MONDO EXTRAS

Arranging themselves in front of all the chefs, the judges pass down their judgment. Dave's signature flavors were in his dish, but Colicchio wishes he had cooked his eggs less, just as he wishes Tiffani had cooked her eggs more. Colicchio really liked Stephen's omelet and was impressed at how well it came out in spite of using only one hand. Omelets are tricky, but the classic French way of making it is to bang it down in the side of the pan (just before plating) with one hand, so I wonder if the twist might have worked to Stephen's advantage. Stephen wins the Quickfire for the Onesies and will be their team leader. Stephen's charity of choice for his team is the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

Moving on to Season Two, Colicchio quickly says that Marcel's saffron foam was really great, Ilan's dish was way too salty, Elia's fresh herbs were nice, and Sam's "interesting" dish was cooked really well and he liked the dish. Colicchio says he would have given the win to Ilan but he couldn't get past the salt, so Marcel wins the team leadership. While I can understand that after what Marcel went through last season and seems to be still going through even now, Marcel has reason to be a bit gloat. However, I think he goes a bit overboard in patting himself on the back for this complete saffron smackdown of Ilan. He even punches it up with those rappy arm gestures of his. No rap, though. Yet. Marcel's chosen charity is Share Our Strength: Working to End Childhood Hunger in America. Colicchio then announces that Stephen and the Onesies are the overall winners. Excellent. Excellent.

Why are they calling this the Elimination Challenge? Who is going to be eliminated? Well, I guess they all are, technically, so maybe that's the whole point. It's a stupid point, but I guess I could argue it. In Stupid Court. Padma explains that each team will prepare a four-course meal using pre-determined proteins. The first course will be scallops, the second lobster, the third duck, and the final Kobe beef. Ilan dramatically licks his lips and nauseates me. Padma taunts them with the information that their judges will be the usual suspects and also a bunch of mystery judges, who are "special guests with a wide array of discriminating palates." Harold frowns at this, but not from concern. It looks more like he's wondering why Padma is making such a big deal about the guests when he has his Own Restaurant. The Twosies have $200 to spend and because of their win, the Onesies have $300. I can't believe I didn't immediately call where that extra $100 was going to go with Stephen as team leader.