Well, the chefs were back last night and trying to get their game on, unsuccessfully for some.

Last night kicked off back at the apartment with fan fave Fabio cooking a hearty breakfast of Spam, pork and beans -- "The breakfast of champions," he beamed! Yes, folks, a Top Chef contestant actually enjoys SPAM! I see an commercial endorsement up ahead for Fabio.

On to the Quick Fire Challenge, or should I say the Diet Dr. Pepper Quick Fire Challenge: The cheftestants were tasked by the luscious Padma and guest judge Jean-Christophe Novelli (don't ask me, never heard of him, but apparently he's a big deal, the players were impressed) to create the Ultimate Sweet Treat in 45 minutes without using any sugar!

Jeff created a spring roll baklava with frozen yogurt; Jaime made a Napoleon; Hosea did roasted green figs and peaches (which weren't a hit for Fabio); Carla did another baklava w/bananas; Rhadika made a tasty bread pudding; Eugene made some kind of bilinis w/bananas; Ariane did healthy whole wheat crepes w/ pears and almonds; Fabio made a granola-oat tart (??); Melissa opted for a yogurt-stuffed burrito; Leah made crepes and Stefan created a cherry/chocolate mousse.

Novella didn't like Carla's, Ariane's or Jaime's, landing them in the bottom 3. Tops went to Rhadika, Leah and Jeff. Rhadika was chosen winner and received immunity in the Elimination Challenge.

Chefs were given the night off to relax before tomorrow's DOUBLE Elimination Challenge.

Hottie-bear Chef Tom Colicchio arrived bright and early at the apartment to hand out the challenge. They were tasked to create a Family-Style Meal for a Blind Tasting (meaning they wouldn't know who the other judges were). Everyone was given the chance to cook whatever they wanted -- a signature dish, if you will.

Players were split into two groups, with different cooking times, so as not to overlap at the tasting. By drawing knives, they were divided into Team A: Melissa, Hosea, Fabio, Eugene and Jaime; and Team B: Ariane, Stefan, Jeff, Melissa and Carla.

Because she had won the Quick Fire, Rhadika got to choose which team she wanted to be on. She chose Team A to get away from Stefan!

Each player got $100 to shop for ingredients to make enough for 12 diners.

All were told that in addition to Novelli as a guest judge, Tom and Padma would be joined by Gail's replacement, notorious British food critic Toby Young (again, never heard of him, but after last night, I think he'll make his mark here).

The catch: Each team got to be the blind tasters for the other team. The team serving got to watch the tasting team's reactions to their entrees.

Rhadika decided to make a spicy cod bisque, which she boasted was a big hit at her restaurant, and crab salad. It came out bland.

Fabio decided on an old family recipe for ravioli, mushroom sauce and lamb, cooked in sealed plastic in boiling water. The lamb didn't cook enough.

Jaime went for scallops -- again, which bothered Fabio immensely, leading him to the best line of the night -- "For Christ's sake, it's called Top Chef, not Top Scallops!" Fabio, we luv you man!!

Eugene made Red Snapper with daikon fettucine, which was just about a disaster with the judges.

Melissa made tuna tacos. Tacos?? on Top Chef? -- again, judges weren't impressed.

Over on Team B:

Stefan made a traditional dish of red cabbage and duck, which went over well.

Jeff opted for Tapas (3 small servings of appetizers). Judges thought there was too much happening, although snarky Brit Young thought it was the most interesting dish served. He actually likened it to Tom Cruise's cameo in Tropic Thunder, the unexpected stand-out of the whole movie.

Carla wanted to make a vegetarian pea risotto, but decided to add some protein in the form of scallops. Bad move -- her dish would've faired better with just the risotto, which Tom called an entree, not a garnish!

Ariane made pan-seared skate (a form of fish), which Novelli called "fabulous!"

And Leah made fried fish over bread. The American judges weren't impressed, however, Young appreciated it greatly (he's British, remember, fish & chips anyone?)


Just a little eye candy -- Tom & Padma

At Judges Table, Stefan, Jaime and Ariane were called out first and to their relief, the judges thought their dishes were the best. Jaime finally won a challenge over Ariane, making her very happy indeed!

Melissa, Eugene and Carla were the bottom three. And for the first time this season, judges had to decide which one to keep and rid the show of the other two.

Tom cited Melissa's Tuna Tacos as a "failure of imagination." While Young disagreed with their "unpleasant smell."

Eugene had the most visual dish of the three, but the fish was "overcooked," as well as having too mild flavor and lacking punch.

Carla, desparately trying to save herself, declared that, "if you take the scallops off my dish, it would be perfect."

In the end, Melissa and Eugene were told to pack their knives and go and Carla got the reprieve.

Coming up next week: The Return of Hung!!