Paddy Khuele, a chef from the trendy Vilikazi Street in Soweto, became the third cheftestant to be eliminated from Top Chef SA on Tuesday night (26 July).
Here's a recap of how things unfolded:
Episode 3
Paddy, who has worn his heart on the sleeve throughout the competition, admitted to being ‘shattered’ when his failed crème brûlée in the first team Elimination Challenge saw him have to pack his knives and leave.
In this week’s Quickfire Challenge the 12 cheftestants raced to make a Top Chef worthy dish from just leftovers. The winner was Linda Mazibuko with her avocado roulade. She was delighted at gaining a major advantage of selecting her three team mates for the first team challenge of the series.
She handpicked her team; previous challenge winner Annemarie Robertson, Executive Chef Martine Christian and her real-life business partner Lebogang Mpuang. The all girl group also got to choose their core protein ingredients first.
Team dynamics and personalities came under the spotlight as each team of four cheftestants had to work together to prepare a four course meal in three hours during the Elimination Challenge.
Guest Judge, TV presenter Sinazo Yolwa, told the cheftestants she was looking for a four course menu that had cohesion and flowed well. She joined the resident judges in deciding this week’s winners and losers.
Ultimately the winning team was Themba Bawuti team, with all the cheftestants working well to devise a menu together and each of them offering their fellow chef’s advise.
It was Head Chef and Owner at SMAK Delicatessen and Restaurant in Cape Town, Devin Hogan who was crowned the overall Elimination Challenge winner. His fillet dish which included a smoked broccoli and parmesan puree and deep fried kale was a hit all round.
Ayanbonga Gope’s team were the bottom four up for elimination, but it was Paddy’s controversial decision to set his crème brûlée in the fridge rather than in the oven that cost him his spot in the competition.