‘Most-hated chef’ muzzles his critics

John Tesar made evident on last week’s episode of Bravo’s "Top Chef" why he has the reputation as the "most-hated chef in Dallas" after he commented on Kuniko Yagi’s elimination and drew the wrath of various competitors.

But while no one’s rooting for his success, Tesar proved he can cook when he won the night’s "Quickfire Challenge" that required the chefs to butcher a side of beef and create a dish within an hour. Judges, including special guest and James Beard winner Naomi Pomeroy, were amazed Tesar could deliver such tender oxtail with potato gnocchi in that short time.

The Episode 4 "Elimination Challenge" had contestants replicating the 1950s menu of the famous Seattle restaurant Canlis. Brothers Brian and Mark Canlis were on the judging panel for the round. Besides success in the kitchen, the winner of the challenge won $10,000.

That chef was Kristen Kish, who mastered the simplicity and perfection of fried onion and mushroom side dishes.

Meanwhile, Maui’s Sheldon Simeon stayed out of trouble with his mahimahi dish, which the Canlis brothers loved.

It was double elimination night, and the unfortunate two to pack their knives were Carla Pellegrino for her overcooked squab and Chrissy Camba for an overdressed, underwhelming salad.

Pellegrino and Camba joined the formerly eliminated Yagi and Jeffrey Jew to compete for re-entry into the competition on "Last Chance Kitchen," at www.bravotv.com/top-chef.

In that contest, each had to confront the ingredients that lost them their spot in the "Top Chef" kitchen. In the end, Yagi triumphed with a Lemongrass Cream Potato Chowder, mastering the potato that tripped her up on Episode 3.

Tonight at 8 (repeat at 10) on Bravo: The contestants visit Seattle’s Pike Place Market for "Quickfire" and show their skill using some of the rarest ingredients from the market for the Elimination Challenge.