http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2009/Feb/19/Picture_1.pngYou have to give it to Top Chef. Even when you watch the show on DVR at 4 a.m. with a fussy baby, the folks behind the show sure know how to grab your attention. Despite being in its fifth season, Top Chef still has some big surprises stuffed in its sleeves and last night it pulled out a doozy of one for its New Orleans semifinal.The surprise? A quickfire challenge to add a fifth contestant to the semifinal action. Those competing? Recently departed chefs Jeff, Jamie and Leah.The departed chefs had to make a crawfish dish to present to famed chef Emeril Lagasse for a chance to compete in this week’s elimination challenge with the four semifinalists. If the quickfire champ wins the elimination challenge, he or she would make the final.My first thought: Oh crap, Leah’s going to weasel her way back into this one. Gah! That girl has won a ton of quickfire challenges and Jamie and Jeff haven’t at all. Maaannnn….Making me worry even more was the fact that Leah had never used crawfish before, but she seems to have a habit of bumbling into things. It would be just like her to win this challenge! Of course, I was rooting for Jamie, who I thought was unfairly booted in favor of Hosea and Leah.Instead, it was Jeff, who had always been middle-of-the-pack despite (or maybe because of) his ambition, who made his way into the semifinal along with Fabio, Stefan, Carla and Hosea. The semifinalists’ task? Cater a masked ball. Each contestant had to prepare a drink and two small dishes, one of which had to capture the taste of New Orleans. At stake besides a trip to the final? A new Toyota. How cool is that?Each contestant put together what seemed to be great dishes that were each well-loved by both the guests and the hosts, but still the winner was a shocker. My dear Carla, the fan favorite and self-proclaimed dark horse, took home the car and a spot in the semifinals despite major problems shucking oysters.That meant Jeff was a goner, so he said goodbye for a second time despite being in the judge’s top three for his dishes.Also on the chopping block? The incredibly talented “Team Europe” of Fabio and Stefan. Hosea, unfortunately, was safe after creating a great gumbo. Grrrr. The guy got by on just his roux, not talent. Anyway, I’m not bitter. Stefan had been a front-runner since the very first challenge (and my pick to win) and Fabio has always been neck-and-neck with Carla for my personal favorite. What’s a girl to do but just hope that whichever one stays teams with Carla to beat out Hosea?Unfortunately, it had to be my Fabio who was sent packing. Man, I’ll miss him next week! You just can’t beat his sound bytes. I’m sure the people in the editing room will miss him too – much harder to put a show together without his wit, I’m sure.As for a winner next week? My brain says Stefan, my heart says Carla and my gag reflex says Hosea. Here’s hoping the judges will get it right.Random thoughts:– As much as I wish Hosea weren’t around, I did think he had a funny stray comment about how this had been the first season of Top Chef without a mohawk until Fabio came to New Orleans supporting one. Too bad we won’t see more of that mohawk, Hosea!– Is it just me or did every chef come back a bit chunkier except for Carla? Too many calories at Top Chef watch parties, folks?– Emeril didn’t say “Bam!” once in this episode. Isn’t he required to say that every 30 seconds or so when he’s on TV?– Nice to see that Gail’s back. Toby Young had worn out his welcome. His time on Top Chef definitely peaked with his “cat food” comment in his first episode.– Stefan or Carla or bust.