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    Top Chef episode 10 recap

    Top Chef recap: Astronauts, spacey food, and our historic farmers market take center stage

    Eric Sandler
    May 6, 2022 | 9:45 am

    It took until the season’s 10th episode, but Top Chef finally acknowledged Houston’s status as Space City. The Elimination Challenge tasked the six remaining cheftestants with creating a meal that could be served to astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

     

    In the Quickfire, they put their spin on fajitas at the Houston Farmers Market. In other words, they cooked Houston’s most prominent culinary contribution to international cuisine — at least until Viet Cajun crawfish really takes off globally — at a setting that’s all about food and ingredients.

     

    Ultimately, the restrictions related to cooking for spaceflight stymied a chef who had seemed to be among the frontrunners. She packed her knives for the final round of Last Chance Kitchen.

     

    Let’s break down the show from a Houston perspective by highlighting the local people and places who appeared in the episode. Then we’ll check in on the progress of local cheftestant Evelyn Garcia and keep track of the overall competition.

     

     Featured Houstonians
    As noted above, the Quickfire Challenge takes place at the Houston Farmers Market, the recently renovated property that combines produce vendors with the R-C Ranch butcher shop and two restaurants by chef Chris Shepherd’s Underbelly Hospitality, Wild Oats and Underbelly Burger. Of course, neither the restaurants nor the butcher shop had opened yet when Top Chef filmed last fall; since a sponsor contributed the challenge's proteins, they likely wouldn’t have been featured even if they had been in operation.

     

    Thankfully, the market looks great on TV, with prominent shots of vendor stalls loaded with produce, species, and even some ready-to-eat snacks. While the show acknowledges Mama Ninfa Laurenzo’s role in popularizing fajitas, the episode doesn’t call on anyone in the Laurenzo family or anyone currently associated with Ninfa’s to judge the results. Instead, it’s Top Chef alum Claudette Zepeda who joins Padma Lakshmi at the market.

     

    Similarly, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and Top Chef all-star Melissa King judge the Elimination Challenge. Was there not an appropriately spacey Houston chef available to participate?

     

    Despite the episode's conspicuous lack of Houston culinary talent, the Johnson Space Center looks appropriately dramatic on television, and the cheftestants get some advice from astronauts Megan McArthur and Thomas Pesquet, who speak to the competitors from aboard the ISS. Space Center Houston CEO William Harris joins former NASA astronauts Susan Still Kilrain, Tony Antonelli, and Cady Coleman as the city’s non-voting representatives at the Elimination Challenge meal.

     

     How did Evelyn Garcia do
    The only Houston cheftestant remains one of the season’s favorites. Her papalo-seasoned fajitas are almost good enough to win the Quickfire, but chef Nick Wallace edges her out by making flour tortillas. In the Elimination Challenge, her Tex-Mex-inspired guiso rojo with pork, pumpkin seed rice, and escabeche earns praise for utilizing textural components and acidity that make the dish compelling from beginning to end.

     

    “It was well seasoned. It was well put together,” head judge Tom Colicchio tells her. “The escabeche really stole the show. It kept the dish interesting.”

     

     Who wins
    Chef Buddha Lo bounces back from a below average performance in last week’s soul food challenge to secure his first Elimination Challenge win. Taking inspiration from astronaut Alan Shepard playing golf on the moon, he created a coconut mousse sphere with a berry compote center and pieces of meringue that earned universal raves from the judges and the NASA luminaries.

     

    “You gave us a beautiful, creative, delicious, interactive dessert,” Lakshmi tells him. “I appreciated how much thought you put into each element of that dish. You knocked it out of the park.”

     

     Who goes home
    Jae Jung won last week’s episode, but she struggled with the requirements of cooking for space. The judges criticize her bulgogi with gochujang barley, sesame mushrooms, and carrots for its mushy beef and undercooked barley. She heads to Last Chance Kitchen for the chance to return in next week’s episode.

     

     Who exceeded expectations
    Chef Nick’s unofficial theme song is “Money (That’s What I Want). The Mississippi chef has a knack for stepping up when prize money is on the line, earning the nickname of “The Baker” for all the “bread” he’s made on the show. Nick nets another $10,000 by winning the Quickfire, and his chicken gumbo with collard greens secures him top three status in the Elimination Challenge.

    Former NASA Astronauts Cady Coleman and Tony Antonelli with Space Center Houston CEO William Harris.

    Top Chef Houston episode 10
      
    Photo by David Moir/Bravo
    Former NASA Astronauts Cady Coleman and Tony Antonelli with Space Center Houston CEO William Harris.
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    Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this 4th of July weekend

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 2, 2025 | 6:30 pm
    Shell Freedom Over Texas
    Courtesy of Shell Freedom Over Texas
    The city has revealed the performers for its July 4 celebration.

    The 4th of July lands on a Friday this year, which means things will get especially patriotic this weekend.

    We’ve already listed all the fireworks celebrations and restaurant specials that’ll be popping off on Friday. (Don’t forget about the screenings of Independence Day at River Oaks Theatre, Rooftop Cinema Club and Marriott Marquis Houston.) But there are also other must-see events happening this weekend, including a LEGO convention, the second anniversary of a Third Ward eatery, the return of a Stanley Kubrick classic, and an outlaw music festival featuring Willie Freakin’ Nelson and Bob Freakin’ Dylan!

    Thursday, July 3

    Brick Rodeo
    Brick Rodeo is a family-friendly event that features hundreds of custom models and displays made from LEGO bricks. Creators from Texas and around the country will be available to talk about their creations. Fans who want to display their own creations, attend workshops, and participate in all the activities should purchase an All Access Pass. Families and individuals who want to spend a day viewing incredible custom creations, talking with builders, and shopping with vendors should purchase a public exhibition ticket. 9 am (8:30 am Friday-Sunday).

    City Place presents Young Audiences of Houston: Painting with Watercolor Pencils Art Workshop
    This free art workshop, hosted by Young Audiences of Houston teaching artist Judy Malone Stein, transforms City Place’s central waterfront plaza into a classical art studio with easels and other essential supplies. Participants are introduced to the medium of watercolor pencils and will learn basic color theory which includes the color wheel and primary and secondary colors, along with complimentary colors. They will also focus on creating compositions, using traditional visions (portraits, landscapes, still life) as their subject matter. 9:30 am.

    Improv Houston presents Dustin Ross
    Dustin Ross is a NAACP Image Award-winning host, writer, and producer. Fans of The Read podcast may know him as a longtime guest/friend to the show. These days, you can hear him on two pods: The Friend Zone, with co-hosts Hey Fran Hey and Assante; and Holding Court, with Eboni K. Williams. He has also hosted seasons of Bet on Black, REVOLT TV’s competition series, Bet On Black. As an on-air contributor, Ross has appeared on multiple platforms, including MTV, BET, Bravo TV, HBO, FUSE TV, GLAAD, Fox Soul, and more. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, July 4

    Freedom Over Texas
    With an average of 50,000 people in attendance, Freedom Over Texas has become Houston’s annual, signature July 4th celebration. The live, televised event will feature local, regional, and national entertainment, headlined by Ashley McBryde and Lee Brice, and will be capped off with a musically choreographed, “Texas-sized” fireworks finale. It also features a unique non-profit component, as the event will donate a percentage of food and beverage sales to the Houston Food Bank. 4 pm.

    Ensemble Theatre presents The Tap Dance Kid
    Over at The Ensemble Theatre, The Tap Dance Kid is about a 10-year-old African-American kid named Willie who doesn’t want to be a lawyer like his well-to-do strict father, and dreams of becoming a dancer like his talented Uncle Dipsey, an aspiring Broadway choreographer. The final production in the theater’s 2024-25 season, this musical is filled with imaginations of stardom that keep us tapping along. Through Sunday, July 27. 7:30 pm (2 and 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

    Dan Electro’s presents The Broken Spokes & Oliver Penn 4th of July Party
    Freedom, music, and a 4th of July Party will be going down at Dan Electros. The show will feature a performance from traditional Texas country band The Broken Spokes, a well-seasoned outfit that’s put in the time honing their craft in honky tonks across Texas,. Also performing will be Rhode Island-born, Houston-based country singer Oliver Penn, who has shared the stage with Charley Crockett, Shakey Graves, Randall King, The California Honeydrops, and Shinyribs. 9 pm.

    Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Graveyard Shift: Attack the Block
    Guy Fawkes Night in London is a time for fireworks, fooling around, and an occasional surprise or two. But when vicious extraterrestrials decide to crash the hellraisers’ holiday, a time for making merry quickly turns scary. Writer-director Joe Cornish also ensures it’s frequently humorous as well. This frisky, vigorous 2011 spoof — propelled by an insistent electronic score by Steven Price & Basement Jaxx and a star-making lead turn from John Boyega — shows a similar sensibility in its breezy blending of goofiness and gruesomeness. 10 pm.

    Saturday, July 5

    Rado Market 2 Year Anniversary Celebration
    Chef Chris Williams’ market and cafe at the historic Eldorado Ballroom will celebrate its two-year anniversary with a celebration that’s free and open to the public. The event will include complimentary champagne during the first hour, food specials from chef Jaden Gaines, and live music from a DJ for the first two hours. Guests can also browse and shop from a curated lineup of local vendors offering various products for sale, including Posh Body, Ambrosia Nectar, 77 Stash, and Juxx. Patrons can also enter two raffles featuring Radiant Aura samples and other giveaways. Noon.


      
     
     
     
     
     
     
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    Winnie’s presents Labubu Face Tattoo Korean Corn Dog Karaoke Party
    Never has an event’s name been a more complete description of what’s happening at the Midtown sandwich shop/cocktail bar on Saturday. Artists from Rodeo Tiger will be tattooing Labubu, the must-have accessory that feels destined to become the Beanie Babies of 2025 ($25 minimum, $50 for both sides, and $100 for full face custom work). While you wait, snack on a Korean corn dog created by chef Jennifer Hoffman. Karaoke starts at 8 pm. 1 pm.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Barry Lyndon
    This weekend, catch the 50th anniversary screening (in glorious 35mm!) of Stanley Kubrick’s lavish, Oscar-winning 1975 adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s 18th-century novel. Forced to leave Ireland after killing an English officer in a duel, young Redmond Barry (Ryan O’Neal) seeks his fortune as a soldier in Prussia, as a spy, and then as a gambler living among the elite of Europe. He changes his name and marries an aristocrat (Marisa Berenson) for her wealth, but will he finally gain the acceptance he seeks? 5 pm (2 pm Sunday).

    Kings Harbor Waterfront Village presents “Fireworks on the Pier”
    Looking for a post-4th of July throwdown this weekend? Kings Harbor Waterfront Village in Kingwood will have its annual “Fireworks on the Pier” celebration, a patriotic evening of family fun, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display. Festivities include family-friendly games like Connect Four, a balloon artist, face painting and bubble stations for kids. Local restaurants will be serving up a variety of delicious food and drink options throughout the evening. A dazzling fireworks show over the pier will begin around 10 pm. 7 pm.

    Movies at Miller: Wicked
    We know there is a lot of y’all who can’t wait for Wicked: For Good to drop in multiplexes this winter. Before that happens, head over to Miller Outdoor Theatre and revisit the Oscar-winning Broadway musical adaptation that set it all off. In the magical Land of Oz, Wicked covers the first act, following Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with Galinda (Ariana Grande), the future Glinda the Good Witch. The audience is encouraged to come in costume. 8:30 pm.

    Sunday, July 6

    Eldorado Ballroom presents Ball N’ Parlay
    Dubbed “A 1st Sunday Vibeout,” Ball N’ Parlay is a vibrant, Third Ward day party that’s going to be held outside the legendary Eldorado Ballroom. They’re really hyping this one up, calling it “the Sunday you’ve been waiting for, where music, community, and culture meet.” We’re just psyched that some of our favorite DJs will be doing live sets, including DJ Elevated, Maiya Papaya, Alist, and DJ Bloom. 3 pm.

    Outlaw Music Festival
    If you grew up going to Cactus Music and picking up the latest issue of No Depression, looking for the latest in outlaw country releases to scoop up, a fest full of iconic, guitar-strumming banditos will be making a stop at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this weekend. The 10th anniversary tour of the Outlaw Music Festival will feature an unparalleled lineup of legends and superstars, including Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, The Avett Brothers, The Mavericks, and Tami Neilson. 4:05 pm.

    CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
    As of this writing, we don’t know who will be playing in the final match of the soccer championship known as the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, going down this weekend at NRG Stadium. What we do now is that the winners will be determined on Wednesday night, when the semifinal matchups – the USMNT vs. Guatemala and Mexico vs. Honduras – will take place. This also marks the first time the Gold Cup Final will be held in the state of Texas. 6 pm.

    Freedom Over Texas
      
    Courtesy of Freedom Over Texas
    The Freedom Over Texas celebration takes place on the Fourth of July.
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