By Buzz Byrne

This week in the kitchen: Creativity is finally becoming a component of the competition, and we learn that Jen has been lying about her professional experience — proving this handicapper right that some contestant hiding in the bushes is going to take this thing.

Jen has emerged as a strong leader in the kitchen and has the experience (The Ritz, Morimoto’s in Philadelphia … yeah, that’s impressive) to handle the top prize. I’m not buying what Rock is selling, and Brad had his worst service this episode. Jen, this is your game to lose.
 
Last week, Melissa got a temporary stay of execution and was sent from the Red team to the Blue. This was not fully unexpected, as something had to even up the numbers once our poor, sweet Aaron was forcibly retired from HELL’S KITCHEN. Ah, Aaron … I promised myself I would move on, but just the mention of your name and all I can think of is the amount of food that was served between your banishment and now; how unfair it is you never got the chance to perspire on any of it. I just know you are dripping on some entrée somewhere, and I don’t get to watch it on TV.
 
Melissa was not missed by the women. Bonnie called a team meeting in her room and made sure to direct a “Not you, Bitch,” to Melissa. Yes, Bonnie of the easy tears and wobbly bladder was talking smack. Rock chuckled. Rock chuckled a lot. Bonnie had some skills tonight to back up the words, though. For the reward challenge, each team had to create and prepare three dishes using lobster in under an hour. Bonnie’s grilled lobster and apple salad was such a hit with Chef Ramsay that he put it on the dinner menu. Bonnie did cry when killing the lobsters. No word on if she peed herself as well.
 
The Red team won the challenge and got to be in a photo shoot with Chef Ramsay for In Touch Weekly magazine. The Blue team was on recycling duty. Rock didn’t like that. Rock didn’t like that at all. ROCK HATES RECYCLING!! He had a decent meltdown about it all. Usually, these are great fun, but this was disappointing, mostly because the previews hinted that one contestant MAY actually assault Chef Ramsay. This was just creative editing of Rock’s teammates’ reactions to his conniption. What a hype-fueled letdown.
 
During dinner service, the Red team was hitting on all cylinders. Chef Ramsay was impressed enough to say, “That’s communication. Now shut the (bleep) up!” They all said, “Yes, Chef.” Then, Bonnie nearly burned down the kitchen with a pan fire. Other than that, the Red team went on to an almost seamless win. For the Blue team, Melissa overcooked the monkfish, Josh made papier-mâché paste out of mashed potatoes, and Brad made risotto that no one ordered.
 
For a few moments there was the threat of a double elimination, but Ramsay was just lobbing a warning shot at Brad. I still say he might be Jen’s chief competition, but, who knows, maybe Rock is for real. If that is the case, Buzz is sorry. Buzz is very sorry. Next week might finally be the end for Julia, or, if we are lucky, there might be a puddle on the floor where one contestant used to be.