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Top Chef S17 Power Rankings (Top 9)

Apr 29, 2020 by PowerRankings101

Poor Nini fell victim to another double elimination this season, and she wasn’t able to win at Last Chance Kitchen. Karen won at Last Chance Kitchen, in a revolving door, and is now back in. Karen has been a middle-of-the-road performer this season, and I wonder if this will put more drive in her to lead to more victories. Malarkey and Lee Anne managed to come out toward the top, with Kevin and Melissa winning yet ANOTHER challenge. Wow. It seems to be shaping up to be a pretty tight three-way race between Melissa, Kevin, and Gregory, but there are some dark horses. Let’s rank.

9. Stephanie Cmar- Stephanie wasn’t on the bottom this week, but she, Malarkey, and Lee Anne have had the most consistent track records on the bottom, and I think, after such a high from Lee Anne and Malarkey, Stephanie may be the most vulnerable. She just hasn’t performed this season to the caliber she did on her original one, and I think she is great, but not excellent when compared to her peers. The preview suggested trouble ahead for Stephanie, and while I’m rooting for her, I just don’t think she’s lived up to the heights of her week one dish.

8. Brian Malarkey- Malarkey did well, but only because Lee Anne forced him to edit down his dish. Without editing, it could have been a catastrophe, and I worry he’ll struggle if he’s on his own again in this upcoming challenge. His plating is always excellent, but it seems he doesn’t know when to show restraint, and I worry he’s gone sooner than later.

7. Karen Akunowicz- Karen came back from LCK after being eliminated, and she’s probably in it for some redemption and revenge, in a way. I hate that Nini went as a result, but I’m glad Karen gets another shot. She’s got a lot of success in restaurants, so I really think she’ll get that shot at restaurant wars in a few episodes. She is in the bottom half (she was eliminated once, after all), but I don’t think she’ll go home this soon. She’s got fight in her. This was the push.

6. Lee Anne Wong- Lee Anne was super successful this week. She learned to edit her dish, control Malarkey, and produce a top dish. She didn’t clinch the win, but I think she did a remarkably good job, for her own standards and the season’s standard. Is she a top contender yet? I still don’t know. But she’s no longer in my bottom tier, which is nice for Lee Anne. Happy for her.

5. Eric Adjepong- Eric and Bryan landed in the bottom, so this puts him a little bit lower than last week, but he’s been on the top a bunch before that. I think Eric is someone who always has a game plan, and executed properly or not, he is still usually applauded on concept. This next challenge looks like it’s all conceptual and pertaining to pitching potential Restaurant War ideas, and I think we’ll see Eric succeed there, as his roots for food and concept is so strong.

4. Bryan Voltaggio- Bryan, Bryan, Bryan. He should be winning challenges, he just isn’t. But also, he kept saying how “I”m gonna win the next quick fire.” I feel like this is foreshadowing for one of two things: Bryan is either going to win the next quick fire, or he’s NEVER going to win a quick fire. I think he’ll win one, and if he gets immunity from it, then he’s safe for the week. He’s a Voltaggio and not shining in terms of the overall scope of the season, so I hope this week is his emergence as a true contender.

3. Gregory Gordet- Gregory is slightly behind Melissa and Kevin as the third most likely to make it to finale night. He’s super consistent and this was the first week we heard any sort of negative critique (his dish was a tad too spicy…oh well). He’s still solid, and I don’t see him losing anytime soon.

2. Kevin Gillespie- Kevin and Melissa won…again. Kevin keeps showing why he’s one of the most consistent Top Chef contestants. I never saw his original season, but I get it now. He’ll probably make the finale.

1. Melissa King- Melissa, like Kevin, has just been winning almost everything. She’s improved since her last season, which I think puts her even a step above Kevin. I really like Melissa and think she’s been incredibly strong. She’ll keep it up, and likely also be a person to snag a spot in the finale.

Is anyone aside Melissa, Kevin, or Gregory a contender at this point? Given it’s an All-Star season, the answer is yes. But right now, they have the most momentum. I hope we finally see Bryan win his quick fire, or maybe Stephanie or Lee Anne will take a win somewhere, or Karen makes a mighty vengeance, or Eric makes the pitch of his lifetime. The only person I’m completely counting out of winning right now is Malarkey. Who goes home this week? I am going to say Stephanie, just because the preview was a little doubtful and I don’t think she is coming off the same high that Lee Anne or Malarkey are. Either way, it’ll be exciting to see.

PREDICTIONS:

Going Home- Stephanie Cmar

#casting

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Stats:

1. Melissa (+1)
2. Kevin (+1)
3. Gregory (-2)
4. Bryan (+1)
5. Eric (-1)
6. Lee Anne (+3)
7. Karen —
8. Brian (+2)
9. Stephanie (-1)

Biggest Rise: Lee Anne (+3)
Biggest Drop: Gregory (-2)

Sent by PowerRankings101,Apr 29, 2020

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Top Chef S17 Power Rankings (Top 9)

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