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Favreau is producing a movie about a chef who “is cooking food he no longer connects with.” Favreau has written and directing the project, which features Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr. and him, making it a foodie’s sequel to Iron Man 2. What is the challenge? No, the chefs do not have to build a meal that will fit in Tony Stark’s armor. (You missed a real opportunity here, Bravo.) Instead, they are expected to “create a dish that represents your career turning point.” I wonder if any of them craft food that displays how they felt in the wake of Roy Choi destroying their confidence.

The particularly notable aspect of the meal is that it will be served at Café Reconcile, Emeril Lagasse’s local pet project. This organization seeks to get at-risk youths off the streets and teach them life skills at a functioning restaurant. Emeril Lagasse fans need to get the Nobel Prize people to pay more attention to what this dude has accomplished.

Before the chefs are forced to quote, they are given a night on the town with Favreau and Emeril. He takes them on an expedition to sample the local food truck cuisine in the area. He starts asking personal questions about the chefs. Brian shares his origin story about how he was a weapons dealer and international playboy who found himself trapped in a cave in Afghanistan. Pushed by creativity and the will to survive, he built a metal suit that could not only withstand gunfire but also sustain his severely damaged heart. Eventually, he escaped his captors and brought them to justice. Or maybe Brian got a DUI once that caused him to reconsider his life choices. It’s one or the other.

The person who is experiencing the most personal growth this season is Shirley. She recounts how much Emeril Lagasse’s trip to the shrimp docks meant to her. Prior to her appearance on Top Chef, Shirley felt that she had lost her voice as a chef. Her participation this season has allowed the Californian/Chinese woman to rediscover what she loves about the art of cooking. Her description matches her recent hot streak wherein she has gone from solid to at worst the co-favorite.

The next phase of the challenge involves grocery shopping. At this point, Nick reveals that the movie that has made the strongest impression upon him is Forrest Gump. Doing his best Bubba Blue talking about shrimp impersonation, Nick begins to recount his plans for the mighty carrot. He will be creating an entire menu of carrots including “carrot juice, carrot top puree, carrot top oil, carrot powder, shaved carrot, piece of fish.” Wait, which piece of fish is comprised of carrots?

Nina tries her damnedest not to laugh at Nick. She fails. Trying to play it off as being amused by the concept, Nina snidely states, “All carrot everything.” To a larger point, is Nick creating a meal or planning an entire line of baby food? If elementary school children wind up being the judges, Nick is going to be voted out before he can finish saying “carrot top puree.” Hopefully, the sophisticated palates of the judges will save him from himself. If not, he will have no one to blame but himself. At this moment, the only logical conclusion to draw is that Nick is a plant for the giant Carrot Conglomerate that controls all aspects of our everyday lives. I would say more but they’re watching me. The carrots are always watching me.

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