I completely agree with you regarding Heather. She comes across as a bully with no consideration for others. She is abrasive and just plain mean. Stop throwing others under the bus and take some accountability. The ego is a little much.

Heather Terhune. Headed for a heart attack. Glad that Bev survived. Her real personality started to come out super better in this episode. Tom is correct again with both the elimination challenge AND in Last Chance Kitchen.

Thank you for not sugar-coating Heather's horrendous behavior. As unpleasant as it's been to watch until now, it became downright painful after hearing about Bev's past experience. I hope she'll be going home soon - I really can't stomach her. Oh and a quick note to Bev - you rock, girlfriend!

Love this recap. And Heather can suck it.

That was a shameful elimination tonight. Though I really like Grayson and Chris, they should have gone home. How can you and the remaining judges describe the Venison dish as delicious, an adjective that was never used to describe the other two dishes, and then declare that it was the worst dish. C'mon! Your collective judgment was off tonight chef. I can't take the rest of the season seriously now.

I am so glad to hear that one of the judges is disappointed by Heather's behavior during a team challenge. I know it's not necessarily something that should come up at judges' tables, but I am just glad to know that I'm not the only one who thinks Heather acted unprofessional through this entire episode.

But,......for Nyesha to enter this competition to win or lose as a single entity, and have her leave this way was horrible. I hope to heck I see her battle it out but good in "last chance kitchen", because unless these chefs are told from the outset that they man indeed go home due to the fault of another, it just isn't fair. You' re gonna hear a lot more of this. TV or no. PS: no one, but no one could understand Heather's crazy rant against her teammate - weird watching her willing to send herself home, all to degrade Beverly in front of all. Shameful and stupid behavior.

I have nothing nice to say about Heather, so . . . the Quickfire was awesome! I don't know how Tim & Padma made it through 12 shots of tequila still standing. I'm not really knowledgeable about cooking or eating game. I've had quail before, but none of the other offerings. Some of the best team challenges I've seen in the past have been where one chef allowed his partner to basically "drive" the dish. Remember Dale Talde & Richard Blaise in the "confused tofu" challenge? Just because a cuisine or cooking style is not in your comfort zone, doesn't mean you cannot roll with a colleague, and maybe learn something (Heather). Beverley's comments explaining how she responds to a bullying personality were hard to hear, but not totally a shock, given how she has responded to harshness before and how easily she is brought to tears. However, it has not prevented her from some frequent fine cooking. Heather may be my least favorite chef in the history of Top Chef.

Very insightful blog, Chef. I work in healthcare and you have to work as a team for the sake of the patient. Checking to make sure everything is done is just smart in any working environment. Is there any way you could slap a piece of duct tape across Heather's mouth? Sorry, that was kinda mean.

Heather is so obnoxious and rude! I was hoping she would have been eliminated...I'm tired of listening to her complain about everything.

I have watched Top Chef for many years and this is the most unfair type of competition. It is obvious that finding the best chef is obviously not the goal of the show. By sending home both members all it means is that if you were strong and had the bad luck of teaming with a dud, you are done, regardless of your skill. That is what happened tonight. It didn't affect the result tonight (only due to badly cooked venison) and I'm not a big fan of Bev's, but what if you get a partner like Heather who ignores everything you say. What CAN you do?

Right On!!!!! Hugh you nailed this blog. Especially the bad behavior of Heather Terhune. Her lack of leadership skills really shown through on this episode. Thanky You again.

Totally cool you see heather for who she really is and recognize good qualities of other chefs.

Yes, Grayson is good... She's a Wisconsin girl! Straight-talking, direct, and we call people on their BS. (If you're keeping up with the current political climate, we also REcall people on their BS.)

I am liking Heather less and less with each episode. She behave so badly and I personally hope she get booted off next week...plus, I don't think her food is all that great.

I've heard of "food of love" but you don't often see "food of toxicity." I would go to the restaurant of a chef who's made a mistake. Who hasn't made a mistake? But having your executive chef have that kind of poisonous attitude? No thanks.

HEATHER IS HORRIBLE AND NEEDS TO GO HOME!!!

Spot on blog. Heather needs to get past her own ego. Bev is great, and I admire her more after hearing her story...I, too, hope she will fly like an enraged spider monkey at Heather!!

Hugh, you called it beautifully. I wish you could have sent Heather home because she was way out of line but Dakota's undercooked meat won out. Heather overstepped the boundries. My fantasy is for Bev to win the next elimination and for Heather to be on the bottom. Thanks for a great show.

Heather is a bully. Period. And the other chefs should call her out on it.

Here's the thing: How can we tell teenagers that things will get better if we as adults allow other adults to get away with this kind of behavior?

At this point, I don't care what kind of chef Heather is. I want her off the show. (And really, she shouldn't have won last episode with a cake that she'd made before and that was someone else's recipe. Annoyed me to no end.)

Really enjoying your blogs! I'm so sick of seeing Heather's disgusting ways while I'm trying to enjoy Top Chef, but your humorous posts almost makes it worth it.

Great review ("WTF sweet potato" is perfect), and I was so happy to see you address Heather's miserable treatment of Bev head-on. Bev's side story helped a few pieces click into place as far as her personality and foibles are concerned. Being assertive yet apologetic about it (like at the meat counter for the chili cook-off), crying at emotional moments that someone else might not actually shed tears over (again, at the cook-off), writing herself affirmative messages, even having an apparently domineering father -- all of these things made so much more sense in the context of having been in an abusive relationship that she also had the courage to escape. Heather's treatment would have been awful and unprofessional in any context, but hearing Bev's background made her seem even more like an inhumane bully.

A very sad story from Beverly about the abusive situation that, happily, she escaped. Well edited by BRAVO to keep it to the point and yet still so poignant. You go, girl!!! I was already a fan based on your cooking, but now even more so! Thanks for putting that so well amid the well-written humor, Hugh. Look forward to your next blog.

Always love Hugh's take on things...this is such a fun blog to read!

Personally, I have to say that I hate the "double elimination" factor. I think it sucks that one chef must go for another's mistake. Even if Nyesha had checked with Dakota...if the meat went in too late then what could she have done? I'm not a chef so maybe there is a way to fix it that I just don't know, but seems totally lame to me that she has to go home. I also like Dakota alot so it's a bummer to see her make this one big costly mistake.

Also, can't stand Heather. I hope she learns some things about herself and the way she chooses to treat others in watching herself on this season of Top Chef. She's nasty and I can't wait until she's gone.

I think Heather is nothing more than a bully. She bully Bev the whole time. It seems like it is always her way. I was so hoping she was leaving but not Bev. She interrupts everyone and throws everyone under the bus. I can't believe that she would not vote for 3 pairs like the judges said. She needs to get eliminated and go bully someone else. I don't like her AT all.

Best title of a blog post ever. Definitely enough of a bully to be the fourth "Heather."

Thankfully the judges sent the right team home. I am a Grayson fan and hated for her to go for what that partner did with the sweet potatoes. Then Heather was unexcuseable in the kitchen and at judges table. Save her for a week but send her packing soon. She is making it miserable for all the contestants. I know the show needs drama but this woman needs to put a SOCK IN HER MOUTH OR SOAP!

I'm glad that Dakota stood up for Bev during Judge's Table. I'm sorry to see that Nyesha and Dakota were eliminated. They are both great chefs. Dakota started strong and Nyesha was getting into her groove. Super happy Nyesha won LCK. I hope she gets backs into the competition. Both Nyesha and Dakota impressed me. They didn't point fingers and didn't throw each other under the bus. Watching it, you can really feel Dakota's guilt. I'm rooting for either her or Grayson for Fan Favorite.

Heather has surpassed Stephan and the gay Wolverine as my most hated Top Chef contestant. Aside from her bullying, which is just plain wrong, her culinary imagination is pedestrian. To first accuse Beverly of only cooking "Asian" is just plain stupid. Is there something wrong with being an Asian cook? Does she want to lob the same complaint against Susur Lee when he was on Top Chef Masters? Secondly, to be able to master all the various techniques and ingredients that comprise pan-Asian cooking is very difficult, for there is a lot of differences between Korean cooking and, say, Vietnamese. For Heather to miss this point shows her ignorance. Secondly, marrying Heather's rustic American style with pan-Asian flavors or techniques is not that hard. How many American chefs have incorporated Asian flavors and techniques onto their menus?

Yes! Thank you Chef for your insightful and humorous blog. It is very sad to see that bully exists in adulthood. Heather reminds me of that chick in class who is insecure about herself and feels better when she picks on someone she perceives as "weak". I'm glad that her passive aggressive insults reflect her as a negative person and not Bev.

I'm cheering for the Top Chef! Not for controlling cooks who throw others under the bus.

It is utterly appalling for anyone to compare Beverly's past experience with what occurred on this episode. We do not know when those side-bar interviews were done. What if her telling that story was actually related to a different episode, ever think about that?

Even though a lot may not like nor agree with how Heather handled things, she is entitled to say what is on her mind. She is honest and direct. I did not find her words abusive; yet tough and completely direct. This is my opinion just as others have theirs.

I would like to see the show before editing, I am sure we'd see a very different story line. You only see what the producers decide you should see. It makes for good TV. Clearly a lot of editing was done in the last episode to lead into this one.

By the way, if you read the Senior Editors blog, you'll notice that the cake "ordeal" was explained, ".... Just to address some of your comments from last week about Heather winning using Edward's recipe. It doesn't matter -- he gave her the recipe. And Tom brought up a good point in his blog that had Ed made the cake, which he could have, he might not have executed it as well. "

I'm wondering if any of the TOP CHEF contestants, either past or present, consider the fact that viewers will likely judge them on their attitudes while on the show and adjust their behavior accordingly. For example, without having any idea of Heather's chef abilities, I would NEVER patronize any restaurant where she is a chef strictly because of her bullying attitude and demeanor. Heather, I'm sure this is true about many TC viewers. I feel this way about several of prior TC contestants as well. Lost my business just because of the attitude you portrayed on TV.

There is a fine line between being a leader and being a bully, and I think Heather uses her big mouth and big body size to BULLY other chefs. I will be interested in seeing Grayson finally putting Heather in her place, as I'm pretty sure this is coming soon!

I truly HATE bullies . . . and adding to this inherent part of Heather's nature is her incredible arrogance! It was totally disrespectful last week when she called Tom Colicchio "Tom," instead of the more respectful "Chef," as he is addressed by everyone else. She actually views herself as his equal! Some friggin' nerve! I wish at least one of the contestants would stand up to that "b."

Heather should be sent home just because of how she is treating everyone. Her attitude is pathetic and she is one of the most overbearing contestants I have ever seen. She makes me so angry. I can't wait until she is gone. If by chance she wins...which I doubt...I would NEVER visit her restaurant!!!!

Heather was taking control of the situation as a Top Chef would do. You want to get the job done, right? Why is everyone so sensitive? Speaking of which, Beverly needs to suck it up or get some tear duct surgery.

I disagree that it isn't important to the judges the behaviors of the chefs behind the scenes. Competing for Top Chef means all aspects of the performance should be considered. A Top Chef does not behave as Heather does. She is not a team player, has her mouth going all the time and as others has stated a bully. A very big bully. Surprised at what success she has achieved. I hope she reviews all the comments and realize how she comes across to everyone.

Heather is the product of school yard bullying that never got controlled. They become junk yard dogs! I am so glad that others came to the rescue.. no matter what someone should always step up and defend the victim. This footage should be shown in schools to prevent such abuse.

Well, now we know who the "most hated" chef is in this season. Most of them are so sweet and considerate of each other, I thought the ogre wouldn't never show it's face. Now we know.

I've watched Top Chef since the beginning; all 8 full seasons and counting. I've enjoyed every single one and remember kitchen rivalries unfolding in the struggle to win the title and being entertained by them. But yesterday was the first time I felt disgusted by such rivalry where trash talking and marking your territory became a ugly display of verbal aggression and oppression. Heather's constant disparage towards Beverly was disrespectful and for me at one point was even embarrassing to watch. Heather is a bully and I have to agree with an earlier comment I read: are adults allowed to get away with this kind of behavior? None of her peers said anything all the while they heard and witnessed the disgusting, belittling treatment and knew it was wrong. When you brought up the topic at judge's table Tom didn't want any part in it, responding "we don't care about that". And I thought to myself...wow! Is that the unspoken code amongst chefs in order to make a name for yourself? To develop a thick skin and give meaning to the old saying "if you can't take the heat then get out of the kitchen"? It became painfully uncomfortable to watch Beverly shrink the more belittled she was by Heather by the end of the episode. Heather needs to go! As for Beverly, I'll tell her what I constantly tell my kids. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself, and I will always support you! Mental intimidation is the bully's calling card and Heather will do and say anything she thinks she can get away with. She was very boisterous telling the others how she felt about your shortcomings in the kitchen. You don't have to be confrontational, but don't be afraid to say 'enough'.

Hugh,you are my hero! Calling out Heather and her vendetta against Beverly makes you tops on my menu. She needs to take a Xanax and mellow out and cook her own food and not take credit for other people's recipes and blame all her shortcomings on someone else

I totally agree regarding the level of disgust generated by Heather's behaviour and share in the disgust myself. How is it that she is #8 in the fan favourite race??? She must have a VERY BIG family!

First of all, I love watching Top Chef! My 8 year old loves to watch the show as well. We both don't like Bev that much because she always cries. Heather is a different breed of bully and it was disappointing to see someone like that on a show that my child wants to watch. She's inhuman, rude and annoying. She loves to bully and I'm just hoping that one of the chefs would just stuff her mouth with something so she'll shut up!

Heather is just wanting to make someone look like the weakest chef in the competition to mask her own cooking failures and she picks on Bev because she thinks Bev is meek and mild and will take it. Don't think so fatty!! I loved Dakota for saying she did not appreciate the direction the conversation had taken, I think everyone there and watching feel the same about Heather, time to go o large one!!

ALL DUE RESPECT...ASK YOURSELF THIS, IF IT WAS A MAN ACTING THE WAY HEATHER DID, WOULD HE BE CONSIDERED AN @HOLE OR HARDCORE? REALLY THE DOUBLE STANDARD IS TOUGH TO STOMACH.

After this season of Top Chef,who would hire Heather? Even if you're a great chef,you still have to work with people.

Heather is disgusting. She is the worst type of bully and needs to learn a better work ethic through respect for others. I sincerely hope there are some real life implications for the nasty, callous, shallow, and generally horrible person she has shown herself to be.

I am not really a fan of Bevs. I feel terrible for her having been in an abusive relationship and what a brave woman to have gotten out of it. That being said Heather is WAY out of line. I really cannot stand her. I have never taken the time to respond to any of the blog posts or express my opinion at all. This weeks episode though was just to much. Her behavior was just disgusting. It was unprofessional, unsportsmanlike, and quite the blemish on Top Chef and Bravo TV's reputation. I actually felt like Beverly was in an abusive relationship all over again. Kudos to Dakota for having the kahones to stand up to this bully at judges table and to Grayson for standing up to her when they got back in the stew room. The makers of the show should seriously consider just 86'ing her from the show for misconduct. Not only that if I were her employer I would seriously consider asking for her letter of resignation from all the bad publicity she is causing for the restaurant. This is not how a grown woman and a professional of any kind should be behaving. We don't have to like each other, we don't have to agree with each other but good grief we do have to act like adults and treat each other with a modicum of respect. Grow up Heather. You can daggum guarantee if I am in her city that is on restaurant I will never be eating at. She may be a great chef but her attitude leaves a lot to be desired.

Wow that was the biggest sell out move Heather did. She needs to go home right away and bring back Dakota. Not only is she a very talented chef but has a lot of integrity

Great blog post on the episode. And so glad to see you address what I truly perceive to be offensive and disgusting behavior from Heather. I am shocked that the other chefs aren't more vocal about how embarrassing her rudeness is for the rest of them. Or maybe they are and it just gets edited out? Still, I found your post informative and it was a great insight into your thoughts about everyone's dishes. Keep it up!

Heather needs to be taught ethics on "team playing". She owes an apology to Bev and needs to take a "chill pill".