We see, yet again, Brian Malarkey performing much lower than his own expectations…Lee Anne finally didn’t end up on the bottom, Kevin won ANOTHER quick fire, and Gregory won another elimination challenge. Also, Melissa sold the most of her product. It seems to be shaping up to be a three way race between Gregory, Kevin, and Melissa, but it’s still early and anything can happen. Let’s see how the chefs stack up heading into this double elimination.
10. Brian Malarkey- Malarkey was way in over his head this week, and I think this episode REALLY sunk his chances of winning. I don’t see him surviving an elimination, let alone a double elimination. The only thing keeping him around is…confidence? It’s time for him to go.
9. Lee Anne Wong- Lee Anne had lots of emotional content with her mom, and had a pretty great dish for the elimination challenge. I think Lee Anne finally broke out of her shell this week. Oh wait, she’s working with Malarkey next week. WHAT?! After performing successfully, Lee Anne decides to work with Malarkey in a double elimination challenge? Ugh, I wish it wasn’t so, but in the one week I’d put Lee Anne safe, it seems like she’ll be dragged down by Malarkey. Sigh, oh well.
8. Stephanie Cmar- I think I spoke too soon on Stephanie last week. She’s been on the bottom three times now, and hasn’t won any challenges either. She was on the bottom of Malarkey’s personal rankings, and I hate to say that—had this not been a double elimination where Malarkey and Lee Anne are working together as a team—she is next to go.
7. Karen Akunowicz- Karen and Nini are in an interesting middle ground where they haven’t been in much trouble, but also haven’t been winning anything. They’re always in the conversation, but never winning it. For that, I put them smack dab in the middle, as they are working together in the next challenge.
6. Nini Nguyen- Nini was on top for this challenge, and rightfully so. She did a great job. I think Nini keeps producing some really good food, but she just hasn’t been able to win anything, and right now, it just seems like she’s being overshadowed. But I don’t count her out, as she is still prominently featured from an edit standpoint. I like Nini and hope she can finally win a challenge amongst the Gregories, Kevins, and Melissas of the world.
5. Bryan Voltaggio- Bryan is always getting solid compliments on his food. His pasta looked great. But he hasn’t won a challenge yet, which is pretty surprising given his caliber. He’s still a top 5 contender, but hasn’t been able to crack into the dominant top 4 right now.
4. Eric Adjepong- Eric’s dishes have been on the top three weeks in a row now for elimination challenges. His momentum is only growing. This Calypso Sauce he made would be MY personal pick for the best product, and I think his place in the top three was earned. He hasn’t won a challenge, which keeps him behind the big three, but I do think Eric is only heating up, and Malarkey ranking him so low was a crime and complete misjudgment.
3. Kevin Gillespie- Kevin won another qucikfire, his fourth win this season. He’s been pretty consistently dominant, moreso in quick fires than elimination, but still a big contender. I like Kevin a lot, and from a story aspect, I think he’s the one to beat, even if Melissa and Gregory seem to be the ones to beat from a cooking aspect. Any of the three of them will probably win it all unless we see a big shakeup in the coming weeks.
2. Melissa King- Melissa didn’t win the challenge, BUT, her product sold the best. She still has those two elimination challenge wins back to back which give her a clear frontrunner status in the group. Melissa is no joke, and the fact that she is working in another team with someone, it could be very exciting for her. I bet she's on the top again.
1. Gregory Gordet- Gregory won another elimination challenge, bringing his challenge totals to 3. He has been doing a pretty great job, and winning a challenge with a family member was a great cherry topper to his personal arc. His journey is not over, and right now, he’s the man to beat.
Right now, it’s no question that Kevin, Melissa, and Gregory’s frequent wins keep them in the conversation for winners. Bryan, Eric, Nini, and Karen are all biting for those other spots as contenders, and just need individual wins to prove it. As for Stephanie, Malarkey, and Lee Anne, who have been consistently on the bottom, it seems clear that—in a DOUBLE elimination—Lee Anne and Malarkey are going to have LOTS of trouble staying alive this week.
1. Gregory (+1)
2. Melissa (-1)
3. Kevin (+1)
4. Eric (-1)
5. Bryan (+1)
6. Nini (+1)
7. Karen (+1)
8. Stephanie (-3)
9. Lee Anne (+2)
10. Brian —
Biggest Rise: Lee Anne (+2)
Biggest Drop: Stephanie (-3)