On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the culinary competition show Top Chef aired its fifth episode, showcasing the remaining six contestants as they faced the daunting challenge of impressing Michelin Guide inspectors. The episode followed the recent elimination of Noémie, leaving Sean, Claudio, Quentin, Charlie, Philippine, and Margaux to battle for their culinary futures.
The first challenge, orchestrated by renowned Chef Jérôme Banctel, required contestants to create a dish using instant cooking techniques. The pressure was palpable as the Michelin inspectors observed from behind a one-way mirror, judging each dish without revealing their identities. This setup added an extra layer of intensity, as the contestants knew they were under the scrutiny of some of the most respected palates in the culinary world.
Margaux, who had rejoined the competition following Noémie's departure, made a significant impression with her dish of flambéed mussels prepared using pine needles. The inspectors were blown away by her creativity, with one declaring it "a killer" dish. Her performance moved her brigade leader, Stéphanie Le Quellec, to tears, as she expressed her pride in Margaux's ability to master such a technical and risky cooking method.
Sean, on the other hand, took an unconventional approach by using a microwave to prepare his dish, which raised eyebrows among the judges. "It's an incredibly interesting tool," he asserted confidently, although Chef Banctel was skeptical, questioning whether Sean understood the gravity of cooking for Michelin inspectors. Despite the initial doubts, Sean's audacity paid off when he later won the second challenge with his dish titled "Lettuce Power 3," which was praised for its innovative use of the vegetable.
In the second challenge, contestants were tasked with enhancing a single ingredient, a concept inspired by Italian Chef Niko Romito's minimalist culinary philosophy. Each chef had to showcase their ability to elevate a simple vegetable into a high-end dish. Charlie, who was initially reluctant, ended up preparing zucchini with saffron, while Claudio opted for Tandoori cauliflower. Margaux chose beets, and Quentin created a leek taco infused with red wine and cocoa. Philippine attempted to combine eggplant with sugar and cocoa, but her dish fell short of expectations.
Ultimately, Sean's "Lettuce Power 3" emerged victorious, earning him accolades from the judges. Margaux also received high praise, winning the inspectors' choice for her mussel dish. However, Philippine faced the unfortunate fate of being designated as the least convincing contestant, leading her to the elimination challenge alongside Charles, Steven, Grégoire, and Esteban.
In the elimination challenge, Philippine expressed her fears about competing against such strong contenders. After a blind tasting, it was Steven who was eliminated from the main competition. He was then integrated into the Hidden Brigades, a twist in the competition that offered him a second chance to prove himself.
In the Hidden Brigades, Steven faced Kilian and Ilane in a challenge centered around paupiette, where all contestants opted to use fish. Despite his efforts, Steven was unable to secure a win, and chefs Éric Fréchon and Fabien Ferré ultimately decided to eliminate him from the competition entirely.
Reflecting on his experience, Steven shared his thoughts with Télé-Loisirs, expressing no regrets about his journey. He described the opportunity to work under Chef Darroze as a significant honor, stating, "I was already very proud to join a brigade, especially with Chef Darroze. She's not just anyone in the industry!" He emphasized the importance of being true to oneself in the kitchen, stating, "The most important thing is to keep moving forward, to not get stuck on any one step."
As the competition heats up, the remaining contestants are left to navigate their culinary paths, each vying for the chance to be named the next top chef. With the stakes higher than ever, viewers are left eager to see who will rise to the occasion and who will falter in the face of culinary excellence.
