July 01--He was picked last for the team challenge, but South Loop fashion designer Tommy Walton managed to survive the double elimination in Wednesday's episode of "MasterChef."
To celebrate the show's 100th episode, the 14 home cooks were divided into two teams and asked to make an appetizer that incorporated Malpeque oysters and royal ossetra caviar and an entree with duck breast for 100 guests attending a birthday lunch.
Team captain Olivia Crouppen picked Walton last, which he likened to being picked last for the softball team in grade school.
"I'm worried about having Tommy on my team. He does stupid things under pressure. He overcomplicates, and he's not the greatest at working as a team," Crouppen said.
It seemed Walton's team was doomed from the start when Crouppen devised dishes the team members said were too complex.
During the appetizer prep, Walton tried to warn the team that the oysters did not need to cook for six minutes, but they did not listen. The oysters were overcooked, which meant the team had fewer to serve.
"I hate to say it, but I told you. I told you," said Walton, 53.
Walton's team struggled to plate its smoked oysters and caviar with a salad of fennel and grapefruit, while the other team -- led by California dishwasher sales rep Nick Nappi -- easily served its appetizer of butter-poached oysters with cucumber and apple pickle and caviar vinaigrette.
Walton's team rebounded for the entree: butter-braised duck with cauliflower puree and roasted carrots. Nappi's team had problems plating Moroccan-spiced duck with forbidden rice and roasted fennel.
In the end, Walton's team won the challenge, and it was safe from the elimination challenge to create a three-layer birthday cake.
Louisiana HVAC technician Charlie Chapman was sent home for a sloppy cake, and Washington social worker Amanda Saab was eliminated for serving an underbaked cake.
"MasterChef" is now down to 12 home cooks, who have to re-create dishes by judge Gordon Ramsay in next week's episode. The show winner gets $250,000 and a cookbook deal.
"MasterChef" airs 7 p.m. Wednesdays on FOX.
