By Buzz Byrne
Six weeks ago I started predicting the ouster of Bonnie. Instead of packing her knives and heading back to the purgatory of Personal Chef/Nanny-dom, she has come on strong and proven herself worthy of being one of the two finalists. Her palate has always been excellent, but lately she has gained a composure and clear mindedness that has helped her rise above the competition. She has earned my respect and it looks like Chef Gordon Ramsay’s as well.
It’s unfortunate she isn’t going to win.
That is the inevitable outcome if the first two seasons are any indication. Both had experienced, strong and uninspiring chefs pitted against wild cards, unlikely finalists. Both times the chef walked away the winner. I don’t believe Chef Ramsay wants a wild card. I believe he wants a loyal sergeant who will follow orders and make the troops do the same. In other words, he wants Rock. Not Bonnie’s palate.
Tonight was the first part of the season finale. Rock and Bonnie had to conceptualize their half of the set/dining room in a style to match their personality and finale menu. Crafty editing showed a clear vision from Bonnie of a European funky bistro with mismatched china and hardwood floors. She seemed to know immediately what she wanted. Rock came off as overwhelmed, confused and misguided- especially when he suggested to Jean-Phillipe that the waitstaff wear jeans. JP curdled his cream at the very notion. Rock’s vision is a boring black and white china pattern and above all else uniformity. This is a set up to make us think Bonnie has the momentum and a real shot at winning.
It ain’t happening.
Reason number two is the reward challenge. In the midst of their dining room make-over, Chef Ramsay whisked them both off to Las Vegas to check out their potential new digs and prepare their signature dish for seven Vegas food celebs.
Bonnie made a fettuccini with lobster and shrimp. Rock prepared his Fried Chicken and Crab cakes. Chefs from Caesar’s Palace and the Michael Mina group along with Robin Leach chose Bonnie’s pasta. HELL’S KITCHEN season one and season two winners, as well as the head chef from the MGM Grand liked Rock’s dish. Tied three to three, the tie breaking vote came down to the head chef and the General Manager of the Green Valley Resort and Casino. They went with Bonnie.
Maybe you would think that bodes well as they are the future bosses. But the last two challenge winners (Julia and Jen) have ended up packing their bags after their win. Again, I think handing the win to Bonnie was a bit of TV stage craft to amp up the excitement. Not that it needs it, mind you, as the deep voiced announcer promised next week’s part two of the season finale to be, “The most exciting ever!”
The reward for winning was picking first to stock your team from the last six eliminees. The teams split down gender lines again but my favorite of the season, Julia (second favorite if I include the lovable dunce Aaron), is not taking defeat well. Despite the star treatment and blessings from the hand of Ramsay, she still believes she should be a finalist and admitted that she is rooting more for Rock despite being on Bonnie’s team. This is all too bad and she should know this is souring her appeal. And rather than get a nice clear look at how the competition runs next week we will instead be treated to the back biting. Oh well.
I’ll still be rooting for Bonnie but I know Rock will win.