The culinary competition on M6 continues to heat up as Top Chef season 16 progresses. In the fifth episode aired on April 23, 2025, six contestants faced off in a high-stakes battle judged by Michelin Guide inspectors. The evening was marked by intense pressure, as the chefs aimed for a coveted "coup de cœur" from the esteemed culinary experts, while one contestant was ultimately sent home.
In this episode, Margaux, Charlie, Philippine, Claudio, Quentin, and Sean showcased their skills in two challenging rounds. The first task, overseen by Chef Jérôme Banctel, required the contestants to execute an instant cooking technique. Margaux impressed the judges with her innovative approach, cooking clams using hot sand, which secured her the first "coup de cœur" of the night.
The second challenge focused on creating a dish centered around a single vegetable, a task that pushed the contestants' creativity to the limit. Margaux once again excelled, this time with a dish featuring beets, further solidifying her status as the standout chef of the evening.
However, the stakes were high, and not everyone fared as well. Philippine faced significant challenges during her turn in the kitchen. Overwhelmed by the pressure, she accidentally spilled her maple syrup preparation, which boiled over and created a chaotic scene. Despite her efforts to recover, the judges found her technique lacking, resulting in her receiving the dreaded black envelope, a sign of impending elimination.
As the episode progressed, Philippine found herself in an elimination challenge alongside Charles, Grégoire, Steven, and Esteban, all of whom had not performed well enough to secure a place in the main competition. The pressure mounted as they prepared dishes featuring red fruits, hoping to impress the judges and avoid being sent home.
Ultimately, it was Steven who faced elimination after a blind tasting. His dish, while praised for its balance and seasoning by judge Hélène Darroze, failed to resonate with the other inspectors, leading to his departure from the competition. In a heartfelt moment, Steven reflected on his experience, stating, "I feel immense pride in having crossed knives with these people. I learned from martial arts that defeats are also victories because you leave with many memories." He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and left the competition with no regrets.
However, in the world of Top Chef, a departure is not always the end. Steven was given a second chance through the hidden brigade, where he faced off against Kilian and Ilane in a challenge centered around creating a paupiette. Despite the setback of a hand injury requiring nine stitches, Steven remained determined. He crafted a complex dish featuring cod wrapped in nori, but once again, it was not enough to secure his place in the competition as the judges chose to continue with Ilane and Kilian.
As the episode concluded, it was clear that the competition is fierce, and the remaining chefs must continue to push their limits to survive in this culinary arena. The stakes are higher than ever, with the winner of this season not only gaining the title but also the opportunity to open a pop-up restaurant and earn a Michelin star.
With the tension palpable and emotions running high, viewers are left eagerly anticipating the next episode. Who will rise to the challenge, and who will falter under the pressure? The culinary journey continues every Wednesday night on M6, where each episode brings new surprises and challenges for the contestants.
