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Post by MFWalkoff on Jun 5, 2020 1:59:43 GMT
Lucca - The final five travel to Italy. First the chefs must make an Aperitivo for 30 locals from the town of Lucca that pairs perfectly with a Peroni beer. Then, they must use in a dish for a Tuscan food festival.
Enjoy the show!
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Post by Kao on Jun 5, 2020 6:27:31 GMT
Really sad over who went home.
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Post by beerbelly on Jun 5, 2020 11:38:58 GMT
Me too! I was so worried for Stephanie's radicchio and it looked like they were editing for her exit.
Le sigh, isn't Italy beautiful? I need to go back! And I could totally hang out with Chef Tasty!
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Post by sunnydayz on Jun 6, 2020 3:47:01 GMT
Sad to see this elimination. I’d be happy with any of the final five (now four) winning, so it’s tough to see one of them eliminated.
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Post by Arielflies on Jun 6, 2020 13:03:18 GMT
At least Gregory will be able to relax (and hopefully heal) his back muscles and enjoy Tuscany before helping someone else win.
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Post by provenceguy on Jun 6, 2020 20:15:01 GMT
I'm so glad that Stephanie made it through. She is such a lovely soul, and I love her excitement at being in Italy. I think it will be down to Voltaggio and Melissa for the win, though.
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Post by silver18 on Jun 7, 2020 4:22:02 GMT
Still rooting for Bryan. I thought he would win tonight. I think though that Kevin and Melissa have more wins though inalsomthinkmthey have been in the bottom more than Bryan??
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Post by Arielflies on Jun 11, 2020 1:36:37 GMT
Message from Gregory:
Bravo's Top Chef Season 17 finale in Italy did not get off to a great start for Gregory Gourdet.
Going into the first Quickfire Challenge in Tuscany, Gregory revealed that he had thrown his back out during the culinary competition. "It takes a lot out of you, and I'm really hoping my back doesn't bother me through these finals," Gregory said in an interview during the June 4 episode of Top Chef.
But Gregory didn't give up and pushed through the pain to serve up a dish fit for happy hour during the Quickfire and a dish featuring white truffles for a Tuscan food festival for the elimination challenge. Unfortunately, the judges didn't feel that the white truffles worked in Gregory's stew, and he was sent to pack his knives and go.
Gregory opened up more about his back injury and his Top Chef elimination in a post on Instagram on June 6, revealing that "there was a lot of drama off camera" and that he has had issues with his back for a decade. "10 years ago I had my first back issue, threw it in the walk in and had to stay in bed for a day," Gregory shared. "Over the years it came and went, only thing that helped was constant exercise, yoga, acupuncture."
Unfortunately, Gregory's back started acting up again just as he and his fellow Top Chef Season 17 finalists (Stephanie Cmar, Kevin Gillespie, Melissa King, and Bryan Voltaggio) got ready to head to Italy. "Hours before we got on the plane for the Top Chef finals in Italy I had a debilitating spasm that had me limping and pushing through. I had another one halfway into the first quickfire in Lucca two days later," he wrote. "The next 24 hours was a rotation of medics, doctors and chiropractors giving me shots in my butt, adjustments and pain meds so I could just make it through the truffle challenge. I could barely walk during the truffle hunt and the grocery shop."
Gregory explained his thought process behind cooking that stew for the elimination challenge. "I chose to make the dish I did because I knew I could make it injured. I crossed my fingers it would work but alas it was the wrong dish for the challenge and not executed great," he said. "As you saw there are serious rules with how to respectfully use this cherished ingredient. I blew it by blowing out the delicate white truffle. I was then in bed for 3 days after my elimination unable to move then finally flew home."
Gregory showed his gratitude for all of the support throughout his Top Chef journey. "A huge thank you to everyone that tuned in and rooted for me. I only hope I was able to bring you an hour of entertainment during these historic times," he shared. "Things in society have gotten far more serious so this is a perfect time to transition into focusing on more critical things."
But all in all, Gregory is proud of his performance during Top Chef Season 17, especially how he represented his Haitian heritage. "I made some mistakes, one sent me home before the finale but I can honestly say I gave 100% each day, got to show America Haitian food," Gregory said. "I have zero regrets."
Gregory concluded his note with an inspiring message. "Remember everything you need in life is already inside of you," he said. "Please keep up the fight everyone. Much love."
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Post by beerbelly on Jun 11, 2020 13:16:17 GMT
Ugh. I feel for Gregory. I had a feeling that his back was worse than what they showed. I really wish him the best.
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Post by Kao on Jun 11, 2020 18:17:36 GMT
Where is Gregory's restaurant at? If it's in NY I would love to visit and support him.
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