cute dimples. That's all I know about his cooking.