Usually, the overall M.O. of David is this: He does craptastic at team challenges, terrifical at individual ones. He almost stuck with that M.O. this time around, but it was the garlic that threw him for a loop.
At Hatfield’s, he was flubbing up … admittedly. He said he was a bundle of nerves, claimed he was over his head, he even put a plastic squeeze bottle on a hot stove with calculated results on what would happen to the bottle.
Switch to the Pressure Test and Elimination: He was measured, confident and ready to rock ‘n’ roll. His rare steak lost by a hair and his medium rare steak garnered a win on seasoning alone. On the well done side, it appeared both steaks from he and Josh were equally cooked (neither of them being well done), but it was his aggressive, over-garlickiness on that final filet the point that lost him the challenge and an invitation out the door. Had there been no pink in his steak, he would have walked away with it leaving Josh in his dust, regardless of the fact his was over-seasoned. And that’s a fact, Jack.
I’m going to miss the guy on several levels. He came up with some killer concoctions, his Spot Prawn Ceviche being one of them. He had a few others that were out-of-the-park fantastic, too. What I won’t miss is some of his attitude and the finger pointing when things didn’t go his way.
He’s left, but he received a kickin’ consolation prize: A job waiting for him in one of Graham Elliot’s joints in Chicago. That’s nothing to sneeze at for this southside poor boy.
Notes:
I wasn’t surprised at Frank taking the pass (it’s a smart move) but I was surprised at Josh being so “RAH!!” about it. C’mon bro, you would have done the same. Anyways, I don’t see Josh taking Frank down, and I agree, this will be the first time a guy wins US MasterChef, via Frank.
The first time Frank was asked the question, it was communicated as a hypothetical. He said Josh at that point because he was being 100% honest. When the question was put forth in reality, he kicked into “survival mode” and saved himself, as I’m certain every one of the remaining contestants would have done.
In hindsight it was a very smart decision, as that challenge took more luck than talent to win. As GR stated, even the most seasoned chefs have difficulty with well done meat.
*POST AUTHOR*
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“The first time Frank was asked the question, it was communicated as a hypothetical. He said Josh at that point because he was being 100% honest.”
I beg to differ, bobC. If David was being “100% honest” – hypothetical or otherwise – he would have followed through on his response.
That would have been 100% honesty.
I don’t blame Frank in the least for choosing the way he chose. I stand by my second bullet point above.