"Top Chef: Chicago" Episode 6: Let me see ya grill (sponsored by Weber)

After all of the chair kicking and yelling at the end of Episode 5, this week’s episode seemed anticlimactic. Even the highly teased Jacuzzi scene didn’t deliver on its promise of drunken debauchery.

In case you missed the show, there are really only three things you need to know:

1. Ryan’s off, and he’s taking his long-winded soliloquies and third-person references to himself with him.

2. Stephanie made the top three yet again. We’re not sure on this, but is it possible that just six episodes into the season, she’s the winningest “Top Chef” contestant ever? Her tailgate dish looked good (must've been that Weber grill), but that wasn’t the one that really won us over. That would’ve been her steamed mussels with cilantro vinaigrette, orange wedges and grilled bread, which she paired with Hoegaarden in the Quickfire Challenge. OK, so pairing fresh coriander (cilantro) and oranges with a Belgian wit isn’t exactly a stroke of genius—but she was smart enough to pluck a decent beer from a sea of mediocre of Michelob products and then deftly play to its profile. We can’t be sure, but we even thought we saw guest judge Koren Grieveson (Avec) crack a smile.

3. Chicago gets some serious airtime. First, one of Chicago’s two recently crowned F&W Best New Chefs (Grieveson) shows up to judge the Quickfire. Then we learn that the chefs are headed to Soldier Field to cook at a Bears tailgate. (In case it slipped past you, they're using Weber grills. And conveniently, this is also another opportunity to transport food using Glad products!) Then we get to the tailgate and meet some all-time Bears greats, including Gale Sayers and William “The Fridge” Perry. Just when we think it can’t get any better, Paul Kahan (Avec, Blackbird) shows up to judge. Is this heaven? No, but it is Chicago.

Other takeaways:

Unintentionally hilarious moment of the night: Lisa’s reaction to Dale’s assertion that she’s negative. “Dale can go f*** himself as far as I’m concerned.” Nope, she’s not negative at all.

Favorite kitchen shot: Lisa “beating her meat.” (Her words, not ours.)

Best payback: Jenn wins the Quickfire. Take that, Spike.

Best reason to like a dish: Fridge liked it. We’re not big Lisa boosters, but when a 300-pound man talks, we listen.

Most entertaining fashion shakeup: The judges don Bears gear. Padma looks awfully cute in her Bears jersey and hoodie. Tom looks like he’s dressed for a bit part in the’87 Bears “Superbowl Shuffle” video rather than a 2007 tailgate. Gail looks fine, but she’s uncharacteristically giddy. Is it the effect of being outside in the fresh Midwestern air, or did she finish off the leftovers from the Quickfire when we weren’t looking?

Best headgear: For once, this honor does not go to Spike. It goes to Andrew, who wears an NFL helmet straight through service. Actually, we’re thinking it might not be a bad idea for Andrew to keep the helmet on for the rest of the season, just for safety reasons. He’s back to twitching and darting about nervously this week, and we’re increasingly concerned that he’s going to hit his head on something.

Next off: Nikki. Her number should’ve been up three weeks ago. Care to differ? We'd love to hear what you think.