I think what saved him was that the flavors of the dish were good, right?

That's basically what Tom said during judging - that if he hadn't overcooked the fish it would have been really good.

Normally I'd go to the blogs for this, but the only one up so far os Toby Young who says he would have sent Hosea home.

I think what saved him was that the flavors of the dish were good, right?

No, Tom saved him. They were trying to find something nice to say about it. He didn't respect the protein, and that's usually the kiss of death.

I'm also annoyed that his "gotta beat the Euros" has devolved to "gotta beat Stefan". Not that the "beat the Euros" wasn't annoying as well; it's the fact he doesn't see Fabio as competition anymore that's really galling

I think that it's less about that and more about personal animosity. He just hates Stefan, which is understandable. I also wonder if he's getting a bad edit. We don't know what questions that they're being asked in the "confession" sessions. If Hosea keeps being asked things like "how do you feel about Stefan winning" or "do you think Stefan's the best chef", etc, then that explains some of it. He's still a douche in his response, but it makes it slightly better that he's responding to questions rather than continuing to advocate his hatred unsolicited.

Sean is me. She was so annoying in the beginning, but she's really stepped up recently.

I think being exhausted has calmed her the hell down, so while everyone else is dragging, she's kind-of down to "normal" levels of energy.

I wonder if Stefan has kind of hit a wall, because he's been having more problems lately, it seems to me.

I think the exhaustion is getting to him more than he lets on, as is the overconfidence, although the salmon experience (not an emo band) should knock some of that out of him. Although I doubt it.

My big worry is that the break they get between the challenges and the semifinal will reset Carla's wackiness and Stefan's energy levels. I think if they went straight through, Carla might actually take it. Give 'em a rest, and Stefan's in a better position.

I'm getting really annoyed with Hosea's Stefan issues. All he does he say "I have to beat Stefan, he's not as good as he thinks, etc."

Dear Hosea: I'm pretty sure the evidence supports that he is indeed, more or less, as good as he thinks. Now get a life. Signed sincerely, The World.

the salmon experience (not an emo band)

Water. On. My. Monitor.

My big worry is that the break they get between the challenges and the semifinal will reset Carla's wackiness and Stefan's energy levels. I think if they went straight through, Carla might actually take it. Give 'em a rest, and Stefan's in a better position.

This. I hope that Carla manages to continue to keep her groove in New Orleans.

No, Tom saved him. They were trying to find something nice to say about it. He didn't respect the protein, and that's usually the kiss of death.

Usually that's true, but I have to say, giving Jacques Pépin bad hollandaise is the kiss of death. It's one of the five mother sauces, and if a chef can't do it right, they should go.

For me it was definitely between Hosea and Leah, but I feel bad for Hosea because the Shrimp Scampi / Tomate Provençale was such a bizarre combination in my mind.

Usually that's true, but I have to say, giving Jacques Pépin bad hollandaise is the kiss of death. It's one of the five mother sauces, and if a chef can't do it right, they should go.

I figured she was done when they pointed out that Eggs Benedict is all about the textures and she had all of them wrong. But after last week I didn't want to assume anything.

It's one of the five mother sauces, and if a chef can't do it right, they should go.

Speaking of last week...

I really liked the elimination challenge, as well. Just enough room for the cheftestants to express themselves, while needing to honor tradition as well.

I also loved that Carla knocked the peas out of the park. Something so seemingly simple, but she totally pleased the man who wanted the peas.

Good peas out of season is hard.

She really lucked out by finding fresh ones at the store--even the judges were surprised by the availability.

A good dish of green peas is not to be passed over. Yumm, peas!