Episode 4 of Top Chef Chicago on Bravo TV was all about meshing technique with imagination. In the end, gentlemanly chef Manuel paid the price for his partner Spike’s lack of both. Manuel is out and classically trained molecular gastronomist Richard was Top Chef of the night thanks to his team’s whimsical take on a salmon dish inspired by Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.

This episode began with a rather mundane Quickfire Challenge. Guest judge, French Chef Daniel Boulud, asked them to create a vegetable plate showcasing classic techniques, including three specific techniques designed to impress the reknowned French chef. Boulud says technique is the foundation of any worthy chef.

We learned that front-runner Richard and pretty boy Ryan both worked for Chef Boulud at some point in their careers. But Ryan brushed it off saying his stint with Boulud didn’t last long because it wasn’t his style of cooking. (For a short biography of each chef competing in season 4 click here .)

Most of the chefs seemed intimidated by this challenge. Lisa said “classical” isn’t her style. (I’m getting the feeling that applies to ANYTHING she doesn’t like to do.) In the end Chef Boulud’s least favorites were Nikki’s use of endive as a boat (too simple). Lisa’s plate was deemed too cluttered and unfocused and Manuel’s plate did not express enough technique. Chef Boulud called it “level one”.

Chef Boulud’s favorites were Zoi’s poached egg plate, Dale’s sushi-inspired plate and Richard’s presentation-heavy vegetable plate. Dale won immunity by showing off what Chef Boulud called “amazing knife skills”.

Next it was onto the Elimination Challenge. The chefs learned they would create a six-course dinner in honor of Chicago-based film critic Richard Roeper (who, I might add, looks much younger and hotter in a relaxed setting than he does during his reviews) and for actress Aisha Tyler. The chefs had to pair up with each team creating a course inspired by a favorite movie. Since there were 13 chefs still in the running, Dale got to select which team he’d like to be on. He choose to be with early favorite Richard and fast-talking Andrew on the first-course.

First-course: Richard, Andrew and Dale chose to create a dish inspired by the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The dish featured salmon with a white chocolate-wasabi sauce accompanied with a fizzy celery drink. Andrew predicted the guests and judges would “culinarily crap their pants” other chefs grumbled that the combination of fish and chocolate sounded gross. The judges were skeptical until they tasted it. They loved the dish marveling at how a delicate starter could have so much whimsy and impact at the same time. Chef Boulud chose team leader Richard as the overall winner of the challenge.

Second-course: Spike and Manuel chose to create their dish with inspiration from the movie Good Morning Vietnam. The dish featured Vietnamese summer rolls with Chilean sea bass, green apple and a garnish of swiss chard for a pickle effect. The judges were not at all impressed suggesting that they only picked the movie to justify making a dish that Spike was comfortable with. The judges said the dish didn’t seem expensive enough, that the fish was too overpowering for a summer roll and that the swiss chard was a pointless addition to the plate. Spike took the lead on the dish but it was Manuel who paid the price. After admitting that he followed Spike’s lead because he was interested in learning more about Vietnamese cuisine the judges decided it was his turn to go home. In one of the most gracious exit speeches ever on Top Chef Manuel thanked everyone for the experience and the chance to expand his skills.

Third-course: Nikki and Jen created an Italian dish inspired by the film Il Postino. While the guests, including an adamant Richard Roeper, enjoyed the rustic appearance and flavors in their ricotta, pecorino tortellini dish, the judges didn’t think much of it. Still it was good enough to keep them out of the bottom two.

Fourth-course: Odd couple Ryan and Mark could not at first decide on a film to use as a spring board. Ryan’s taste runs towards movies like Dumb and Dumber while kiwi Mark likes Mad Max and Crazy Bad. Somehow it popped into Ryan’s head to use A Christmas Story as inspiration, particularly the scene where the dog eats the turkey and the family ends up in a Chinese restaurant eating duck for Christmas. Since there was no turkey or duck to be found at Whole Foods, they settled on quail. The quail was used in a delicious sounding spring roll with a carrot puree sauce. The judges LOVED the dish calling it “complex and beautiful”. The judges also appreciated how well Mark and Ryan tied the movie into the dish. As good as it was, it wasn’t enough to win. The pair finished somewhere in the middle.

Fifth-course: Antonia and Zoi used the Spanish film Talk to Her as the theme for their Spanish-inspired rack of lamb dish. I think their biggest mistake was how they sold the movie and the dish. The movie is about two strong-willed and fiery women. They sold their dish as colorful, vibrant and strong. The judges seemed to think it was mediocre at best. The pair finished in the bottom two but managed to stay afloat another week. In an Oh Snap moment Zoi refused to accept the judges take on their dish saying that Dale, Richard and Andrew’s white chocolate-wasabi salmon dish had to be much worse since it sounded so unappetizing. Zoi’s real-life girlfriend Jen looked pained as she watched that little pity party play itself out.

Sixth-Course: Stephanie and Lisa used the Val Kilmer movie Top Secret as a launchpad for their Asian-inspired braised beef dish with a savory carmel apple sauce. It sounds kind of gross but the judges absolutely loved it. The two women finished in the top two.

Again it was Richard’s Willy Wonka chocolate salmon dish that helped his team win. Richard was chosen as the overall winner as well. Manuel’s inability to reign in Spike’s so-so Vietnamese summer roll dish was what sent him home (somewhat unfairly, I think).

This was a dull show overall but next week’s episode promises to ramp up the drama. The preview had at least three different chefs fighting with each other. The next new episode of Top Chef Chicago airs Wednesday night at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.