The road to sweet redemption for the newly eliminated Top Chef Season 23 cheftestants runs directly through Last Chance Kitchen.
Kicking off after Top Chef‘s fourth episode, the Tom Colicchio-hosted companion series gives the departing contestants one last opportunity to re-renter the main competition, even after they’re instructed to pack their knives and go.
“This is where eliminated chefs cook off to return to the competition,” Tom explained at the top of the LCK premiere on March 30. “This time around, I’m turning up the heat, offering only one chef a second shot.”
RELATED:Â Last Chance Kitchen Trailer for Top Chef Season 23 Teases a Twist That Raises the Stakes
As Top Chef‘s head judge added, “It’s a season of head-to-head, winner-takes-all battles. Win and you’re in; lose, and your journey is over for good.”
Read on for a weekly recap of which LCK cheftestant was eliminated and who moved on to keep their dream of winning the Top Chef title alive.
Who competed in Last Chance Kitchen Episode 1 for Top Chef Season 23?
As Tom recapped for viewers, Brittany exited the main Top Chef competition after simply getting “stuck in the mud” amid the cooking challenges, while Nana “had a problem getting food on the plate on time.”
“This is a big wakeup call,” said Brittany, who is an executive chef at Stagioni in Charlotte, N.C. “Tom looked me in my eyes and he said, ‘I’ve been to your restaurant. I know you know how to cook.’ So, Last Chance Kitchen, it’s an opportunity to redeem myself. I feel like I got that kick in my ass to, like, wake up and fight.”
Love That I Knead Supper Club chef and curator Nana, for her part, added, “I just flustered myself. In the competition, just, like, overthinking and all the noise and the chatter around you can get you second-guessing about yourself. I’m ready to get back in here. I’m ready for war. Like, let’s go.”Â
Who won Last Chance Kitchen Episode 1 for Top Chef Season 23?
Tom challenged Brittany and Nana to “go back to basics,” giving them 30 minutes to prepare a dish that was reflective of exactly who they are as chefs. In the end, Nana advanced to next round of the LCK competition, and Brittany was eliminated.
Brittany had presented a dish of pan-seared halibut with grilled corn and tomato panzanella to go up against Nana’s pan-seared salmon with tomato salad and curry sauce.
RELATED:Â Watch the Top Chef Season 23 Cheftestants’ Casting Tapes (VIDEO)
While judging their dishes, Tom praised both women’s “nicely cooked” fish but decided that the Nana’s meal had simply packed “a bit more flavor,” giving her the edge.
“This has been an unbelievable experience,” Brittany told a producer, following her LCK elimination. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve learned that I need to be proud of myself. I’m excited to continue being a great chef here in Charlotte and keep moving forward.”
While celebrating her Episode 1 win, Nana remarked, “I finally was able to put everything together in my head and execute this dish and learn from my mistakes. This is the Nana that I want Tom to see, what he should’ve seen from Day 1. …Â One down. I got this.”
As the LCK competition continues, find out everything you need to know about Top Chef Season 23.
