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After a grueling competition that involved recreating a miniature version of a Bocuse d'Or, chef Eli Kirshtein was eliminated for serving what judge Tom Colicchio described as "raw lamb."

This week's challenge was not only a showcase of cooking nouvelle French cuisine; it also served to highlight each chef's technique. And that it did, causing everyone except Kevin to struggle. In the end, it boiled down to Eli's raw lamb verses Michael Voltaggio's directionless Mediterranean dish, which featured a cauliflower couscous and salmon.

The winner was Kevin (again), who took home a $30,000 prize and the chance to represent the U.S. in the 2011 Bocuse d'Or competition. While he's only earned a chance to try out for the team, Colicchio said on his blog, "I think that though it's not his normal inclination to cook as they do for the Bocuse d'Or, if given the time to prepare for the competition, Kevin would apply that same intelligence about food to that particular challenge and would rise to it not only ably but admirably."

After having taken up near-permanent resident status in the bottom 3 over much of the season, 'Top Chef' contestant Robin Leventhal finally saw her luck run out when she was eliminated in the quirky "casino tour" challenge.

The six competing chefs were asked to take inspiration for their dishes from various hotels along Las Vegas's famous Strip. Robin, who drew the Bellagio, attempted to make an "artistic" panna cotta but fell short on both presentation and execution.

The winner of the challenge was Michael Voltaggio, who was inspired by the New York - New York Hotel to make crispy boneless chicken wings.

Robin spoke to reporters earlier today and revealed some insight into her dismissal.

Amateur foodies take note: Fox is developing 'MasterChef,' a new reality competition series starring everyone's favorite culinary devil, Gordon Ramsay, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Developed from a similar concept already tested in the U.K. and Australia, the show will be an 'American Idol'-style talent search for the next great amateur chef.

Details are still being figured out, but it will most likely resemble the Australian version of this concept, in which contestants audition for a spot on the show by cooking a dish for three judges. After the semi-finalists are selected, contestants will compete in team and individual challenges until a winner is ultimately chosen.

Natalie Portman guested on this week's 'Top Chef: Las Vegas' and threw the remaining contestants a curveball with her vegetarian dietary requirements. The final seven chefs were prepared to create a reimagined TV dinner using a variety of meat at Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak restaurant, but were instead asked to prepare a dish using nothing but veggies.

In this clip, diners react during the elimination challenge to Chef Michael Voltaggio's asparagus salad, Japanese tomato sashimi and banana polenta. Although Voltaggio wasn't the winner of the challenge, diners responded favorably to his unusual pairing of polenta with banana.

Watch the video from TV's Top 5! after the jump.

As any 'Top Chef' fans knows, dessert challenges have always proven to be anything but easy as pie for the show's cheftestants. So anticipation for the latest 'Top Chef' spin-off series on Bravo, the just-announced 'Just Desserts,' promises to be high.

Bravo begins casting this week for contestants for the series, which will launch in 2010. No judges or hosts have been set yet for the show, which will capitalize not only on a recent plethora of pastry-themed series ('Ace of Cakes' and frequent cake-themed 'Challenge' specials on Food Network, TLC's 'Cake Boss' and 'Ultimate Cake Off,' as well as WE TV's addictive 'Amazing Wedding Cakes'), but also on the certain drama that has followed almost any dessert-themed scenes on 'Top Chef.'

Who needs high fashion when you have high calories? Bravo has renewed 'Top Chef Masters' for a second season, helping fill the gap created by the loss of perennial reality favorite 'Project Runway.'

'Masters,' which features popular and renowned chefs going head to head in a cooking competition, is a spin-off of 'Top Chef', which is currently airing its sixth season. Rick Bayless of Chicago won the first season this summer.

Good news for viewers who like watching restaurant-quality banquets being served – or restaurant banquet tables getting overturned. Bravo's 'Top Chef' and 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' are two of the several series whose renewals were announced this week. Also dishing up additional helpings: CBS crime drama 'Flashpoint' and David Duchovny's racy Showtime comedy 'Californication.'

"This is 'Top Chef,' not 'Top Scallop'!"

And with that choice quote, 'Top Chef' contestant Fabio Viviani became season 5's darling (and won $10,000 as the Fan Favorite in the reunion show).

Now, Fabio's good looks, charm, quotability and thick Italian accent are coming back to television on his very own show. Bravo is spinning him off into 'Fabio: A Catered Affair,' which will follow him and his business partner as they expand their restaurant and catering domain in Los Angeles

(The network is also producing spin-offs for Bethenny Frankel of 'Real Housewives of New York' and Christian Siriano of 'Project Runway.')

Pack up your knives: 'Top Chef' is headed for Las Vegas.

The hit reality show's sixth season returns tonight (9PM on Bravo) with 17 new cheftestants. They'll each compete for a feature in Food & Wine magazine, a showcase at Aspen's Annual Food & Wine Classic, $100,000 of merchandise provided by Macy's and an additional cash prize of $125,000.

Returning this season are 'Top Chef''s usual suspects: Emmy nominees Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi, along with Gail Simmons and love-him-or-hate-him judge Toby Young.

Also on the menu is a smorgasbord of celebrity guest judges, including Natalie Portman, Wolfgang Puck, Penn & Teller, Nigella Lawson, Tyler Florence and Daniel Boulud.

Want to know more about the 'Top Chef: Las Vegas' contestants (two of the competing chefs are brothers, and three are from Atlanta)? Check out their bios after the jump.

This week on TV: Shaq throws down, chefs book a trip to Vegas and the return of 'Runway.'

MONDAY, AUG. 17

'Cake Boss' (10PM, TLC) 1st season finale
All good things must come to an end, so even though Hoboken baker Buddy Valasco and his cake-bakin' buddies have been a great addition to the primetime line-up this summer, the first season comes to an end tonight. It does go out with a bang – literally – as Buddy goes to his son's school for "Bring Your Dad to School Day" and then concocts a fireworks-themed cake.

'Woodstock: Now & Then' – Celebrating 40th anniversary (8PM, History Channel)
'Glenn Martin DDS' – Dentist Glenn takes his fam on a permanent vacay (8PM, Nick) series premiere
'Dance Your Ass Off' – There's a major twist during eliminations (10PM, Oxygen)
'Weeds' – Esteban's daughter arrives (10PM, Showtime)
'Nurse Jackie' – Victor Garber guest stars (10:30PM, Showtime)