One of the reasons I love this show is that I learn so much.  I don’t know that I can use it in real life, but some things are fun to know.

For example, apparently a dish of anchovies and quinoa that looks nasty, sounds nasty, and would never appeal to me is quite tasty.  Who knew?

Yuzu is a word.  And an actual thing. So is blini.  And don’t pronounce in Buh-Lini, for then you will show your culinary ignorance to the world.  I now know these things, and I will NEVER make the mistake of precooking my blinis.  I always wondered why mine never turned out. 

I DID know that Eucalyptus is inedible and fatal, but I didn’t know that it was OK in very small doses. Still, I’m staying away from that one.  Fah-REAKY!

How awesome was that quickfire?  5 ingredients.  Score.  So fun to watch.

And while it would have been fun to watch them all try to make vulture edible, the elimination challenge was fun, too.  Catering always messes with the contestants minds.  It’s a very different skill than serving in a restaurant, (I say confidently, having done neither one) and it’s fun to see what they come up with.  Apparently, catering makes contestants come up with food that looks like poo.  It’s happened before, it happened here, and I’m fairly sure it’ll happen again.

And who thinks blueberries and mushrooms were a good idea? Anyone?

I think Dale is Hung from last season, but his name is Dale, so it reminds me of Dale from last season, and if Top Chef is going to cast people with the same name but different personalities, it’s just going to get confusing.

Predictions: Too early yet, but I think Stephanie and Dale are in it for a while.

Next to go:  Mushroom girl, aka Nikki.