It was down to six chefs last week on "Top Chef: Seattle," and after the big Restaurant War win, Maui’s Sheldon Simeon was a solid contender among them.

The episode had cheftestants intimidated as culinary stars came by to judge. In the Quickfire, that person was master sushi chef Katsuya, who came to assess their sushi making. Stefan Richter won the challenge and $5,000 for a yellowtail with grilled shiitake and mustard greens, and raw lobster served with seaweed and unagi. But the win no longer secures immunity.

The Elimination Challenge centered on fried chicken. Guest judges were David Chang, Michelle Bernstein, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo.

Josh Valentine, who was at a loss making sushi, proceeded confidently with a recipe based on his grandfather’s fried chicken. It included smoking the meat and serving it with hot sauce and blue cheese.

Lizzie Binder, unfamiliar with American-style fried chicken, coated her bird in a ground coriander, brown sugar and black pepper rub, and served it with pickled peach and cabbage slaw.

Simeon offered Umami Drumstick and Thighs, and Wings with Usukuchi (soy sauce with mirin, a sweet rice wine) and Grapeseed Oil.

Those were deemed the top dishes.

Josie Smith-Malave’s chicken was so oily judges couldn’t bear more than a bite. Richter avoided the challenge with Chicken Cordon Bleu. Brooke Williamson deboned breast meat, which offended judges to no end.

The upshot: Valentine won the challenge, plus lots of wine. Smith-Malave was cut.

Last Chance Kitchen: It was payback time for Kristin Kish, who earlier took the fall for Smith-Malave’s shortcomings. The task: break down a salmon and compose a dish. Kish won.

Save a Chef: Chris "CJ" Jacobson, who unseated Kuniko Yagi, faces Smith-Malave. Vote at www.bravotv.com/top-chef.

Tonight at 8 on Bravo (repeats 9:45 and 11 p.m.): On a cruise, the chefs must elevate iceberg lettuce into a winning amuse-bouche. Then it’s on to Surf and Turf.