They're not wasting any time this week, as the Elimination starts immediately. Padma instructs the group to divide itself into two teams (Red and Blue) -- once they've polarized along political lines, it's time for a field trip. As several cheftestants make a beeline for Richard, Spike expresses surprise that anyone would want to be on a team with someone who's just secured immunity, if for no other reason that "the law of averages." Spike, he of the keeping-it-real street taco, becomes the de facto ringleader of Red Team, while fancy-pants Richard provides the anchor for Blue Team (due, in part, to his blue apron). Plenty of red versus blue quips to come.

Red Team is Zoi, Jennifer (so for this team challenge, the lesbian couple technically competes with, instead of against, each other), Dale, Andrew, Erik, Spike and Ryan. Jennifer's pleased to be working with Zoi -- "I respect her and she's, like, one of the best cooks I've ever worked with." She kind of has to say stuff like that, doesn't she, if she wants to get laid. Blue Team is Stephanie, Nikki, Antonia, Mark, Manuel, Lisa and Richard. As the (red and blue) Highlanders set off through the streets of Chicago, the groups phone and walkie-talkie and text each other in an attempt to figure out where they're going, and what kind of ethnic food they'll be saddled with, but they clearly have no idea. Watching people mired in an exercise in futility is almost as enjoyable as participating in one.

The mystery destination simply deepens the mystery -- it's a quiet, tree-lined, neighborhood street with nary a strange ingredient (or another person to be seen. Calling Chicago "a city made up of neighborhoods" (my, goodness, how unique!), Padma explains that this particular neighborhood will be having its annual block party tomorrow, and the cheftestants have "to help make it their most memorable yet." And then she says, "Inyourmealstogetherdotcomeliminationchallenge." Excuse me? And then everyone claps and looks really happy. Turns out it's a Clorox thing, it's not mentioned again for the entire episode, and I'm not linking to it. Smiles fade as Padma tells them to expect 40 adults and 70 kids, and then that they won't be shopping for the challenge, "at least, not in the traditional sense."