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Art comments that he was involved in a wedding challenge on Top Chef: Masters. Put in charge of the wedding cake, it was not (to put it lightly) a success. He promises not to let that happen to this season’s crop of chefs, and thus he’ll provide the cake. “We still expect a dessert, though,” Padma warns.

Tasked with this group challenge, the cheftestants begin to find ways to break up the meal, decide on courses, and assign roles. Kwame will provide sauces/toppings for two dishes - a take on steak and potatoes from Philip and a shrimp dish with Wes - Jason pairs with Angelina to do a take on a cabbage roll, Giselle and Karen will work together to make sure that the vegetarians at the reception have something to eat, Isaac will work alone on Cajun dirty rice, and Carl and Marjorie will provide dessert.

With that settled, the cheftestants head back to their lofts at La Quinta (different hotel, I promise you) and, in totally California fashion, a yoga instructor walks into the scene. Saying that Padma sent him to make sure they’re focused and relaxed for the next day, he offers to do a session with the chefs, an offer taken by many. When in Rome, I suppose.

The next day, cooking starts and drama ensues. Giselle, who seems to irritate every chef she works with, peppers Karen with questions as to what should be done, and how the ingredients should be prepped, and what seasoning should go where. Karen rightly notes that this is not how two individuals on Top Chef should collaborate.

Meanwhile, Angelina just doesn’t seem to have a good conception of A) how Jason’s dish should be prepared, and B) how to prioritize getting food right over getting food finished. She declines to take his advice and add more vinegar to the stewing chicken. Upon seeing this, Jason adds more vinegar himself. And in response to her attempts to hurry him into finishing various components, he responds exasperatedly, “we need to make sure this gets done correctly first.” Sigh.

On the other side of the kitchen, Philip has finished his first batch of “mashed potatoes,” which resembles both cream of potato soup and whipped cream slowly succumbing to heat. It’s a goopy, liquidy, white glop. Philip is thrilled upon tasting it and invites Kwame to do so as well. “It’s gummy,” Kwame says, definitely not thrilled. “It’s aerated,” Philip clarifies.

The big, gay wedding goes off without a hitch, officiated by Padma (who just got ordained the day before the Quickfire). Oblivious to the many potential culinary miscues percolating with the chefs, Padma cheers, “let’s go eat, celebrate, and party!” The diners head over. Jason and Kwame adopt steely gazes. Jason decides that he is NOT going to let Angelina mess up “his dish,” while Kwame knows that his sauce has to be good to compensate for Philip's icky potatoes.

Three appetizers are up first. Amar and Chad have a sherry-glazed pork belly with smoked orange marmalade.

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