When "Top Chef" randomly went on hiatus for a week and aired an uneventful all-star reunion show instead, how many of you forgot that Robin was still around? (Before she got booted last night, that is.) Me too.

During the Quickfire Challenge, it was jarring to see Robin walk in the kitchen with the other chefs. The first thing that came to mind: "What is she doing there?!" Like I've said before, this is the most talented season in "Top Chef" history and the discrepancy between her and the other five was almost immeasurable.

I thought back to previous seasons and tried to come up with a more out-of-place contestant who had no business making it all the way to the top 6. Two others immediately stood out: Mike (season 2) and Leah (season 5). But even the two of them outperformed Robin in the challenges. Mike had a Quickfire and an Elimination Challenge victory, and Leah won three Quickfires..

Robin had one solo and one team win (while riding Jennifer's coattails) in the Quickfires. That's it. And what made Robin stand out even more was her grating personality that annoyed all of the younger contestants. (Yep, she was even visually out of place because she was at least 10 years older than the rest of the chefs.)

Reaching the top 6 would seem like good fortune for Robin, but it will end up being a negative in the long run. Instead of being a slightly pleasant -- yet completely forgettable -- early season ouster, she will become the token "remembered for all the wrong reasons" contestant from season 6.

Then again, isn't that what reality TV is all about? Good for you, Robin. You'll live on in "Top Chef" infamy for years to come.

*Last week's ranking in parenthesis

1) MICHAEL VOLTAGGIO (1)

Michael embraced the Elimination Challenge's concept more than anyone else and executed a dish that was inspired by the New York - New York hotel/casino. The sophisticated take on chicken wings with bleu cheese won over the judges' hearts and earned rave reviews. That gives the brash Voltaggio brother as many Elimination victories as his quiet sibling.

2) KEVIN GILLESPIE (2)

Kevin's steak and eggs earned a second-place finish in the Quickfire, and he also had one of the top dishes in the Elimination Challenge. All in all, it was another great week for the bearded wonder from the South.

3) BRYAN VOLTAGGIO (3)

It was nice to see Bryan get emotional when talking about his son. By emotional, I mean he used a monotone voice and stared blankly into the camera with a straight face.

4) JENNIFER CARROLL (5)

The meltdown continues for this season's most disappointing chef. Jennifer can still rebound, but it's clear that she isn't on the same level as the top 3 in the rankings.

5) ELI KIRSHTEIN (4)

Even though his "caramel apple, peanut, and popcorn" soup was a disaster in the Elimination Challenge, I give Eli credit for going out on a limb and doing something daring. This Circus Circus-inspired dish was creative, but it's a good thing Robin was still around, or else Eli would've been sent packing this week.

6) ROBIN LEVENTHAL (7)

Mike Isabella, the last chef to be eliminated, should be really angry at the judges for getting rid of Robin a week late. Even if Mike had made something mediocre during this week's Elimination Challenge, he would've lived to fight another day because Eli's dish was so bad. But that's the hypothetical world. In the real world, I'm glad we can stop talking about Robin now.

Image © Bravo

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Story by Phil McRae

Starpulse contributing writer

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