http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Jan/29/Picture_1.pngIn case you’ve been living under a rock or are just allergic to sports, the Super Bowl is Sunday. The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers are playing in it and loads of hearty and heart-unfriendly food will be served during the all-day gorgefest that leads up to the game. And, of course, the folks at Top Chef couldn’t pass up an opportunity to have an episode tying into one of America’s unique food traditions.The challenge? To create a dish representing the cuisine of cities with NFL teams in a 20-minute, head-to-head competition against all-stars from past seasons of Top Chef. Since there are only seven chefs left, there are only seven teams represented in the challenge — San Francisco, New York, New Orleans, Green Bay, Dallas, Miami and Seattle.Meaning, ironically, that the two teams in this weekend’s Super Bowl, Arizona and Pittsburgh, aren’t represented. Not that they could have known who would make the Super Bowl when they were taping this in advance, but it’s still funny.Not so funny? A food and football challenge that doesn’t pay homage to the awesome barbecue of Kansas City. How can you have a Super Bowl food challenge and not represent such good cuisine that goes perfectly with the sport of football? Insane. I understand that the chefs only had 20 minutes to cook their food and barbecue is a bit more involved then that, but come on! That omission just puts a sour taste in my mouth.Well, luckily, the chef contestants were on their game, because despite that sour taste, I had a smile on my face the whole night while listening to some of the very witty things everyone had to say. This episode should have been the Super Bowl of super quotes. Some of the many gems:– “There is no reason to eat vegetables when there is meat and fish around.” — Fabio– “Jeff is a really good chef, but he can’t quiet the creative monkeys.” — Carla– “It’s like sometimes doing too much can put you behind I guess.” — Jeff (this isn’t funny, just ironic)– “The winner is Stefan, his head just got another inch bigger.” — Hosea– “We’ve been told that in the stew room there is a present for us. A dog?” — Fabio– “I think my challenge is to cook something. I wish my challenge was to put one of those helmets on and just knock somebody off.” — Fabio– “Dear Season 5, if you don’t bring your A game, you’re going to get (bleeping) stomped. And I will be peeing on your bodies.” — Andrew– “Welcome to the country of opportunity, opportunities to make something new for me.” — Fabio– “That’s not cooking, that’s rushing. But I’m a professional chef … if they (give me) a monkey (arse) to fill with fried banana, I’ll come up with something. It’s not a problem.” — Fabio– “I am 30 years old and I have to sleep in the bunky bed.” — Fabio– “I want you to like me so that it won’t hurt as bad when I win.” — Hosea– “I got beat by the (bleeping) nuts and grains … girl.” — Stefan– “I will be cooking venison in honor of the hunting thing that is going on in Wisconsin.” — FabioToo bad it wasn’t a challenge to out-quote each other because Fabio, obviously, would have been safe. Instead, Fabio, Stefan and Jeff, three of the top competitors on the show, all missed the mark and lost their head-to-heads, meaning they were up for elimination. Fabio overcooked his venison and misused the cheese in his Green Bay head-to-head, while Stefan killed his salad and Jeff, as usual, over did things.When defending themselves in front of the judges, Fabio got the most air time, trying to defend his overcooked venison, but it was really Jeff that was in need of a good editing. Note to Jeff, the point of this competition is not to see who can do the most in the allotted amount of time, though you have been playing the game like that was the point the whole time. The point, my friend, is to make the best food, not show off your speed and technique and refinement. That stuff doesn’t matter if it doesn’t taste good.Finally, it seems, the judges figured out that Jeff never really did anything but overdo everything and sent him home to overcook and overthink at his restaurant in Miami.Someone else who will be in Florida this weekend is Carla, who won the challenge with her gumbo and ended up with two tickets to the Super Bowl in Tampa. Touchdown!Some random thoughts:– It was nice to see that fame hasn’t staled the sense of humor of Andrew and Spike from Season 4.– My husband would like to add his own quote to my list: “Who likes chicken livers except for old people and Toby?”– Is it me or is Hosea waaaaaayyy too obsessed with Stefan?– I think Jeff must identify with Hung from Season 3. Hung always boasted about his speed and technique too. The difference? Hung cooked yummy food and won the show. Sorry Jeff, but you’re not in his league, though your hair is definitely more desirable.– Think Toby Young is at home crying in a ball after seeing Fabio out-quote him with one hand tied behind his back?– None of the food created could actually be eaten at a proper Super Bowl party. Too many utensils and not enough ranch dip.