Top Chef season 11, episode 8 put the chefs to the test with a 300-pound pig to butcher and prepare, ending in Louis' elimination.

Top Chef Recap

Last night the top 11 chefs were put to the test when they had to butcher and serve a 300-pound pig. First, the contestants start with the Quickfire Challenge: create the perfect hot sauce in 45 minutes. Brian Huskey ended up winning the challenge over front-runner Nina Compton whose sauce was just too hot for guest-judge and Grammy winner, Dr. John. This was Brian’s second win in a row, meaning he hasn’t been faced with elimination in two weeks.

Pig Challenge

Next, it was time for the pig challenge: one 300-pound pig was placed in front of the chefs. The chefs must each make one dish, but the entire pig must be used up in those eleven dishes. In other words, the whole pig must be used. After a bit of chaotic pig-splitting, the chefs went their separate ways and delegated, allowing a few chefs to butcher the pig at a time. Travis Masar, Louis Maldonado and Nick Elmi get to work on the pig while haggling over pig parts. Nick and Nina both want the head and end up splitting it.

After the chefs go shopping, they are treated to a special pig dinner, similar to what they will have to serve, so that they can learn how to cook every aspect of the pig.

The next day, the Top 11 chefs are dropped off in front of outdoor ovens and told to make their dish. They have five hours to prepare before the judges return. Justin Devillier immediately gets to work building a fire, and gets frustrated when other chefs begin to use it. He insists that none of them took the initiative to build a fire of their own, and now they are simply profiting from his labor. Justin’s outburst causes a bit of tension with Nina, but, in the end, both have too many problems to focus on each other. Once Justin begins cooking on his fire, the flames become uncontrollable and burn his pork. Nina, on the other hand, decided to go sweeter for her dish, probably still afraid of whipping up something too hot, but is less than pleased with the results.

Pig's Head A Hit

Shirley Chung’s pork dumplings, inspired by her family’s Chinese New Year dishes, are a big hit with the judges. Not only do they deem the dumplings delicious, but they are also impressed with her ability to incorporate different parts of the pig into her dish. Nina’s braised pig’s head was also a hit – the last minute spices she added to her dish paid off in a big way – as was Carlos’ taco dish. Carlos ended up winning the Elimination challenge with his mother’s taco recipe.

Justin, Stephanie Cmar and Louis ended up in the bottom three. The judges all thought Louis’ pork was perfect, but the dish was too elaborate for the judges and, in the end, Louis was sent packing.

Top Chef airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Bravo.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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