The second episode of the sixth season left me feeling a bit conflicted. Although I think I like many of the chefs, and the food certainly looks more interesting than last season, I also found myself seriously annoyed with several of the contestants. Some of them were just being irritating with their whining, while others bugged due to their over-reliance on some "Top Chef" standbys that really need to be retired.

Restaurateur and fan of simple flavors Todd English was the guest judge for the Quickfire, which used Vegas in a cool way: the chefs had to roll craps to determine the number of ingredients they were able to use in their recipes. Most people rolled 8s or 9s, but Rochester native Laurine rolled a 3, while Kevin and Bryan each rolled 10s. I won't go into all of the dishes - it seemed like there was a lot of asparagus in the mix - but Jesse got dinged for scallops lacking a sear and a plate lacking differentiating textures; Eve got blitzed for an overpowering blue cheese and boring presentation; and Bryan got in trouble for a fish dish that was overpowered by ouzo. In the top were Bryan's brother Michael with a gazpacho made via nitrogen; Jennifer with her strong flavors but delicate ingredients; and Kevin, who did a great job marrying a ton of ingredients. Michael won, taking home $15,000, and the editors made it clear that the sibling rivalry has clearly started between Bryan and Michael.

For the Elimination Challenge the chefs had to cater a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. That's lame; a joint party? In Vegas? How do you enjoy the hookers, blow, and donkey shows in front of your fianc�e and his/her friends? The chefs were split into two teams divided by gender lines, with the women cooking for the bachelor and his buddies, and the men cooking for the bachelorette and her ladies. As an added twist, the couple brought in their three favorite shots that the chefs had to pair their dishes to.

Several of the women balked at the challenge, specifically Bitchface Jen, who thought it was ridiculous to do a gender-based challenge since sex doesn't matter in the kitchen. She said she was "a little pissed off about it." I think Jen tends to be a little pissed off by a lot of things. But the larger amount of bitching came courtesy of Ashley, who as a lesbian, had a problem cooking for people getting married, since she herself can't legally marry. Um, Ashley? Do you serve food to married people in your restaurant? Then shut the fuck up. I mean, look, I'm all for gay marriage. But the idea that the gay chefs (that includes Ashley, Preeti, and Ash) having to cook for a straight couple about to get married is somehow offensive or unfair...I just can't subscribe to that. It's not their fault you can't get married. They need to eat. You need to cook. It's a business transaction. Get over yourself and off the soapbox.

There were tons of dishes being made by both teams, and I found it really difficult to keep track of everything. But several of my "Top Chef" pet peeves were on display. Both teams made a ceviche. Come on, guys. Enough with the fucking ceviches. I rarely ever see ceviches on menus in actual restaurants, but if this show is to be believed it's as common as a tuna sandwich. I would like to propose that starting with the next season, "Top Chef" ban the following: ceviches, scallops, and dishes that are made sous vide. We have seen far too many of each, and they are starting to get terribly boring.

After trying the women's food, the judges didn't like Eve's flavorless shrimp ceviche, although they loved Jennifer's octopus ceviche (FUCKING CEVICHE!). They liked Robin's mole, liked Laurine's lamb chop, but found Jesse's lettuce cups to be overwhelming and all over the place. On the flip side, they found Preeti's eggplant wanton pedestrian. And then there was Ashley, who decided to make two dishes at the last minute, much to Jen's chagrin (she wanted everyone to focus on just one dish, and make sure it was perfect). The judges loved Ashley's watermelon carpaccio, but hated her pana cotta. Looks like Bitchface Jen was right again.

As for the men, the judges were pleased with Kevin's...whatever it was (honestly, I lost track during the food flurry). They thought Michael's goat cheese cookie was even better. They were down with Hector's tofu ceviche (AHHHH!), totally dismissed Ron's lobster dish, didn't like Jersey Mike's arctic char, and enjoyed Bryan's inventive play on chips and guacamole that featured some kind of meringue. They liked Eli's tuna tartar, had problems with Mattin's bouillabaisse, and loved Ash's Asian chicken wings. So after service it seemed to me like the guys came out on top.

And lo, they did. At judges table, Bryan, Hector, Eli, and Michael got called first. And of the guys, the two brothers were the top two, with Bryan edging out the win. The sibling rivalry is in full force. I'm curious to see how long this lasts before it gets old. The judges even mentioned in this episode that it could come down to these two in the finals. I certainly hope not. That's a little hackish for this show, you know?

The four women up for the cut were Eve, Jesse, Preeti, and Ashley. Jesse was literally crying at Judges' Table; she needs to sack up. I like her, but I worry she can't handle the stress. You could tell that Colicchio had absolutely no time for Eve, and rightfully so. I don't think she paid attention to a word of their critique either time she was in the bottom. They were disturbed by the fact that Preeti actually thought her dish was good, while Ashley was basically raked across the coals for almost every decision she made with her pana cota.

Thankfully Eve was chopped. I'm so glad; I couldn't deal with her irritating voice for another minute more. Eve was also deeply delusional, thinking that her flavor combinations might have been "too unusual" for the judges. I believe the issue was that there WAS no flavors in her food, no? And that it was prepared poorly? Also, I suspect this group of judges can handle unusual. They've eaten some wackadoo things over five seasons. I just don't think they deal with a wackadoo chef who is hopelessly outclassed, and just altogether hopeless.