'Hell's Kitchen' recap: Pie Hard

By Zap2it Partner

August 10, 2011 7:17 AM ET

Previously: Natalie, Jamie, Elise, and Jonathon also struggled during a beer-themed challenge and service. But, as was only appropriate, Krupa's drunk ass got sent home.

We rejoin Ramsay and the contestants post-Krupa's ouster. He says ominously, "We're not done yet," then tells them what's been sorely lacking is leadership. He charges each team to nominate its strongest leader and report back tomorrow morning. While Will is the hands-down favorite for the Blue Team, Red stands divided. Jamie and Elizabeth want Jennifer. Carrie thinks she should be team leader, which Elise openly scoffs at. Jennifer wonders if she wants to be accountable for this pack of jokers.

The next morning, the teams reconvene with Ramsay. Ramsay is happy with Blue's selection of Will and somewhat surprised by Red's pick Jennifer. He says a leader must understand her teams' strengths and weaknesses, then asks her to name Red's weakest player. Jennifer names Carrie, who obviously disagrees. Ramsay asks Will which Blue Teammate has the least leadership experience, and Will calls out Tommy for his lack of communication skills. Naturally Ramsay flips the script and deems Tommy and Carrie the de facto team leaders for today's reward challenge.

The task: Evolve five American comfort classics in 45 minutes. The leaders pick who cooks what. Carrie takes pizza, then assigns Jennifer the chicken noodle soup, Elizabeth the Cobb salad, Elise spaghetti and meatballs, and Jamie the hamburger. Guess who thinks she got shafted? (Hint: It rhymes with "Puh-leese.") Over in the Blue's kitchen, Tommy is so slow to pull the trigger that the teammates assign themselves which classics they'll be cooking. Once they do so, all he does is tell them to execute his ideas instead of their own. Cooks in both kitchens struggle with their pizzas, and Elise may not have dropped her pasta quickly enough. As the clock ticks down, it's a mad dish to get dishes plated. Really? You had 45 minutes, guys.

» Read the full recap at Television Without Pity

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