Top Chef (season 5) - Episodes - Episode 9: Restaurant Wars

Episode 9: Restaurant Wars

• Quickfire Challenge: The chefs arrive in the Top Chef Kitchen to see Padma standing with successful restaurateur Stephen Starr. She and Stephen explain that part of opening a restaurant is to do a tasting for prospective investors. Therefore, their Quickfire is to do a tasting for Stephen. The chefs then have 30 minutes and complete access to the Top Chef pantry to create one dish that showcases their concept for a potential restaurant. The top two chefs do not receive immunity, but, instead, will be team leaders in the next Elimination Challenge, and will also get to choose their respective teams.
  • Top: Leah, Radhika
  • Bottom: Fabio, Jeff
    • WINNERS: Radhika (Sambar Crusted Butterfish with Sautéed Spinach, Corn, Chorizo and Saffron Beurre Blanc) and Leah (Tempura Fried Poussin with Dashi Soy Sauce)
    • From this point on, the winner(s) of the Quickfire Challenge will not receive immunity.
• Elimination Challenge: For Restaurant Wars, the chefs, split into teams, have 24 hours to create a restaurant and open it for one night. Each team is given $5,000 to shop at Pier 1 Imports for decor, and $3,000 to spend on food at Whole Foods Market and Restaurant Depot, a restaurant provision warehouse. They have 6 hours to prep for the dinner service on location at Bridgewater’s Restaurant, where they would later be serving 60 diners over a period of 5 hours. Radhika and Leah, as the Quickfire winners, get to choose and lead their teams.
  • Sahana: (Radhika, Carla, Jamie, and Jeff)
    • Starter: Whole Wheat Naan Bread with Garlic Oil
    • First Course: Curried Carrot Soup with Raita and Smoked Paprika Oil or Seared Scallop with Chickpea Cake, Masala Tomato Sauce and Arugula Salad
    • Second Course: Cinnamon and Saffron Braised Lamb Shank with Israeli Couscous and Olives or Seared Red Snapper with White Lentil Tabouli, Tomato Water and Pea Shoots
    • Third Course: Spiced Chocolate Cake with Crème Fromage and Cashew Brittle or Baklava Cigars with Fig and Minted Frozen Yogurts
  • Sunset Lounge: (Leah, Fabio, Hosea and Stefan)
    • Amuse Bouche: Egg Roll with Vegetables & Sweet Chili Sauce
    • First Course: Coconut Red Curry Bisque with Shrimp Dumplings or Tuna and Salmon Sashimi with Radish Salad and Yuzu Vinaigrette
    • Second Course: Hoisin Braised Short Ribs with Ginger and Vegetables or Seared Black Cod with Chinese Cabbage and Lime Chili Sauce
    • Third Course: Ginger and Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Peaches and Ginger Honey or Orange Chocolate Rice Parfait with Grapefruit Jelly and Pineapple
    • Palate Cleanser: Frozen Mango Lollipops with Dark Chocolate and Mint
  • At Judges' Table, Team Sunset Lounge was selected as the judges' favorite team.
  • At Judges' Table, Team Sahana was selected as the judges' least favorite team.
    • WINNER: Stefan
    • ELIMINATED: Radhika
• Elimination Challenge Prize: A new suite of GE Monogram appliances.
• Guest Judge: Stephen Starr
• Original Airdate: January 21, 2009