Shanika went, as predicted. And then Julia, who I thought could be in trouble. The Top 6 is really emerging as a strong bunch, but I still can’t decide on who is the front runner of the pack. Here we go, let’s rank.
6. Bowen Li- Bowen had a rough first half of the episode, failing as team leader, and almost losing to Shanika in a pressure test. I think he redeemed himself in the second half of the episode. But it may be too little too late. He’s obviously the weakest of the entire bunch, and since Gordon has 3 aprons left, he’s bound to lose one. This edit is throwing me for a loop.
5. Farhan Momin- Farhan has his ups and his downs. He’s a solid chef, we all know that. He never once seems flustered or frustrated. But this isn’t the first time he’s put out a bad dish and not known it was a bad dish. Self-awareness seems to be his problem and I hope he gets a grip soon, or he could be going.
4. Ashley Mincey- Ashley hasn’t topped this list yet, and she’ll still have to wait a bit. Ashley has been one of the most consistent here, popping out dish after fantastic dish. But she’s never the top of the totem pole, always outshined by someone else. This has been the case since the week Ralph left (the last time she won an individual challenge). She’ll either win like the tortoise, slowly and steadily. Or she’ll simply come up a hare short.
3. Samantha Daily- Sam had excellent pasta in the pressure test, a gorgeous soup in the mystery box, and one of the best steak dishes of the night in the main challenge. She can COOK. I think she’s underestimated and could be in the finale.
2. Gerron Hunt- Gerron has been doing very well. Considering I thought he was an obvious boot earlier in the season, I’m happy to be wrong. I feel like Joe will have an apron in the end game, and Gerron is the only option he has. So I think Gerron will survive a few more weeks even if he’s not the end winner of this whole thing.
1. Cesar Cano- Cesar killed it this week (as he usually does), winning the team challenge and mystery box. I think Cesar is super strong and seems like the obvious winner right now, but anything can happen as we saw with Emily.
I think all six have edits that could lead to a win. Right now, Cesar is the top of the pack, but Gerron (being Joe’s only apron) seems to be a probable finale contender. Gordon is probably bound to lose an apron, right? Ashley, Sam, and Bowen all have cases to stay, but Bowen has the most reasons for elimination.