Executive Chef Martine Christian lost her spot amongst the Top Chef finalists on Tuesday (13 september) after delivering what the judges described as a "weird, doughy" dish in the episode's Indian-inspired elimination challenge.
Here's a recap of events by the show:
Episode 10
With just five cheftestants remaining the stakes for gaining immunity during this week’s Quickfire Challenge were at an all time high. The cheftestants were challenged by the judges to use a local artisanal gin as their inspiration and to create a dish that complimented the flavours of the spirit.
The top two cheftestants were Annemarie Robertson with her take on steak tartare and Ayabonga Gope with a gin-inspired steak and potato dish. But it was Ayabonga’s simplicity and understanding of the flavour combinations that saw him win the Quickfire Challenge and bag immunity.
The Elimination Challenge then had the cheftestants in a spin trying to create an Indian style sharing menu in just two hours. MasterChef SA 2 winner and TV host Kamini Pather, who joined the resident judges as guest judge this week, said she was looking for intricate flavour combinations.
It became evident that as the number of remaining Top Chef SA cheftestants dwindle, self-doubt has begun to creep in for most of the chefs. Sachin Gosai prepared lamb Rogan Josh, rottis and samoosas, while Devin Hogan’s menu included a lamb curry, sour calamari curry and Tandoori chicken.
Martine made a chicken Breyani, Tandoori prawn skewers and garlic naan bread. Ayabonga’s sharing menu included chicken curry, rotis and crumbed prawns and mushrooms, while Annemarie made chicken curry, roasted baby aubergines and coconut dhal.
But none of the chefs impressed the judges and in a surprise move they decided that no one would win the challenge with an overall average performance. It was Ayabonga and Martine that received the harshest criticism; with much of Aya’s menu called ‘an average snack platter’ and Martine’s bread labelled as ‘doughy’ and her pickle termed ‘weird.’
Ultimately it was Martine that was sent packing. While disappointed to be going home, she said that Top Chef was an amazing experience that has taught her endurance and to believe in herself.
With just Ayabonga, Annemarie, Sachin and Devin remaining who should make the final three next week?