Noelle Myers recaps Part I of Top Chef New Orleans season Finale!

While most of us are freezing our backsides off, this week’s Top Chef takes us to Maui in Part 1 of the Finale.

Shirley, Nick, and Nina will be joined by the last chance kitchen winner.  The three of them helped the judges choose the winning dish from the final last chance kitchen battle.  The winner is Louis – with a record 8 wins!

For the Quickfire the chef’s must make a dish highlighting one of Hawaii’s favorite ingredients.  Lovingly called “Hawaiian Steak” , SPAM must be the focus of their dish.   Sam Choy – the self proclaimed “SPAM Master” will judge their dishes along with Tom and Padma.   The chefs have 30 minutes to create something creative and unique. The Winner will receive $10,000!

Louis makes a Spam Mousse with Garlic, Chives, Scallions, Snap Peas, Beech Mushrooms and Togarashi.

Nina sticks to island flavors and makes a Breadfruit and Teriyaki Spam Croquette with Sour Orange and Mango Slaw.

Nick decides to “aggressively season” his dish, as he has been called out several times for under seasoning, and he creates a Spam Broth with Pancetta, Seaweed, Dried Shrimp, Clam Juice and Quail Egg.

Shirley makes a Deconstructed Spam Musubi with Spam infused Rice, Nori and Cucumber slaw.

All the dishes were excellent, but Sam Choy thought that Nick used the Spam in a way he had not seen before, and he declares Nick the winner!  It is the first Quickfire win for Nick.

For the Elimination Challenge, the Chefs get a bit of Island Food History!  When the islands were first being populated, the only way certain kinds of food could be brought in was by Canoe…these canoes brought in Pigs, Chickens, and 24 species of Plants and Fruits.   The Chefs must use these “Canoe Crops”  to create their dish for the Elimination Challenge.  If that wasn’t intimidating enough, this will be a Double Elimination.

The Canoe crops contain many interesting ingredients, Taro Root, Fresh Turmeric, Coconuts, Tea Leaves and the like.  The first day the Chefs will have one hour to prep, and the next day they will go to Merriman’s Capilua to finish Prep.

Nerves are running high, Nina grabs the wrong fish and starts prepping it.  It turns out to be Nicks fish, and she must start over.

After the hour of prep time, the Chefs head off to see their new living quarters. It is stunning with gorgeous views.  They also take the time to go into Ioa Valley and do a little sightseeing.

Day two of the Elimination Challenge sees the chefs cooking in an outdoor kitchen.  Tom comes to talk to the chefs, and lets them know that the Winner of today’s challenge will get an advantage going into the finale.  Shortly after Tom leaves, a storm blows in.  Rain comes pouring down for a few minutes, then just as quickly is gone and the sun is out again.

The judges for the Elimination Challenge are Emeril, Peter Merriman, Sam Choy, Gail, Padma and Tom.

Nick serves Opakapaka with Jalapeno and Crispy Chicken Skin.  The judges think it is overall a strong and balanced dish, but the jalapeno was a bit overpowering for some.

Nina makes Grilled Opa with Taro Root and Coconut Puree.  The judges felt it was a bold dish, but a tish too spicy for some guests.

Shirley has a little trouble with the rain, and has to throw out some of her dish.  She makes Maui Honey Glazed Pork Butt with Sweet Potato and Turmeric Puree.  The judges loved the Pork, it was braised beautifully, but the dish was a bit too sweet for most of them.

Louis also made Grilled Opa with a Sweet Potato and Coconut sauce.  The judges were impressed by the gutsy move of grilling the fish, but it was inconsistently cooked through.

The Judging is exceptionally difficult this week.  They have to get picky and find the inconsistencies.

The Judges Call all four into the judges table and discuss the dishes with each chef.  The send them away to discuss.  It is one of the hardest judgings.   When the Chefs are called back, Nick is announced the winner.  He will have an advantage in the Finale.

Louis is asked to pack his Knives and go.  Only one spot left.  Either Shirley or Nina will be in the Finale with Nick.  Shirley is also asked to pack her knives, leaving Nina in the Finale.

Next week promises to be a fantastic finish to Top Chef New Orleans!