She was awesome as exec chef! She really rode them all very hard and kept them on task and on schedule, like she was supposed to.

I was a little worried that she didn't actually make anything, but she had immunity, so. I was a little surprised that she didn't try to steer Preeti and Laurine away from the pasta salad, but hey, it is a competition.

I have to say that I was highly amused, and impressed, by Ash's ability to turn the failed attempt to make sweet potato ice cream into "chilled custard" and get himself into the top three of the quickfire! Very smooth move.

And why do they keep super-sizing and not saying so?

I am told that next week is also super-sized.

I have to say that I was highly amused, and impressed, by Ash's ability to turn the failed attempt to make sweet potato ice cream into "chilled custard" and get himself into the top three of the quickfire! Very smooth move.

I really liked that he both was able to cover AND thought it was hilarious when it worked. An excellent combo.

Yeah, that was great. I loved Ash's collapsing in giggles behind the judging. But he was right to do so. There have been many a contestant sunk by naming a product something it wasn't. And that wasn't ice cream. As a custard, evidently it tasted good, and that's all that matters.

Jen was the best exec chef I'd seen on this show. It's funny to me too, because I thought that there was a fight from the previews, but it was just her cutting down on the kitchen chatter. I told Dave that I wasn't in love with her personality, but then all the things she'd said had to do with proving her skill, and clearly she has skill.

Misogynist Mike needs to go. I loved, loved that he got the double-take takedown.

Oh, and I missed the SYTYCD! This is what I get for not checking in at the b.org every day.

I don't even know what I was doing yesterday. Anyway, must set the Tivo back up before I miss the new season.

Jen is clearly a badass, which I appreciate in a woman. I mean, I appreciate it in a man, too, but you see it less in the women on TC.

Yeah, and I think that Jen's badassery will stand her in good stead later on. She's clearly used to pressure. Hope she continues to bring it.

I suspect Eric Ripert would never hire a less than very competent exec chef.

Seriously -- and I was once again offended on her behalf when whoever it was was surprised at how good she was in that role. She has that job in Eric Ripert's kitchen! You think that's an accident?!?

A review of the AI tour stop in Chicago. Not a big surprise to read that Adam steals the show.