Cedar City, Utah, nestled amidst the awe-inspiring red rock canyons, boasts a culinary scene that caters to more than just breathtaking views. Carnevores on a quest for the perfect steak will find themselves spoiled for choice in this southern Utah haven. From meticulously aged prime cuts to creative interpretations of classic dishes, Cedar City's steakhouses offer an unforgettable dining experience.
To help you navigate this delightful dilemma, we've curated a list of the top 10 steakhouses in Cedar City, Utah, for 2闊淬(kuai)4 (2024). Each restaurant is meticulously chosen based on factors like quality of steaks, ambiance, service, and overall diner satisfaction. So, whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a well-deserved treat, this guide will lead you to a Cedar City steakhouse experience that tantalizes your taste buds and lingers in your memory.

1. The Iron Steer

A Cedar City institution, The Iron Steer exudes a timeless charm that perfectly complements its unwavering commitment to quality. Step inside the warmly lit, Western-themed interior and be greeted by the enticing aroma of sizzling steaks. The menu boasts a selection of USDA Prime cuts, all dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days to ensure exceptional tenderness and flavor. Indulge in classics like the New York Strip or the bone-in Ribeye, or explore unique offerings like the Elk Steak with a huckleberry demi-glace. The Iron Steer's attentive waitstaff provides exceptional service, ensuring a memorable dining experience from start to finish.
Don't Miss: The decadent Iron Steer Potatoes, a medley of whipped potatoes, roasted garlic, and melted cheeses, is a perfect complement to any steak.

1. Sagebrush Grille

Sagebrush Grille offers a contemporary take on the classic steakhouse experience. Featuring stunning panoramic views of the Cedar City surroundings, this restaurant provides a delightful backdrop to savor exceptional cuisine. The menu showcases a creative selection of steaks, including the Wagyu Tri-Tip with a chimichurri sauce and the Cedar City Cut, a bone-in ribeye dry-aged in-house for 35 days. For those seeking lighter options, Sagebrush Grille offers delectable seafood dishes and vegetarian entrees. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet inviting, with a knowledgeable waitstaff ready to guide you through the menu and wine list.
Pro Tip: Time your visit to coincide with sunset for an unforgettable dining experience with breathtaking mountain vistas bathed in golden hues.

1. Wild West Steak & Grill

Embrace the Wild West spirit at Wild West Steak & Grill. This family-friendly restaurant provides a fun and lively atmosphere perfect for an evening out with loved ones. The menu caters to a variety of palates, offering classic steakhouse cuts alongside a selection of burgers, pasta dishes, and kid-approved options. The steaks are all-natural, char-broiled to perfection, and available in a range of sizes to satisfy any appetite. Wild West Steak & Grill also boasts a mechanical bull riding experience, adding a touch of Wild West excitement to your meal.
Local’s Favorite: Don't miss the signature Wild West Onion Rings, a mountain of crispy perfection served with a zesty dipping sauce.

1. The Butchery at Zion

The Butchery at Zion takes the farm-to-table concept to a whole new level. Partnering with local ranchers who prioritize sustainable and humane practices, this restaurant offers some of the freshest, most flavorful steaks in Cedar City. The menu showcases a variety of cuts, all dry-aged in-house for exceptional taste and texture. Butcher shop cuts are also available for purchase, allowing you to recreate the Butchery at Zion experience at home. The ambiance is rustic yet elegant, with exposed brick walls and a focus on natural elements. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about the menu's origins and passionate about providing exceptional service.
Perfect Pairing: Complement your steak with a glass of wine from the Butchery at Zion's carefully curated selection, featuring local Utah wineries alongside international favorites.

1. The Rim at Cedar Lodge

Perched atop the Cedar Lodge, The Rim offers an unparalleled fine-dining experience. As you ascend to the restaurant, prepare to be dazzled by breathtaking panoramic views of Cedar City and the surrounding landscape. The menu features an exceptional selection of USDA Prime steaks, all wet-aged for a luxuriously tender and juicy bite. Choose from classic cuts like the Filet Mignon or the Porterhouse, or explore unique offerings like the Bison Ribeye with a roasted garlic demi-glace. The wine list boasts an extensive selection, with knowledgeable sommeliers available to guide you towards the perfect pairing for your steak. The impeccable service, coupled with the breathtaking ambiance, makes The Rim at Cedar Lodge an ideal choice for a romantic evening or a special occasion.
Dress Code: While not strictly enforced, a dressy casual attire is recommended to complement the upscale atmosphere of The Rim.

1. Milt's Stage Stop: Steak & Seafood**

Steeped in history and charm, Milt's Stage Stop offers a unique Cedar City dining experience. Housed in a meticulously restored stagecoach stop, the restaurant exudes a rustic elegance that transports you back in time. The menu features a delightful selection of steaks, including their signature Prime Rib, alongside fresh seafood options. Don't miss their famous all-you-can-eat salad bar, overflowing with fresh ingredients and house-made dressings. Milt's Stage Stop offers stunning views of the Cedar Canyon, making your meal even more memorable.
Insider Tip: Make reservations in advance, especially during peak season, as Milt's Stage Stop is a popular choice among locals and visitors alike.

1. Findlay's Sports Grille**

Findlay's Sports Grille is the perfect spot for a casual evening of good food, drinks, and lively conversation. This energetic restaurant features a menu with a focus on pub fare, alongside a surprising selection of high-quality steaks. Patrons can choose from classic cuts like ribeye and New York strip, all cooked to their desired doneness. The highlight for many is the build-your-own steak option, allowing you to customize your steak with a variety of toppings and sauces. Findlay's boasts a large bar area with an extensive selection of beers on tap, making it a great place to unwind and catch the game.
Weekend Special: Don't miss Findlay's weekend-only prime rib special, a local favorite known for its generous portions and exceptional flavor.

1. Longhorn Steakhouse**

Bringing a taste of Texas to Cedar City, Longhorn Steakhouse offers a familiar and welcoming atmosphere. The menu features a wide selection of USDA Choice steaks, cooked to perfection over an open flame. From the signature Flo's Filet to the bone-in Outlaw Ribeye, Longhorn Steakhouse caters to a variety of appetites. The restaurant also boasts a selection of flame-grilled chicken, seafood, and pasta dishes, perfect for those seeking something beyond steak. The friendly waitstaff embodies Southern hospitality, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.
Family-Friendly: Longhorn Steakhouse offers a dedicated children's menu with kid-sized portions and healthy options, making it a great choice for families with young ones.

1. Redwood Smoke & Grill**

Redwood Smoke & Grill offers a unique blend of smokehouse specialties and classic steakhouse fare. The menu features a selection of slow-smoked meats, including pulled pork, brisket, and ribs, alongside a variety of grilled steaks. The steaks are all-natural, seasoned to perfection, and cooked over an open flame for a smoky and flavorful finish. Redwood Smoke & Grill boasts a casual and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed evening out.
Must-Try: Pair your steak with Redwood Smoke & Grill's signature mac and cheese, a creamy and decadent side dish.

1. The Pump House Grill: A Hidden Gem with Gourmet Steaks and Local Charm

Nestled away in a charming historic district, The Pump House Grill offers a unique and delightful dining experience. Housed in a meticulously restored turn-of-the-century pump house, the restaurant boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere that blends historic character with modern elegance. The menu features a curated selection of gourmet steaks, sourced from local Utah ranches and cooked to perfection using a unique sous vide technique. This method ensures exceptional tenderness and juicy flavor in every bite. Alongside classic cuts like the filet mignon and the New York strip, The Pump House Grill offers creative steakhouse dishes, such as the espresso-crusted ribeye and the steak Diane with a cognac cream sauce. The restaurant also boasts a creative selection of appetizers, sides, and desserts, all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Local Favorite: Don't miss the opportunity to try The Pump House Grill's signature bone marrow appetizer, a decadent and flavorful treat.
Cedar City's culinary scene offers a delightful selection of steakhouses, each with its unique character and charm. From the timeless elegance of The Iron Steer to the modern sophistication of Sagebrush Grille, there's a perfect steakhouse experience waiting to be discovered in this southern Utah haven. So, gather your loved ones, explore the delectable options listed above, and embark on a culinary adventure that tantalizes your taste buds and creates memories that last a lifetime.
Beyond the Steaks: While this guide focuses on steakhouses, Cedar City offers a diverse culinary scene with something for everyone. Don't hesitate to explore the many restaurants serving international cuisine, delectable seafood dishes, or mouthwatering vegetarian options.

Tysons, Virginia, a bustling hub of commerce and innovation, also caters to the discerning palate with a remarkable selection of steakhouses. From classic steakhouses steeped in tradition to modern interpretations of the genre, Tysons offers an unforgettable culinary experience for every steak enthusiast. Here, we meticulously curate a list of Tysons' finest steakhouses, each lauded for exceptional service, impeccable ambiance, and, of course, the art of grilling the perfect steak.
For the Discerning Traditionalist: Establishments Steeped in Steakhouse History

• The Palm Tysons Corner: Established in 1926 in New York City, The Palm has become synonymous with iconic steakhouses. Their Tysons location carries on the legacy with a timeless elegance. USDA Prime cuts of beef reign supreme, dry-aged for unmatched tenderness and flavor. The signature Palm rib-eye, carved tableside, is a must-try, while the colossal bone-in ribeye is a shareable indulgence for the adventurous diner. An extensive wine list boasting vintages from around the globe ensures a perfect pairing for every cut.
• Morton's The Steakhouse: Another titan of the steakhouse world, Morton's offers an unwavering commitment to quality and service. Their Tysons location features a luxuriously appointed dining room, ideal for a special occasion or a power business lunch. Expect an impressive selection of USDA Prime beef, cooked to precise doneness. Morton's signature cut, the bone-in filet mignon, is a testament to their expertise. An impressive seafood selection and classic steakhouse sides like creamed spinach and lobster mac and cheese round out the menu.

For the Modern Palate: Innovative Interpretations of the Steakhouse Experience

• Capital Grille: Capital Grille brings a contemporary twist to the steakhouse experience. Their sleek, urban-chic dining room pulsates with energy. The menu showcases high-quality cuts of USDA Prime beef alongside creative appetizers and innovative side dishes. Capital Grille's dry-aged steaks offer an intense depth of flavor, while their wagyu tasting menu is a luxurious indulgence for adventurous gourmands. An award-winning wine list featuring both established and up-and-coming vintners complements the exceptional cuisine.
• J. Alexanders: J. Alexanders strikes a balance between classic comfort and modern innovation. The warm, inviting atmosphere creates a perfect setting for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. Their menu boasts a diverse selection of steaks, including USDA Prime cuts alongside lesser-known yet equally delicious options like hanger steak and flat iron steak. J. Alexanders prides itself on using only the freshest, high-quality ingredients, evident in their flavorful cuts and creative sides like truffle mac and cheese and roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon.

Beyond the Steak: Exploring Upscale Accompaniments
While the steak is undoubtedly the star of the show at these establishments, it's the exceptional accompaniments that elevate the dining experience to new heights. Expect to find a wide array of tempting appetizers, from succulent oysters Rockefeller and decadent foie gras to chilled seafood towers and lobster bisque. Classic steakhouse sides are offered alongside more inventive creations, ensuring there's something to tantalize every taste bud. Creamy mashed potatoes, crispy onion rings, and creamed spinach are perennial favorites, while dishes like truffle fries, roasted asparagus with parmesan cheese, and sauteed mushrooms with garlic add a touch of modern flair.
The Art of the Perfect Steak: Selecting Your Cut
For the uninitiated steak enthusiast, navigating the diverse cuts of meat on a steakhouse menu can be daunting. Here's a brief guide to some of the most popular options:

• Filet Mignon: The quintessential cut for steak purists, the filet mignon is known for its exceptional tenderness and buttery texture. Due to its lean nature, it is typically cooked to medium-rare to preserve its juiciness.
• Ribeye: A steak lover's delight, the ribeye is richly marbled with fat, resulting in an intense flavor and juicy bite. The generous marbling also makes it forgiving of slightly higher cooking temperatures.
• New York Strip: A flavorful cut with a good balance of meat and fat, the New York Strip offers a satisfying chew and robust beef taste. It is a versatile cut that can be cooked to various doneness levels.
• T-Bone Steak: This impressive cut combines a filet mignon on one side and a New York strip on the other, offering diners the best of both worlds in terms of tenderness and flavor.

Maximizing Your Tysons Steakhouse Experience: A Guide for Discerning Diners

To maximize your Tysons steakhouse experience, consider these following tips:

• Make a Reservation: Tysons' finest steakhouses are popular among locals and visitors alike. To secure a table, especially on weekends or for special occasions, be sure to make a reservation well in advance. Most establishments offer online reservation options for your convenience.
• Dress Code: While some steakhouses in Tysons cater to a business casual crowd, establishments like The Palm and Morton's maintain a dressier atmosphere. A jacket and tie for men and a cocktail dress or elegant pantsuit for women are appropriate attire for these upscale venues.
• Understanding the Menu: Familiarize yourself with the menu beforehand, especially if you're unfamiliar with steakhouse cuts or terminology. Many steakhouses offer online menus for browsing. Don't hesitate to ask your server for recommendations or clarification on any menu items.
• Navigating Steak Options: Consider your preferences when choosing your steak. Filet mignon is ideal for those who prioritize tenderness, while ribeye offers a bolder flavor with its rich marbling. New York strip provides a good balance and is suitable for a range of cooking temperatures.
• Doneness Preference: Specify your desired doneness level when ordering your steak. Here's a quick guide:It's important to note that preference plays a big role. If you're unsure, medium rare is generally recommended to best experience the flavor and texture of the steak.
  • Rare: A cool, red center with a warm exterior (120°F)
  • Medium Rare: A warm red center with a seared exterior (130°F)
  • Medium: A slightly pink center with a cooked exterior (140°F)
  • Medium Well: Mostly cooked with a hint of pink in the center (150°F)
  • Well Done: Cooked throughout with no pink remaining (160°F)
• Exploring Accompaniments: Don't underestimate the power of side dishes to elevate your steak experience. Consider balancing out your protein-rich steak with lighter options like roasted vegetables or a simple salad. For a decadent indulgence, share a side of creamed spinach or truffle fries.
• Wine Pairings: Many steakhouses boast extensive wine lists featuring a diverse selection of reds that pair beautifully with steak. If you're unfamiliar with wine pairings, consult your server for recommendations based on your chosen steak and your taste preferences.
• Embrace the Experience: Savoring a perfectly cooked steak at a luxurious steakhouse is an experience to be savored. Relax, take your time, and indulge in every delicious bite.

By following these tips, you can ensure an unforgettable and delightful dining experience at Tysons' premier steakhouses. So go forth, discerning diner, and explore the world of exquisite cuts, impeccable service, and the art of the perfect steak in Tysons, Virginia.

I am planning to make a bunch of different meal like Mac and cheese, lasagna, meat pie, etc. And I'd like to be able to freeze them, take them out when we want to eat it and put it directly in the oven. So, ideally something with a lid (so I can stake them) that can take high temperature change, I don't need the lid to be oven proof though.
Do you know any brand that fit those criteria? Right now, I use the cheap aluminum plate with plastic lid but the lid breaks under any pressure and the plate is very hard to clean and get completely twisted.

I have done my research, but I wanted to check with the experts and see if I'm overlooking anything. This is what I plan to stick to for 3 weeks:
Breakfast:

1. Traditional Breakfast: Eggs, Bacon, Hashbrown or Gluten Free Toast
2. Oatmeal: Oats w/Natural PB, Strawberries, Chia Seeds, Maple Syrup

Lunch:

1. Mediterranean Bowl: Long Grain White Rice, Chicken, Pickled red onions (small portion), Feta, Avocado (small portion), Sweet Potato, Homemade Hummus (small portion), Spinach
2. Burrito Bowl: Long Grain White Rice, Chicken, Black Beans (small portion), Cheddar Cheese, Avocado (small portion), Sweet Potato, Crystals Hot Sauce + Mayo homemade sauce

Dinner:

1. Loco Moco: Long grain white rice, Turkey burger, Fried egg, Gluten free gravy
2. Tuna Melt: Tuna, Gluten Free bread, mayo, butter, Crystals hot sauce
3. Curry Chicken: low FODMAP curry, chicken, coconut milk, tamari, fish sauce, lime, natural peanutbutter, red bell pepper

Snacks:

1. Grapefruit
2. Carmens Nut Chocolate Espresso Bar
3. Lactaid Ice Cream
4. Almonds

I have 3 dogs; 2 mini dachshunds and an elderly lab pit mix. My dachshunds have food allergies so I make their food. My elderly lab/pit has been having a lot of stomach problems with diarrhea and vomiting (been to vet and have changed food several times to correct but nothing store bought is working). This is the recipe I feed my little dogs and I was thinking of trying with my senior girl, I am just not sure how much to give her. She weighs around 75 lbs. I make about 20 lbs at a time in big batches and freeze what I am not using until 2 days ahead.
8 lbs browned Ground turkey 5 cups (uncooked measurement) of rice cooked per package directions 1 cup barley (uncooked measurement) cooked per package instructions 3 cans of green beans drained 2 bananas 1 pint of cottage cheese 1 large sweet potato baked or steamed until soft 1 cup frozen blueberries Two bags frozen peas and carrots Collagen powder supplement Glucosamine supplement.
I use a stick blender to combine it all and separate into 3ish pound containers. The littles eat a combined 8-10 oz a day split up in two servings each with a little dollop of plain Greek yogurt at night (for probiotics) on top.

I have been sober since last Monday. For the last few days, my appetite has gotten a little crazy. Today I made the mistake of just having a sweet potato and some cheese for lunch, and by 3 I was warming up a bowl of chili and multiple tortillas.
Right now, I'm just letting it ride, but this need to binge on food has made me realize how much I used to use food as an escape before I ever started drinking. I was never overweight, probably due to my level of activity, metabolism, and relatively healthy food options at home (thanks mom) but it is clearly something else that I'm going to need to work on now that I'm older.

Telling your children that you can't buy them fruit because it's too expensive while simultaneously buying them junk food.
If you can afford potato chips and chocolate you can afford fruit you're just choosing the junk food over the fruit. Infact sometimes the sweets and chocolate is MORE expensive then fruit- it's just fruit sometimes takes longer to prepare. Even if the fruit is more expensive, like your kid wants the bougie fruit, that's like what an extra couple dollars?
When I was younger I loved, grapes, clementine, mango, strawberries- but I was always told they were too expensive and we're going to buy chocolate bars instead. How come you can afford to give me string cheese, a chocolate bar, and a pack of potato chips for every school day but we cant afford oranges? Not having money for snacks is 1 thing, and that's understandable but you have money for snacks you're just choosing the unhealthy ones because it dosnt require any preparation. Matter of fact Fruit dosnt even require THAT much preparation, like really? You're so busy you don't have time to peel an orange? It's not like your child is asking you to make a steak, or a roast dinner- like you just have to wash it and put it on a plate.

Hi all, my toddler has high PTH and her GFR is around 40 due to a genetic kidney condition. Her blood phosphorous, potassium, calcium, iron etc are all in normal range but her nephrologist wants to help get the PTH down using low phosphorus diet because we keep having to increase the calcitriol dosage.
I’m going nuts trying to figure out how to feed a picky toddler on the bottom of the growth chart on this diet. We do strictly avoid fast food, sodas, and processed sweets.
I’ve come to realize basically all of her favorite breakfast and lunch foods are higher in phosphorus: quesadilla, grilled cheese, whole milk, dino nuggets, yogurt, eggs (with yolk), salmon, peanut butter. For dinner she eats what we eat like spaghetti, pot pie, broccoli beef etc.
Anybody have quick kid friendly lunch ideas for toddlers? We are usually so busy and it’s really hard not to go for the quick processed foods.

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6.4 oz georgian sausage made of beef and pork, 190g mashed potatoes in georgian pomegranate sauce, 94g georgian cheese bread. carrots for micros lol it was from Mealz NYC

So for the past 4 days all i have ate is chicken and curly frys but i know that its not healthy. My parents and sister are all eating salads and because of sensory issues, i cant eat them. I love chicken, potatoes, cheese and pasta. But any food suggestions cant have tomatoes or very leafy greens cus those are nono foods for me. Please i need to have new meals and healthy, but I have absolutely no clue what to eat! Please and suggestions will be appreciated:)

So for the past 4 days all i have ate is chicken and curly frys but i know that its not healthy. My parents and sister are all eating salads and because of sensory issues, i cant eat them. I love chicken, potatoes, cheese and pasta. But any food suggestions cant have tomatoes or very leafy greens cus those are nono foods for me. Please i need to have new meals and healthy, but I have absolutely no clue what to eat! Please and suggestions will be appreciated:)

So for the past 4 days all i have ate is chicken and curly frys but i know that its not healthy. My parents and sister are all eating salads and because of sensory issues, i cant eat them. I love chicken, potatoes, cheese and pasta. But any food suggestions cant have tomatoes or very leafy greens cus those are nono foods for me. Please i need to have new meals and healthy, but I have absolutely no clue what to eat! Please and suggestions will be appreciated:)

So for the past 4 days all i have ate is chicken and curly frys but i know that its not healthy. My parents and sister are all eating salads and because of sensory issues, i cant eat them. I love chicken, potatoes, cheese and pasta. But any food suggestions cant have tomatoes or very leafy greens cus those are nono foods for me. Please i need to have new meals and healthy, but I have absolutely no clue what to eat! Please and suggestions will be appreciated:)

So for the past 4 days all i have ate is chicken and curly frys but i know that its not healthy. My parents and sister are all eating salads and because of sensory issues, i cant eat them. I love chicken, potatoes, cheese and pasta. But any food suggestions cant have tomatoes or very leafy greens cus those are nono foods for me. Please i need to have new meals and healthy, but I have absolutely no clue what to eat! Please and suggestions will be appreciated:)

Please note this is the original submission I sent Refinery29. In the current post,they have given me a second credit card with a 100$ balance, as well as generational trauma from World War II and cut context for other things. I am trying to get that fixed.
Per previous discussion in comments here: The espresso machine is a Bezzera, which ranges from 2-5K. We got ours on sale for 1.7K, it’s a work house and we use it everyday, still hurts that we spent that money on a coffee maker.
I do understand mortgage is debt but when you compare it to rent to a lesser value condo in Vancouver it feels like not debt at all, which is how I tend to think of it. Yes I owe my mortgage but also I get my house instead of renting-which may not have become clear.
Please see in full the diary, below (edit for formatting via mobile)
Occupation: Sr Business Analyst
Industry: Tech
Age: 30
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
Salary: 92,000$ (Spouse makes 60,000$ for a combined income of 152,000$ before tax)
Net Worth: ~ 1.2 Million ( house is valued at 989,000$ currently, we have a combined 150,000 in pension, and ~60,000 in various company stocks, and GICs)
Debt: 3,000$ in a zero interest credit card for a 10 month period. We balanced transferred and pay 400$/month. Debt was acquired in Q4 2023 when we had to buy Snow Tires, and do a full break replacement as well as Christmas. 480,000$ in a mortgage, we refinanced in September 2023 for five years fixed rate at accelerated biweekly, however I don’t consider our mortgage debt due to the equity we are gaining, and that our mortgage for a five bedroom, 3 bath single family home is less than rent for a two bedroom condo in Vancouver
Paycheck Amount (Every 2 Weeks): 2,555$ after taxes. (Just mine). Spouse makes 2,308$ after taxes. Our pay periods are alternating.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses Mortgage: 1450$ biweekly (100$ extra to the principal).
Utilities: ~200$ (includes water [paid quarterly], hydro [paid bimonthly], gas, sewetrash [paid quarterly] phone [highly discounted due to work plans for spouse and myself] and car gas) Loan Payments: 400$/Credit Card
Car Insurance: 84$
Life Insurance: 167$ combined (67$ me, 100$ spouse)
Health & Dental Insurance: 60$ deducted from pay (coverage for myself and spouse from my employer. Spouse also has coverage for both of us deducted from pay)
Retirement Contribution: 400$ (Employee matches me), (Spouse has a defined pension through work and contributes ~200$ month)
Union fees: 70$ Spouse
Subscriptions: Crave 22$/month (Recent splurge for Binge watching the Rookie), Playstation Plus 100$ (annual bought on Black Friday Deal), Amazon Prime 80$ (Annual), BCAA 120$ (annual) Gym 30$/month (we both have one so 15$/pp)
Note: My spouse and I have completely commingled finances. I will be tracking both as it’s essentially I spent whatever they spent
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
There was always the expectation. My father was very clear, we were very smart. There was no way we’d be wasting our potential. He wanted me to be a lawyer, but unlike other immigrant parents, I got to choose my major and went into social sciences and got my masters in history. I deferred my PhD too much so I got dropped by the program.
I chose my university by where I got a full first year scholarship and then after that took about 15k in student loans for my undergraduate. My parents paid my rent and I got a part time job for food.
For my masters, I had a student line of credit and 5 k student loans otherwise it was all my savings and scholarships. With the line of credit, I had a total of 30K in student loans and paid it off in about four years.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances?
Save. We talked about how you get a dollar allowance and half of it goes into long term saving with 25% in short term and 25% in spend.
Investing came after I was eighteen. Family would like us to invest in property, however I don’t really want to be a landlord, but also we wouldn’t get to really enjoy profit of owning a rental property due to other family circumstances.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
Ice cream parlour I was twelve and my parents made me get it for responsibility. I lasted three weeks because I hated it.
Did you worry about money growing up?
I grew up thinking we were not rich, because we didn’t get big plane vacations (I didn’t count flying from Toronto to Vancouver every summer as a vacation since we were just seeing family but staying in a house my parents owned) and I had only been to Disney twice.
But we had a big new build house in the rich end of town, my mom stayed home to raise all of us. We had to work for things (like going to see a movie opening night or a new CD) but we always had money and got what we wanted. In retrospect, my family was/is fairly well off.
Both my parents grew up poor, with parents working multiple jobs and different shifts to make ends meet, the strive/drive to not have that childhood, and for my father to be able to retire his parents really impacted mine and my siblings and cousins lives. My father showed me the apartment he grew up in Chinatown a few years back. It’s light years away from the house my grandparents owned when I was a kid and how I grew up.
Do you worry about money now?
Of course. Inflation is real and we are actively planning a wedding for the next year, as well as a baby in the next few years. We also need to buy a second car, so we’re saving for that.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
Fully financially responsible? Twenty five. I lived in a family property where I didn’t pay rent in one of the most expensive cities in Canada, so even though I paid all my bills (food and phone), I didn’t have to pay rent. I in fact made money, as I rented rooms out and used the income for house utilities, and paying my student loans down faster. When I moved in with my spouse, I just paid condo fees until we bought our house two years ago which gave me plenty of time to save.
Our financial safety net is family, and our savings. I know my family would bail us out. My spouse’s father would as well. Conversely, we are my spouse’s mother's safety net and we have to keep all our plans in mind that we will be subsidising her.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. Yes, I received 50K from my parents once they sold my childhood home, as did both of my siblings. I have also received 10K from one set of grandparents which paid off my car and part of my student loans when I was 21. I will be receiving another inheritance when probate is done for around ~100K. My spouse also has received inheritance which allowed them to buy their first condo in their early twenties when the market was much better. That condo, 50k, and the subsequent upgrading helped us afford our house.
Day 1
10 AM: I drive to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. Not how I want to start my Sunday morning but y’know. Normally I’d walk since it’s about 20 minutes but I have a UTI. I’m “lucky” that despite not having a dr because of the health care shortage, my work pays for the Maple app so I could get a dr to write the prescription and order the lab work at 1 am. I’ll do the lab work later this week when I can get an appointment but will take the relief now. Insurance makes the antibiotics free, but I also buy hydrogen peroxide because we’re out and we have a dog that thinks everything is meant to be in her mouth. We’ll buy a bigger one at Costco later. I also bought some oral wound mouthwash because we were out. I come home and my spouse made us breakfast.
Total: 15.90$ paid with debit.
1-2:30 PM: We do our taxes. I have a mini meltdown when I realize the part time bakery job I had for a few months didn’t take off income tax last year, so I owe 800$. Luckily, my partner is getting a refund so we net out positive 400$. The bakery took off income tax in 2022, so unsure why they didn’t in 2023. I made us lunch.
3-6:30 PM: We walk the dog, and watch the Rookie. Some time during that time period, a venue emails us back and is surprisingly affordable at 3k. I also get told that the tattoo artist I want to book with, has not chosen me.
6:30-7:30 PM: I explain what lazy girl dinner is to my spouse and make a lazy girl dinner. After not really grocery shopping since Feb for things besides fresh veg, we need to do a big pantry shop and neither of us want that. We debate about buying a food saver and if we should wait for a sale. My spouse is more frugal than me and has determined we should.
8-9:30 PM: We start season 3 of The Rookie, and then after two episodes we go to bed
Day One Total: 15.90$
Day Two
5:45-8 AM: Wake up and start work. I get up to date with what’s happened on the weekend and check that my automated reports. Sometime before 6:30, I get the kettle on for my spouse’s pour over before I go back to my meetings. There’s a twenty minute gap where I get changed and do my skin care and brush my teeth. I’d love to be a skin care person but honestly I’ve spent too much money on product that I don’t use and that just goes bad. Washing my face and using sun screen is a win.
I also make sure that Spouse’s lunch is in his bag and I get our travel mugs ready. Before, we used to go to Starbucks every day. Starbucks used to do free refills on coffee and tea if you were a rewards member if you bought a coffee or tea so it would cost us $5/day (2.5/pp), and we could get refills all day. While that’s 20$/week, 80$/a month and yes, we could have saved it but back then, that 80$ wasn’t turning the dial anywhere significantly for us—a privileged view.
But now, after COVID where I stopped drinking tea after one day working from home having like 10 cups and thinking I was dying, and Spouse has bought a good grinder and we recently splurged on a stupidly expensive espresso machine we call his Engagement Espresso since it costs the same price as my stupidly expensive ring, we bring our coffees.
8-8:30 AM: We drive to work. Prior to buying our house, we were both work from home and lived in a city with amazing transit. We only needed the one car. Since buying the house and moving to a city where public transit is a joke (the one bus goes past our house every 1.5h), Spouse changed jobs and is in office every day and I have to go in 3 days a week. We need a second car or the e-bike rebate to come through. We debate this in the car, since I’m done at 1 pm, and Spouse works normal hours, I either have to take the bus home, or go to the gym for three hours. Today though, I drop Spouse off. I will pick him up later as he has a half day because of the dentist
8:30-12:30 AM/PM: Work. I find a tech manager and ask them to get me more triple a batteries. Work won’t provide or let me expense batteries for my mouse, despite them replacing my usb mouse with a battery one. The poor admin had to tell me the decision is that we’ll all supply our own batteries. Luckily the tech managers have to have batteries on hand and give them out freely.
I ask my boss how the work from home tax forms work, and he is going to find out.
I run more meetings and work on a request for a dashboard and a business case for a new feature that I have to convince leadership to spend money on.
12:30-1 PM: I drive back to my Spouse because he has a dentist appointment.
While I wait for a spouse, I am incredibly hungry. I’m usually not hungry/don’t eat a proper meal until around 1 in the afternoon and my two granola bars I already ate at the office. I go to the bakery by Spouse’s work and buy a cheese bun for me (3.65$), and an apple pie scone (2.55$) for Spouse as a snack. Spouse points out he won’t be able to eat until after his appointment.
Total: 6.20$ debit
1-1:30 PM: I drop Spouse off, and the car stops working. The engine won’t catch. I try multiple times and then run into the dentist to dramatically announce to Spouse and the receptionists that the car won’t start. Spouse asks me what he wants me to do about this, since he’s about to go into an appointment. A very kind receptionist tells me it might be the alternator. I don’t know what that is.
I go back to the car to Facetime my father. He also asks what I think he can do to help since he lives 3000 km away. Weirdly, and sexistly, I thought a man who grew up at race tracks, in a racing family, or the man who has collected and worked on sports cars for forty years might be able to help.
Spouse texts me to remind me we have BCAA while my father also tells me that. I finally get the engine to catch and drive the very long way home, going the speed limit and getting stuck in traffic, construction and a bus. It takes me 20 minutes to get home instead of 10.
1:30-2:30 PM: I walk the dog, mail a (late) birthday card and then start researching what an alternator is. The car is over a decade old and until the house, the most expensive thing I ever bought at 12K back in 2015. We have the funds for the cost, but it’s my first car and the fact it might be the end of its life is scary.
Alternators can cost between 400-800$ repair with labour, so that’s fun.
My dad calls me back and apologises for asking me what he could do away. He advises me that there’s probably a bald spot on the alternator and advises me to go to the mechanic to check or replace it, if the car doesn’t start again.
I call the mechanic to book an appointment, and to also get the snow tires off and to buy new rims for the snow tires. The mechanic lets me know that the alternator part is 500$, and an hour of labour so with taxes we’re looking at around 700$
That future appointment next week (we’re going down a highway this weekend which requires snow tires) will cost ~1.5K, assuming we replace the alternator.
I make lunch and sigh.
2:30 PM: The car starts thankfully. I drive incredibly slow. I pick up Spouse by idling the car. We get an email back from a venue saying they cost 75,000$ minimum. The timing is hysterical.
Due to the nature of the dentist, Spouse owes 618$, as they haven’t flipped it under my insurance. They split it in half, as he has a follow up in two weeks. After the next appointment they will flip the whole amount under me and we’ll get reimbursed for the whole amount.
Total 309$/credit card.
3-10 PM: We walk the dog, make dinner (Spouse makes white sauce pasta, with chicken and peas) and watch The Rookie. There are thirteen episodes in season three, and we will be busy every night this week besides Friday and Sunday, and I would like to finish season three so we can start season 4 next Monday. I don’t want to pay for more than one month of Crave. We have five episodes left
Day Two Total: 315.2$
Day Three
1 AM: 100$ is automatically transferred from our account to the credit card debit. We have an auto transfer of 100$/every Tuesday to a Visa where we balance transferred both our cards. We have an offer for 0 interest for 10 months, so we did that for some of the bigger expenses (snow tires, break replacement and general Christmas) and are on track to pay it back within the next 6 months. That visa is our emergency card that we just have in the back end and utilise for promos like this. It allows us to keep our two cards balances manageable and lets us pay in an easier way than taking big chunks out of our various savings.
Total: 100$/direct deposit
5:45-9 AM: Work. Meetings, reports, trying to convince a colleague that the process does include them and refusal to follow it means that their requests won’t be done. Spouse has another half day so I can go into the office at my leisure—if the car starts
9-9:20 AM: The car starts, I get into the office and refresh a data flow before a meeting with a new stake holder. It takes longer to drive into work today because the tourists are starting to come and their van builds or campers are not exactly highway speed and with a two lane highway, if you don’t merge over fast enough you’re stuck.
10:05-10:20 AM: Meeting done, car starts again and I drive home for more meetings. The least amount of time in the office is preferable for me.
10:30-11AM : Meeting with my manager where we discuss future salary and promotion. I am due for a promotion in the start of Q2, which would push me to six figures. I’ll believe it when I see it but, I’m really excited at that possibility for my family.
11:15 AM: Spouse leaves for work, we discuss what groceries are needed, as well if he’ll go to Home Depot tonight to buy more clover seeds for the yard, as we need to reseed before it starts raining. I eat a muffin and my dog and cat decide to try and eat each other.
11:15-1:30 PM: Work runs late. There’s some issues with the data and we can’t figure it out. We call it a night, and I’ll record the video presentations tomorrow, once we fix the data.
1:30-4 PM: Nap time! It’s bad for me, but honestly I don’t sleep well during the night so naps are what keep me alive.
4-6 PM I prep dinner (smash burgers and fries), and get chores done and walk the dog.
6-7:30 PM: Spouse comes home, we eat dinner. Groceries come to 96.83 for two 7 pound pork loins, two packs of bacon, chicken nuggets, coffee, pop, 8 pack of peppers, milk, tomato, pickles, rice, avocado, mushrooms, sour cream and lettuce.
Not too bad, we average about 300$/month in groceries because we can buy bulk and have a second freezer.
For the month of March we are currently at 123.61$ for groceries and there is twelve days left. We went on a small weekend away, so we ate out a fair bit but even then our current food budget is 272.27$ today.
Total: 96.83/ debit
7:30-10 PM: Spouse makes a coffee and plays video games with his friends. They do it every week. I have a shower, fold and put away laundry and read in bed.
Day Three Total: 196.83
Day Four
1AM: Our biweekly accelerated mortgage payment comes out of 1450$. I’m tracking it here to be honest on our spending but I tend not to think of it as money spent because in my head it’s already money gone. To pay for a house equivalent in Vancouver, the mortgage would be over 6k. Renting a two bedroom condo would be 3K. It feels like the mortgage is just cheaper rent, even though each time I own more of my house.
5:45-9 AM: Work. I find out the limits of how many people I can invite to a Teams Meeting as well as that the Thursday before Good Friday is a catholic holiday when a few people ask me to reschedule a training forum for over a thousand people. Sometime in there I make us coffee, make sure Spouse has lunch packed (leftovers). Spouse has walked the dog and has the recycling and compost out for pick up. I drop Spouse off at work.
10-11:45 AM: I leave the office for home and more meetings. I walk the dog and go record training videos. I get an email that Amazon is doing their big spring sale. I send a link to a robot mop and vaccum that’s on a big discount to Spouse. We want one, but I’m not in charge of the research on it. I send links to play grounds to my friends with toddlers
11:45-12:30 PM : I shove lunch in my mouth, last night’s left overs. I’m running late, and decide to get myself later by collecting all the random dishes and mugs that just show up places and start the dishwasher. I get to the lab ten minutes early but need to buy gas on the way home.
I tell my team I’ll be MIA for a bit and leave the work phone in the car.
I buy 15.6L of gas for 30$ at 1.879/l it sucks. I don’t fill up because we’re going to my in laws this weekend and there’s a Costco Gas Bar there.
Total: 30$/credit card
12:30-1:30 PM: Work goes long again.
1:30-2:30 PM: Nap!
2:30-4:30 PM: Walk the dog and drive to the gym. I usually go three times a week but with last week’s weekend away and this week’s weird half days from Spouse, today’s the only day. I make it up by doing both upper and lower body and a 30 minute circuit.
4:30-7:30 PM: I pick up Spouse and we go to Costco. We pick up nachos, ham, cheese buns and some other items. We debate buying our friend’s kid a toddler set of clothes and decide no. We end up buying work pants for Spouse, and a garden hose. It comes out to 116.90
I order our Costco dinner of hot dogs and fries for a grand total date night of 6.41$
Total: 123.31/ credit card
8-9 PM: Dance class! We bought a series of six lessons of introduction to ballroom back in December for a new date night idea. We paid 60$/pp and this is the fifth lesson tonight.
9 pm: We’re home, we let the dog out. Spouse spends an undetermined amount of time watching ballroom videos while I sleep.
Day Four Total: 1603.31$ or 153.31 excluding the mortgage payment.
Day Five
5:45-9 AM: Work. All the meetings. Thursday is the meeting day. I debate with a friend what’s the earliest call we’ve had. 4:30 am still wins. I pack lunch for Spouse and his coffee and he leaves. I end up cleaning up cat puke as the cat decides to drink milk from Spouse’s cereal and vomit it up on camera in a meeting.
9-9:30 AM: I make myself a matcha and walk the dog.
9:30-1 PM: Work and I treat myself to a lunch of a cheese bun and ham sandwhich. We used to eat it every Sunday while growing up but the cost of ham has been outrageous. The deal at Costco yesterday was 1.5$/100 g which is really good.
1-1:30 PM: I seal the wooden deer Christmas decoration we bought last year. It sits outside our front door and needs to be weather proofed, and I’ve been putting it off for five months. But the weather is good and we have newspapers. We have left over wood sealer after the sign we bought a year ago so I use that. The dog and the cat both don’t like my wooden deer.
1:30-4 PM: Nap!
4-5 PM: I basically just watch youtube and drink a root beer. I have no energy.
5-6:30 PM: Spouse comes home, we walk the dog and I make dinner (Kraft Dinner and nuggets–I swear we eat veggies but today is not that day). We discuss the possibility of our dog at our wedding as a flower girl, and if she’ll be in a tutu or a cheongsam like me. I am now researching if they make dog cheongsams and if she can match us. The cat, despite all my heart wanting it, won’t physically be there because he will have an anxiety attack and probably die.
6:30-10:30 PM: Board game night! We go to a friend’s to repeat the same scenario we’ve lost two weeks in a row.
10:30-11 PM: I pack Spouse’s breakfast (oatmeal and frozen berries), lunch (spicy tuna and mayo) since he’s trying to go to the gym before work, and feed the animals before we go to bed.
Day Five Total: 0$
Day Six Friday
5:45-9 AM: Work. I have a deep focus block which means I can get the script for the training I have to run. Public speaking is not my strong suit and it’s a group of a thousand people so I’m not looking forward to it. Spouse almost makes it to the gym. I get an email that my new work phone has shipped. I’m surprised because they wouldn’t order us any for the past four years, but I guess my new iPhone will show up next week. I might give my old work phone to my mother in law, since she smashed the camera on the phone we bought her last year.
9-9:30 AM: I walk the dog, make a matcha and make a todo list for what we have to get done before we leave to my in laws tomorrow. I text my mother in law happy birthday, and hope that she got the card in time. She did.
9:30-11:30 AM: My last meeting for the week ends and I’m debating calling it a day so I can nap. Instead I make lunch (cheese bun and ham), text my other mother in law our plan for Saturday, and unload and reload the dishwasher and go back to work for at least another hour.
12:30-1 PM: I shower and do skin care
1-3 PM: Nap! Somewhere in this time FedEx comes and since I’m sleeping, we have to pick up on Monday. I’m not too sure what it is, I assume it’s our custom address stamp from Etsy because that’s the only thing I’ve bought recently but not too sure. I just realized in retrospect, this might be my new work phone.
3-5 PM: I prep dinner (nachos), unload the dishwasher, pack my overnight bag and confirm all our venue tours by email. I start a load of laundry and do a quick clean. I feel like this is not the best image of our diet. I swear we generally eat healthy but we both have been feeling really blah over the past two weeks so have been going for quick and easy over healthy and balanced. I do have three whole peppers and two whole avocados in the nachos though.
5-7 PM: Spouse comes home, we walk the dog, have dinner, and plan out next week. We have a big Wednesday next week (mechanic, I have a nails appointment, dance class), and we are having our friends over for Easter so we need to prep for that. We pack the car so tomorrow is a very easy start.
Spouse also gets paid today. We’re lucky that we’re on alternating pay periods, we used to be on the same and it always felt stressful. Spouse also lets me know his union has secured a 3% cost of living raise to start in Q3. I really like his union for negotiating a base 2% year of cost of living raise, with potential addition raises depending on inflation. It’s a bit away but that’s still good news.
7:30-10:30 PM: We finish The Rookie Season 3 and head to bed. Crave reminds me that I have 10 days until I’m charged again. Sadly, I think we’ll have to pay for 2 months.
Day Six Total: 0
Day Seven Saturday
8:30-9:30 AM: Wake up. No one (except the dog) slept well so we’re not in a morning mood. Spouse makes coffee and walks the dog, while I finish packing the car and give the cat a lot of attention. Our first venue tour is at 11 and the one that is the most expensive (8-10K), but also the one we probably want the most. We live about an hour away but the highway is two lanes and one accident can back everything up for hours.
10:40-1 PM: We visit our dream venue. We stay way longer than expected. Basically if the quote is under 10K, we’ll get it. Just waiting now.
1-2 PM: We get to our in-laws and have a lunch of egg salad sandwhichs. We need to buy gas. My in laws drive us to a pottery painting store.
2-4 PM: We paint pottery. My mother in law only wanted to do this for her birthday. They’ll pick it up in a week after it’s been thrown. I paint a vase (28$), Spouse paints an Easter egg (18$), father in law paints a mug (30$), and mother in law paints a plate (50$)
Total:143.36/credit card
4-5 Pm: We see another venue. It’s an instant no. My in laws decide they want to try Korean fried chicken. We call ahead for take out to get two fries and 16 pieces of half and half. It comes to 50.83$ that my in laws pay for.
5-10 PM: We come back and see that our dog has pooped in their house and also has gotten into their pantry and eaten an entire bag of dog food. It is not a fun night.
We spend the night drinking wine and discussing the wedding and watching TV.
10PM: We go to bed. That’s the end of this week, but tomorrow we will be buying gas and probably lunch for my other mother in law as we will be touring another venue.
Day Seven Total: 143.36$

Last post here: https://www.reddit.com/MontereyBay/s/CAVt4gBIMJ
We had an amazing trip thank you for all the suggestions! Here's how the trip panned out:
Drive down:
First stop in pescadero at arcangeli grocery for yummy artichoke garlic sourdough. We were going to go to Harleys farms for fresh goat cheese and baby goats, but we weren't able to make it before they closed.
Next stop pie ranch. Unfortunately, we were also too late for any fresh pies or baked good. But bought some frozen chocolate pies which ended up not being that great. Would love to stop by here at an earlier time to get some fresh baked stuff.
Stopped at shark fin beach which was where I found some of my first shells and found a ceab in some little tide pools! Hold on to the end to see what I did with the shells.
On our way to the air bnb in carmel belly we stop at iliolis and grabbed a pizza. The air bnb was great and secluded but it was really far out there and not super convenient. This is the one thing I would change, I would have gotten a room at one of the cute hotels in carmel-by-the-sea. Much more central and easier to go back to the room if you need to.
Saturday
Headed out to point lobos for opening at 8 and and tide pools. Saw so many hermit crabs and a pool full of sea urchins.
Headed to carmel by the sea and got breakfast at one of the cafes ( I can't remember which one) I stopped at the three major bakeries there and got deserts for later that night. The lobster tail we got from one bakery and the cookie/croisannt from another one were my favorite.
Walked through the town and headed to the beach. Walked out on the beach for a little bit and then looked for the cottages.
Stopped in at the mission carmel and then grabbed lunch at one of the delis someone recommended (blanking on the name). Headed to lovers point beach for lunch, had to fight off a seagull from stealing my food and saw my first beechy squirrel which has 0 fear of humans.
Headed back to point lobos to check out some more beaches since we paid for the day and then back to our air bnb for a nap.
Dinner at sur at the ranch
Sunday
We had planned a horseback ride in carmel valley but the guy canceled on us the night before. Holding my breath to see if he actually refunds my deposit. We found a place near by us that we are going to reschedule that activity at a more reputable place. So we pivoted, took our time and headed out to breakfast at from scratch, which turned out to be closed. 222422 So we headed to the butter house, which had 106 ppl on their waiting list and a 2 hour wait. However, someone working there heard us asking to confirm that was correct and told us it was open seating at the bar and there were open seats. We got right in! French toast was delicious but biscuits and gravy were a little disappointing.
Headed to the monterey bay aquarium that a reditor gifted us tickets for! So grateful. Neither of us had been before so it was really cool to check out. Walked down cannery row and got some souvenirs for the kids.
Started the drive home and stopped at a farm stand where I spent $8 and got so much produce!
Stopped at the rip tide outlet and found some amazing deals. My husband lovingly let me know it was time to start wearing hats due to my.chemo hair loss and I got 3 hats for $30 all together that are normally $30 each.
Stopped at a beach just before shark fin cove and shell hunted for teeny tiny shells and sea glass for at least an hour.
Last stop was the famous taco bell in Pacifica. I felt gross after... but was so hungry!
What did I do with the shells? I took teeny tiny glass bottles and put the teeny tiniest of the shells and sea glass into the bottles. Gave them to my kids and told them if a day ever comes that I'm not here to be able to go to the beach with them, they can bring these glass jars and I'll be there with them.

I’m 6w6d and just a few days ago I started having food aversions and food cravings. Thinking about a majority of food makes me feel nauseous but I’m currently LOVING and always craving beef jerky, plain potato chips covered in Louisiana hot sauce, and sour candy. The food aversions really suck though especially since I’m already limited on what I can eat bc I have a mild allergy to dairy. And of course I’ve really been wanting Mac n cheese 😩😂
Sorry if the flair isn’t right lol I wasn’t sure on which one to use for this post.

The field was down to five and Van was very sad to see Anthony go as he was a great Chef but if it came down to him and Anthony then it was always gonna be his buddy going. The final five celebrated their journey they had all been on and Nikki noted she was nominated in the second service and thought going back may have been the worst decision of all time but Nick said everytime he'd worked with her she had been a beast and was very proud of her performance. Kanae told Paula she hoped the 2 of them could be the final 2 and Paula said Kanae had a great future in this industry but between the 5 of them, she didn't see much of a difference. Chef Ramsay welcomed the final 5 back and said this had been a journey for not only them but himself and said the next challenge was to show their abilities as an executive Chef as this was the pricing challenge with the final 5 given $20 to make a stunning dish and good value for money. Paula said she'd been an executive Chef for 15 years and had her own restaurant so this should be the challenge where she shines and Van said he'd been waiting for a challenge like this and he can make a great meal out of anything.
Chefs Suzanne Goin, Bruce Kalman and food editor Lesley Barker Suter were pricing each dish and Paula was up first with her striped bass and it got a very strong review from all 3 judges to score an average of $39.33 and Paula said that was as good as she could have wished for and said that there better be something sexy to beat her. Kanae was up next with her halibut and while the fish was cooked perfectly, it lacked acidity and the garnish was lacking and Kanae scored an average of $31.66 to end up easily behind Paula, and Kanae said this was clearly not the challenge for her. Van continued the trend of seafood with his swordfish and it also got great reviews other than the potatoes maybe being a bit too salty and Van got a strong average of $37 but was still behind Paula who was the chef to beat. Nikki was up next with her pork chop and despite how rustic the dish was, it got great reviews but scored an average of $37.66 to still be behind Paula and Nick was the last chef who could dethrone Paula. Nick's tuna was praised as well but scored an average of $36.66 to end up in 4th as Paula won the challenge! Paula was rewarded with a day on a fighter jet and was allowed to take 1 chef with her, and she took Nikki as she came second.
Nick, Kanae and Van had to clean the front of Hells Kitchen, as well as Marino's car and prep the kitchen for dinner service. Kanae was grumpy all punishment as she thought Paula would take her and Nick didn't understand why Kanae was so upset as Paula was being fair in taking Nikki as she came second and Van felt like the stress of the competition was getting to Kanae and it was time for not letting up as this was the furthest he had gone in Hells Kitchen and it felt good. Nikki and Paula enjoyed their day out and Nikki said she hoped to face off against Paula in the final 2 as she thought Paula was the best chef there and Paula noted it was funny both Nikki and Kanae had wanted to face off against her but she wasn't going to get over confident as with 5 left the pressure was gonna be on.
Chef Ramsay said he expected as good a service as last time and Nikki was running the appetizers station and her first risottos and tortellinis came out nice and Nick who was on meat with Van was happy to assist with the salads and tartares to get the first 6 top out as Chef Ramsay said it was a great start. Paula was on fish and said this was going to be her hardest station by herself as Ramsay was pushing the tickets fast and she did get her first scallops out but trying to cook apps and entrees at the same time became an issue and admitted she needed help from Nick as Nikki was good on appetizers with help from Van. Paula started to have communication issues as she didn't respond to Nikki and Nikki was surprised that a chef as strong as Paula was getting so flustered and Chef Ramsay had to finally force a response out of Paula. Paula then got confused and fired an order of scallops with Nikki still 2 minutes out on risotto which saw Ramsay calling for risotto and wondering why he had scallops dying in the window now. Paula admitted she wasn't talking with Nikki and Nick at all and said she was going to fire fresh scallops and the ticket was finally completed as Nikki and Nick completed appetizers to give the black jackets a pretty strong start. Kanae was on garnish and determined to show herself as a leader and Van on the meat station was instantly stunned at the high orders of fillets and despite Nick trying to help him, Van said he was fine which made Nick nervous as he had 6 fillets to cook for the next 2 tables. Kanae said she was good on garnish but Paula said she was behind on pork so to not walk garnish but Kanae ignored her and walked garnish anyway and Paula was fuming at the communication as Ramsay was now demanding to know where the pork was! Paula managed to serve her pork but 1 of Van's fillets was RARE.
Nick said it was ridiculous that Van was not asking for help as he had an insane amounts of fillets and lamb to cook and Van finally asked for Nick's help even though he said he hated needing help on his station. Nick got him organized but Van then served his refire fillet and there was no sauce and Van realized he hadn't fired enough sauce, and Nick said there was meant to be 2 of them on there and it was Van's own fault for getting behind. Van did finally get his sauce hot to complete the table but Ramsay was not slowing down to push the next tickets out and Kanae now was flustered, forgetting what garnish she was cooking and struggling to respond to Van and getting completely lost on her station. Kanae did manage to get her garnish out but Paula was now dragging on turbot and when she pulled it out of the pan it was overcooked and dry. Paula's timing was well off and now Nick was jumping onto fish to help Paula get organized but the refire turbot came out to complete the table. Kanae wanted to show herself as the leader but called 6 all day on salmon but Paula corrected that to 4 and Van was now confusing things by calling the wrong all day on duck and Nick wondered what the fuck was going on. Chef Ramsay jumped in to tell them all to stop talking and called the real all day and while Paula and Van managed to get it together, Kanae ended up behind on garnish again and almost killed the table with Ramsay wondering where the fuck the fries were. Kanae finally bounced back and the rest of the black jackets did get their act together to finish service with Van's last duck and chicken as well as Paula's salmon perfect but Chef Ramsay said that was not what he expected at this stage!
Chef Ramsay said it wasn't a terrible service but the communication at times was a joke and asked for 2 nominees. Nick said there was no way him and Nikki were going up and it was between the other 3. Nikki said she hated voting for Paula but felt like she had the worst service tonight and Paula agreed it was a rough night as Nikki voted for Paula and Kanae. Nick voted for Paula and Van and this led to the other 3 all voting for everyone else and Van said if anyone needs to go home tonight it was Kanae as she confused everyone tonight. Kanae was livid with Van as she had nothing sent back while Paula was firing scallops too early, overcooking turbot while Van was fucking up fillets and this led to an argument between Van and Kanae as Van angrily said he was swamped by steaks and only messed up 1 and to cut that noise. At elimination Nick called Paula as the 1st nominee but said it was tied between Van and Kanae for the 2nd nominee and a furious Ramsay called all 3 of them forward! Ramsay said this was a very hard decision but eliminated KANAE for failing as a leader tonight but said her passion and fight were exceptional and told her to keep her jacket. Van said he was happy to survive especially as Nick wanted him gone and when he beats Nick to the prize it was time for humble pie and Paula said there was no time for slip ups at this stage and to get redemption after 16 years would be the best moment of her life.
Vote HERE for the next 2 chefs to be eliminated!
https://strawpoll.com/kogjk0xevZ6
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