Ep 7. Olympic Dreams

In season 15, episode 7 of Top Chef, titled "Olympic Dreams," the remaining contestants are put to the test as they enter the second half of the competition. This episode brings together two major themes - the Olympics and global cuisine - as the chefs work in teams to create dishes inspired by the upcoming winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The episode begins with the Quickfire Challenge, where the chefs are asked to make their own version of the classic Korean dish, bibimbap. The dish includes a variety of ingredients such as rice, vegetables, and meat, and must be presented in a visually appealing manner. The judges are looking for a dish that not only tastes great but also showcases the chef's creativity and attention to detail.

Next up is the Elimination Challenge, where the chefs must work in teams to create dishes that represent the culinary traditions of various countries participating in the Olympics. The teams are randomly selected, and each one is assigned a country such as Italy, France, Japan, and South Korea. The chefs must prepare a three-course meal that showcases the flavors, ingredients, and techniques of their assigned country.

One of the biggest challenges in this episode is the language barrier. Many of the chefs are not familiar with the traditional dishes of their assigned countries, and some don't speak the language necessary to communicate effectively with their teammates. This leads to some interesting communication strategies, as the chefs use hand signals, drawings, and even Google Translate to get their points across.

As the teams work on their dishes, tensions begin to rise. Some chefs struggle to balance their individual creativity with the need to create a cohesive menu, while others are frustrated by the lack of communication within their team. However, there are also moments of collaboration and teamwork, as the chefs help each other with ingredients and techniques.

The judges, including Tom Colicchio and guest judge David Chang, taste each team's dishes and give feedback on the flavor, presentation, and creativity. There are some standout dishes, such as a Korean-inspired beef tartare and a French-inspired bouillabaisse, but there are also some disappointing dishes that fail to capture the essence of their assigned countries.

Ultimately, one chef is sent home in this episode, while the others move on to the next challenge. While the competition is fierce, it is clear that the chefs are all passionate about their craft and looking to push themselves to new heights. With the Olympic theme inspiring the dishes and the teamwork challenges testing the chefs' communication and collaboration skills, this episode showcases the best and the worst of Top Chef season 15.