Last night was the calm before next week's brewing storm otherwise known as Restaurant Wars, a highlight of each and every "Top Chef" season. The Restaurant Wars episode is essentially the halfway point, and I think we have a clear picture of who will be around for the long haul and who will be unceremoniously left behind.

Forgive me for looking ahead, but there just wasn't all that much to talk about from this week's episode (other than a change atop the Power Rankings). One thing that impressed me was when guest judge Charlie Palmer revealed that the Voltaggio brothers have actually worked with him in the past. That rarely happens on "Top Chef," but it's yet another piece of evidence that speaks to season 6's talent level.

*Last week's ranking in parenthesis

1) KEVIN GILLESPIE (2)

Surprised? You shouldn't be. He notched his third Elimination Challenge victory (tied with Bryan) and also has two Quickfire wins (Bryan: zero). Kevin also has a huge advantage in the facial hair competition. His bushy, mountain-man beard runs circles around Ash's horrible goatee and Michael's wispy mustache.

2) BRYAN VOLTAGGIO (1)

Rough week for Bryan in the Power Rankings. He finishes in the top of both challenges and dropped a spot. That, my friends, sums up how stacked season 6 is. We're still about a month and a half away from the finale, and I'm already giddy. If I were a betting man, my money would still be on Bryan.

3) MICHAEL VOLTAGGIO (4)

I've kept my mouth shut long enough about the overemphasis Bravo is putting on the competition within the competition between the Brothers Voltaggio. It's intense and they don't have the most loving relationship. WE GET IT! Please stop cutting to the other brother when one brother does something good or bad.

4) JENNIFER CARROLL (3)

Any misstep gets magnified tenfold for the Fearsome Foursome. The only thing Jennifer did poorly this episode was overcook her pork chop in the Quickfire, but that was enough to drop her to the fourth spot. She rebounded well in the Elimination Challenge, though.

Pictured: (l-r) Eli Kirshtein, Laurine Wickett, Robin Leventhal, Jennifer Carroll © Bravo

5) ELI KIRSHTEIN (6)

All of a sudden, Eli is being painted as the season 6 villain because he lashed out at the unbearably annoying Robin. I would hate to be forced to spend time with her, too. Kudos to Eli for picking up his first win in the Quickfire. Making that clam soup was a ballsy choice, and it paid off big for this hobbit-looking chef.

6) MIKE ISABELLA (5)

It was a quiet week for Mike. His dishes didn't stand out at all and he barely got any face time. I don't think Mike is leaving anytime soon.

7) LAURINE WICKETT (7)

Speaking of no face time…Laurine is officially the most boring person on the show. It's not a good sign when the only memorable thing a contestant does is create a dish that makes a judge say, "This tastes like cat food." Despite being a better chef than Robin, she's my pick to go home next week.

8) ROBIN LEVENTHAL (10)

Robin is close to joining the pantheon of most annoying chefs in "Top Chef" history; the charter members include Tiffany (season 1), Marcel (season 2), Howie (season 3), Lisa (season 4), and Stefan and Leah (season 5). Everyone knows someone like Robin - an incessant talker who simply doesn't know when enough is enough. That said, she creates drama in the kitchen and producers like that. There's a reason she's still around.

9) ASH FULK (9)

Even though everyone was hoping Robin would be sent home, no one (except the other chefs) seemed to mind watching Ash pack up his knives. Those who don't have self-confidence don't belong on "Top Chef." End of story.

Pictured: (l-r) Robin Leventhal, Eli Kirshtein, Michael Voltaggio, Bryan Voltaggio © Bravo

Story by Phil McRae

Starpulse contributing writer

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