Chef Robert Irvine, host of Food Network's Dinner: Impossible and Restaurant: Impossible, was the second Super Chef eliminated after an extremely close Secret Ingredient Showdown. In his Next Iron Chef journal, he scrawled just a few pages of notes and reflections.
Comfort Zone
The first Chairman's Challenge, in which the chefs had to build fires and cook in the middle of nowhere, was right up Chef Irvine's alley: "Good challenge for me," he wrote in his journal.
Together Again
In that first "Heat and Meat" challenge, Chef Irvine was paired up with his frequent rival, Chef Burrell. They put aside their past battles (Worst Cooks in America, Chopped All-Stars) and worked smoothly together.
Guessing Game
For challenge #2, the chefs learned that they were heading to San Diego, but were offered no more details. Chef Irvine speculated in his journal, but did not guess their eventual destination: the San Diego Padres' ballpark.
Ballpark Fare
Chef Irvine invented a dish for the ballpark challenge: the Hotburg, a fusion of a hot dog and hamburger. "I don't think anyone's ever done this before," he said. "If they haven't, they should!" said Simon Majumdar.
Splitting Hairs
The judges loved Chef Irvine's Hotburg, but found a flaw with his second dish, a deconstructed fish taco, which he outlined here. The pickled radishes were too overpowering.
Dishes Up Close
Without the radishes on the side of his fish taco, Chef Irvine might have been safe, but they landed him in the bottom two.
Peanut Showdown
Chef Irvine faced Chef Chiarello in this season's second Secret Ingredient Showdown. Neither chef was thrilled with the secret ingredient: peanuts.
Asian Angle
In his journal, Chef Irvine quickly jotted down a prep list for a halibut dish with Asian flavors, featuring peanuts three different ways.
Chef Irvine's Last Plate
Chef Irvine served Peanut-Crusted Halibut With Peanut Hummus and Peanut-Ginger-Lemongrass Sauce. The judges loved it, but two of the three found the peanut hummus a touch too thick. In a competition this close, it ended up sending Chef Irvine home.
Leaving Early
"This competition is about one person, one winner," Chef Irvine said. "Am I going to be missed? I hope so."
