Ep 1. Catch Me Up... Quick!

In the first episode of season 7 of Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen, titled "Catch Me Up...Quick!", former contestants return for a shot at redemption and a chance to earn their place back in the competition. Host Tom Colicchio welcomes six chefs who previously competed in Top Chef: Portland, each hoping to prove that they have what it takes to win it all.

The returning chefs have a quickfire challenge in which they must create a dish using only 10 ingredients, selected at random from a pantry stocked with over 100 items. Complicating matters is the fact that they cannot use salt, pepper, or olive oil, three staples in many dishes. The chefs race against the clock to create their dishes, with varying degrees of success.

The winner of the quickfire challenge gets a huge advantage in the elimination challenge: they get to choose one of the three available proteins to cook with, while the other chefs are assign one randomly. The chefs must create a dish that showcases the protein they are given, but they also must incorporate a secret ingredient that is revealed only after they have started cooking. The ingredient is a South American herb called huacatay, which few of the chefs are familiar with.

The chefs face a range of challenges as they work to create their dishes. Some struggle with the challenge of cooking with an unfamiliar protein, while others have difficulty incorporating huacatay into their dishes in a way that complements the other flavors. Chef Chris finds himself in a bind early on when he realizes that he left his protein in the sous-vide machine too long, leaving it overcooked and dry.

The judges, including Tom Colicchio and new judge Dale Talde, taste each dish and offer their critiques. Some dishes are praised for their creativity and flavor, while others fall short. Chef Silvia's duck dish is a hit with the judges, who love the way she uses the huacatay to balance out the richness of the meat. Chef Sasha's quail dish, on the other hand, disappoints the judges with its bland flavor and lack of seasoning.

In the end, the judges must send one chef home. While some emerge as clear frontrunners, others struggle to show off their skills and satisfy the judges. The chef who is sent home will have to leave the competition and miss out on their chance at redemption.

Top Chef: Last Chance Kitchen season 7 episode 1 is a nail-biting, high-stakes episode that showcases the talents of some of the best chefs in the industry. With its exciting challenges, unexpected twists, and high-pressure environment, this episode is a must-watch for any fan of the show.