What can I say, but Top Chef contestant Gene is lucky. For the past two weeks, the Hawaii-raised chef has been in the bottom three but has managed to fight off elimination.

In Episode 5, Gail’s Wedding Shower, Gene took the lead role for his “New-themed” team and went with a surf and turf sushi that bombed. But yet, Danny was sent packing for his undeniable belief that their team produced a dynamite dish. Just a side note, but it looks like the Top Chef judges no longer boot out the losing team’s leader. In the past, the leader of the losing team was an automatic out. This year, it looks like the judges are rewarding those that step up into the leadership role, failure or not.

In Episode 6, 12 Days of Christmas, Gene was fuming for being in the bottom three with his underwhelming dish. Fortunately, in the spirit of the Holidays and since all the chefs helped out Hosea and Radhika whose food had spoiled, no one was eliminated this week. Out of the bottom three, Gene was surely the one who would have gone home.

While I’m no food expert, Gene can cook otherwise he wouldn’t be on the show. Only thing is his dishes seem influenced too much by Las Vegas where he works. His creations would wow the hotel and casino guests but not the sophisticated palates of the Top Chef judges. This is where his lack of formal culinary training will hurt his chances of going all the way. But then again, Gene does have that drive, going from dish washer to executive chef, so he is a survivor. But how much luck does he have?

Technorati Tags: television, Top Chef