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    Grab your kleenex

    A falafel and a Beastie Boy spell the end of Houston's Rebecca Masson on TopChef: Just Desserts

    Sarah Rufca
    Sep 29, 2011 | 12:42 am
    • Rebecca Masson

    It wouldn't be Top Chef: Just Desserts without an opening dose of drama, right? So since no one else has managed to break a limb, we open with jokes about an ice sculpture challenge and Sally Camacho ribbing about how dangerous Katzie Guy-Hamilton would be with a chainsaw, and Katzie not liking that at all.

    Yes, we're talking about Sally, who held the hand of clumsy, incompetent Craig Poirier for four episodes, and Katzie, who for all her spastic mess won the last two challenges. So while this is a stupid fight, at least it gets us annoyed reaction shots and voiceover trash talking from the two whenever the other presents or gets positive feedback.

    The quickfire challenge is to make a dessert out of some very non-dessert-like items: Root vegetables. Some of these chefs don't even recognize ingredients like celery root — Megan Ketover doesn't even know what her burdock root is after host Gail Simmons tells her. (I'm with you, girl.)

    Houston's Rebecca Masson says in the voiceover that she only knows how to do pastry, but this is the woman who beat out some of Houston's best savory chefs to win the Houston Chowhounds 'Shroom Throwdown, so we aren't worried. Rebecca (with potato) makes a version of a Wendy's frosty and fries, with French fries, chocolate sauce and malted milk ice cream.

    Then she tells the judges she can't cook at all, which doesn't go over particularly well. (Rebecca, save honest confessions for the confessional!) Whether its the fries or the lack of cooking knowledge, Rebecca gets called out as one of the judge's least favorites.

    Then she tells the judges she can't cook at all, which doesn't go over particularly well. (Rebecca, save honest confessions for the confessional!)

    Among the other chefs, Megan makes a five-spice burdock root fritter and candied burdock compote, Katzie makes a soy milk panna cotta with turnip chips, Carlos Enriquez presents a disastrous celery root in three textures with peanut butter, and Orlando Santos makes a peach and radish crumble.

    Chris Hanmer gets disqualified for garnishing with his jicama after time is called, and while Matthew Petersen is close with his pretty and clever caramelized parsnip cake with banana puree and caramelized hazelnuts, Sally gets the win, $5,000 and immunity for her mango pudding with turmeric and curried popcorn. Cue the eye roll from Katzie!

    For the elimination challenge, Gail introduces Adam Horowitz from the Beastie Boys and everyone geeks out. But the atmosphere gets more serious when Ad-Rock brings out a shelf full of weird non-pastry foods and liquors that have been featured in Beastie Boys lyrics — think pork and beans, peas, ravioli, Chivas and other things no one should ever make dessert with.

    After each chef picks two, Gail ups the ante with some sabotage: Each chef must choose a third weird ingredient to give to another chef. For example, while Rebecca chooses ham and 40s, she also gets falafel from Sally. Great. Thanks a lot, Sally.

    Chris, who randomly chose pesto pizza, pork and beans and ravioli, is worried. Orlando, who picks rums, gets a little drunk from tasting his own food.

    The next day the eight chefs serve their Beastie Boys food at a street art festival. Marcel Vigneron from season two of Top Chef shows up (he's a friend of Sally's) and reminds everyone what a dick he is. Sorry, Sally, but I seriously hate that guy.

    I'd heard Rebecca had someone sign her cast during filming and that Top Chef is so leery of spoilers they had the cast cut off her before she left to keep the secret.

    Some of the foods sound good, and others not so much. Carlos makes a popcorn panna cotta (I've had this before and it's pretty good) with spicy cucumber air and bacon caramel, Orlando makes a coffee, strawberry and rum arfait with green peas and gets knocked for using pre-made cookies. Megan makes a Chivas whiskey pudding cake that the judges declare dry and crumbly with a Brass Monkey sorbet and caramelized onions, and Sally presents a sweet potato prosciutto cake with toffee sauce, cheddar ice cream and a crispy chicharrón that Ad-Rock goes nuts for.

    Katzie makes something of a mess by serving sweet pomme frites with a trio of sauces and some sugar shakers — judge Johnny Izzuni describes it as "all over the place." Chris somehow pulls his ingredients together with a pork and bean brownie, pine nut ice cream and naked ravioli. Finally Matthew presents a cornbread and mashed potato cheesecake with whiskey caramel and a gravy foam that freaks everyone out (in a good way, mostly) with how gravy-ish it is. Richard Blais would approve!

    I'd heard Rebecca had someone sign her cast during filming and that Top Chef is so leery of spoilers they had the cast cut off her before she left to keep the secret. Today we find out that it was Ad-Rock who did the signing as Rebecca geeked out and then served a falafel panna cotta with ham pecan brittle and 40 oz. ice cream. Johnny is immediately overwhelmed by the garlic in the panna cotta and Gail asks for more beer flavor.

    When it comes to the judging, everyone is nervous, and Rebecca, Katzie and Megan — last week's winning team — are called out to the judges' table first. However this week that's not a good thing, and they are the least favorites. Chris, Sally and Matthew are called out as the best, and Matthew's so-crazy-but-it-worked gravy and cheesecake earned the win.

    While Megan's dessert was dry and disconnected and Katzie's was easy and messy, nothing could help Rebecca overcome her garlicky falafel panna cotta. "It was nasty, yo," opined Ad-Rock, sealing the deal, and Rebecca was sent packing.

    Does it suck for Rebecca to go home because she messed up on falafel? You bet. But as we learned with Amanda Rockman's departure last week, one mistake can be the end for a great chef.

    And Rebecca exits like with knew she would, with class and humor and a round of applause from her competitors. "I still love the Beastie Boys but I hate falafels right now," she says.

    Us too, Rebecca. Us too.

    Are you going to keep watching Top Chef: Just Desserts with all the Houston chefs out of the running? Now that Rebecca is out, who do you think will win?

    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    Meet the Tastemakers

    Houston's 10 best neighborhood restaurants offer comfort and convenience

    Eric Sandler
    Mar 3, 2026 | 3:16 pm
    Chopnblok food spread
    Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk
    ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

    The time has come to celebrate the nominees for Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

    Since a “neighborhood restaurant” should be as available to its customers as possible, we only include establishments that are open at least six days per week and serve both lunch and dinner. Beyond that, they should be affordable, casual, and available to people without a reservation. After all, neighborhood restaurants should be just as welcoming for a spontaneous weeknight craving as they are for fancy weekend celebrations.

    Who will win? Find out at our Tastemaker Awards ceremony April 16 at Silver Street Studios. Dine on bites from this year’s nominees, sip cocktails from our sponsors, and witness as we reveal the winners. Buy your tickets now. A limited number of Early Bird General Admission tickets remain. VIP tickets offer early entry, valet parking, and more perks. All tickets will sell out before the event, so don't wait.

    Here are the nominees for 2026 Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year:

    Aga's
    Even by its incredibly busy standards, the essential Southwest Houston Indo-Pak restaurant had a banner 2025. Not only did Chris Shepherd feature the restaurant on Eat Like a Local, the Chronicle ranked it as Houston’s best restaurant. Plans for a new, to-go only location in Katy will bring its signature goat chops, biryani, karahi, and more to even more people.

    Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
    With locations in Montrose and Garden Oaks, this cafeteria-style Mediterranean restaurant has built a devoted following for its pita, hummus, vegetables, kebabs, and more. At a time when everyone is looking for an affordable meal, Aladdin offers an entree and sides for as little as $18 or its essential lamb shank for $25. Make sure to save room for a little baklava.

    ChòpnBlọk
    The West African restaurant has earned a lot of national acclaim since opening its Montrose location in 2024, including a glowing two-star review in the New York Times from chief restaurant critic Tejal Rao and a Bib Gourmand designation in the Michelin Guide. Frequent collabs, including partnerships with the likes of Bun B (Trill Burgers) and Marcus Davis (The Breakfast Klub) help maintain the lively spirit of ChòpnBlọk’s pop-up roots.

    Cuchara
    For almost 15 years, this restaurant has been providing Montrose diners with a taste of Mexico City. Dishes such as turkey in mole negro and huitlacoche quesadilla remain fan favorites, as do the well-crafted margaritas. With Houston on the cusp of peak patio weather, expect Cuchara to be packed for as long as the weather holds.

    Feges BBQ
    With features like a kids play area and dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, the Spring Branch location of Erin Smith and Patrick Feges’ eponymous barbecue joint serves its neighborhood well. The vegetarian-friendly menu — think Korean-braised greens, sweet and spicy sprouts, elote, and more — allows the restaurant to cater to more than carnivores. Happy hour deals, weekly specials, and a $15 pork steak help make the restaurant affordable for area families.

    Handies Douzo
    When Houstonians want the city’s crispiest, most well-crafted hand rolls, they turn to one of this restaurant’s three locations in Montrose, the Heights, or Spring Branch. Both the approachable, counter seating format and affordable prices (a three-roll set is less than $20) make it easy to drop in for a quick bite. Given the attention to detail, it’s no wonder that the Dubai location of Kokoro, its upscale sister concept, made the World’s 50 Best List for the Middle East and North Africa.

    Moon Rabbit
    From staples like spring rolls and shaken beef to more unusual fare like the banh xeo tostada Xi quiche bone marrow, diners turn to this Vietnamese restaurant for well executed fare. Warm service and a creative cocktail list further enhance its appeal.

    Nonno's Family Pizza Tavern
    This pizzeria from the team behind Nobie’s and The Toasted Coconut has quickly become a favorite for Montrose families. Part of the credit goes to the retro-inspired dining room — complete with an arcade, but restaurants do not succeed on vibes alone. It’s the crispy, tavern-style pies, gooey mozzarella sticks, and other crowd-pleasing fare that keeps people coming back again and again.

    North China
    For more than 40 years, this West Houston staple has been serving Chinese, Chinese America, and Korean classics to hungry Houstonians. First timers should seek out signature items like the Beijing fish bun, sizzling rice soup, and Pong Lai beef, which gets its signature spice from chile de arbol. That willingness to blend Chinese classics with Texas flavors keeps diners coming back again and again.

    Pinkerton's Barbecue
    With a second Bib Gourmand designation and a third straight appearance in Texas Monthly’s list of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints, Grant Pinkerton’s Heights-area restaurant has affirmed its status as one of Houston’s premier smokehouses. Diners go to Pinkerton’s for expertly smoked brisket, the signature “candy paint” pork ribs, and sides such as duck jambalaya and jalapeno cheese rice. The recently-opened Upper Kirby location, with its retro style and expanded menu, is the city’s most ambitious barbecue joint to open in the past several years.

    ----

    The Tastemaker Awards ceremony is sponsored in Houston by Maker's Mark, Culinary Khancepts, NTX LVL Event, Shutto and more to be announced. A portion of proceeds will benefit our nonprofit partner, the Southern Smoke Foundation.

    Chopnblok food spread
    Courtesy of ChòpnBlọk

    ChòpnBlọk is basking in the national spotlight.

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