Ep 10. Red Rum And Then Some

In Top Chef season 15 episode 10, titled "Red Rum And Then Some," the chefs are in beautiful Telluride, Colorado, and are tasked with creating dishes inspired by their fondest childhood memories. The chefs head to the grocery store to gather ingredients, where they bump into Olympic gold medalist Gus Kenworthy, who challenges the cooks to a sledding race.

Back in the kitchen, the chefs get to work. Adrienne is inspired by her mother's Puerto Rican cooking and creates a dish of stewed chicken with rice and beans. Carrie reflects on her childhood love of tuna salad sandwiches and creates a deconstructed version with seared tuna, aioli, and fried quinoa. Joe Sasto recreates a dish from an upscale restaurant where his family celebrated special occasions, while Chris makes a dish inspired by his grandfather's love of BBQ.

During the tasting, guest judges Sean Brock and Traci Des Jardins join the panel. Highlights include a grilled peach dish with ricotta from Fatima, a ramen-inspired dish from Joe Flamm, and a bison and beef meatloaf from Chris. However, all eyes are on Claudette and her dish of octopus with squid ink risotto, which falls flat with the judges.

In the end, Fatima is declared the winner of the challenge, while Claudette and Adrienne are left to face off in the elimination challenge. The chefs are tasked with creating a dish using "the Red Rum room," a mysterious and eerie space in the hotel. The judges are looking for dishes that are both beautiful and haunting, with flavors that match the mood of the room.

As the chefs work, tensions rise between Adrienne and Claudette, who have had a strained relationship throughout the season. Adrienne struggles with the flavors in her dish and starts to second-guess herself, while Claudette takes a bold approach with hers.

When it's time for the judges to taste the dishes, Graham Elliot and Naomi Pomeroy join the panel. Highlights include a dish of roasted chicken with blood orange and pickled fennel from Joe Sasto, and a beet and goat cheese dish from Carrie that wows the judges with its presentation. However, when it comes to the bottom two, it's Adrienne's overly-sweet dish that lands her in trouble, while Claudette's risky dish pays off and keeps her safe for another week.

In the end, Adrienne is sent home, leaving just six chefs left in the competition. As the chefs gather to say goodbye, they reflect on their journeys so far and prepare for the tough competition that lies ahead.