The first thing I will say is what the hell, Joey? You’re my boy, and you know I love you, but talk about a brain fart! I’ll leave it at that. Secondly, bow tie pasta? C’mon! Of course, you can figure out what it is Casey, and I will give you credit for the fish paste, mmm, delicious … NOT! Ok, so this is one of those fun challenges where the academic chefs seemed excited to participate but the faces on our lovely “practical” cheftestants told a different story. As Chefs we know how important it is to constantly seek information, to search near and far for fabulous new ingredients but more importantly educate ourselves on everything culinary. This was that challenge. Some did better than others, some got nervous at the hand of Rocco’s sultry stare and some, well … some just. So Casey congrats, I suppose. I wish the bee had been a little more challenging but there’s always next season ;)

So this challenge hit home and I’ll be honest, my expectations of this season’s chefs are pretty high! So onto the Quickfire challenge: frozen pie crust! My lovely Chef Dale, I understand your grief but let me tell u gurrrrl its much better than a roll of quarters and a vending machine!

So many ideas came to my mind. I mean, you have 90 minutes and a frozen shell that you can fill, bend, mold, wrap and shape into anything you want. Doesn’t seem so difficult, right? Wrong! Like true “Top Chef” style the simplest of challenges can become more difficult than imagined, but only the chef who can relax and let their mojo flow will prevail!

So right out of the blocks we know it couldn’t be Hung -- sorry brother but you’re slightly a FREAK. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think many of your earlier dishes were quite sophisticated, elegant even, but as of late what is going on? My boy, Chef Joey, it was so nice seeing you just do your damn thing! I find myself so envious of the amazing pantry available to the chefs this season -- go Chef Lee Anne! Ok, so enough of the obvious penthouse, hot tub and pantry envy I keep displaying and onto the nuances of this challenge.