In the eighth week of competition on 'Top Chef Masters' (Wed., 10PM ET on Bravo), the chefs were tasked with a breakfast challenge, using a microwave. This is far harder than you might think if you break down all the traditional breakfast foods. This isn't a toaster pastry after all.

Later, they took on a science-based challenge, with each chef being presented with a lab assistant and ingredients representing a scientific principle. The goal was to make a meal that was delicious as well as demonstrating the principle.

Padma Lakshmi joined the judging panel on this challenge, which netted some interesting results. Do we really need to incorporate a science lesson into a cooking show?

In the third-season premiere of 'Top Chef Masters' (Wed., 11PM ET on BRAVO), the 12 contestants' first Elimination Challenge was a Restaurant War. Team Leela impressed the three judges critics on the appetizer, but then disaster struck. The main course was "missing in action."

"The critics' tickets [came] in right at the busiest time of the whole evening," but the chefs working the kitchen eventually dropped all other orders to cook the dishes that would really count.

Unfortunately, their entrees were decidedly not worth the wait. The lamb was too rare. And Curtis Stone discovered an apple slice still had the sticker on it!

['Top Chef Masters' - 'Restaurant Wars']

Never let it be said that Bravo is resting on their laurels when it comes to the 'Top Chef' franchise. Just a week after 'Top Chef All-Stars' wrapped, here comes 'Top Chef Masters.' This is the third season, and the producers have revamped the concept dramatically.

The new host is Aussie chef Curtis Stone, who's also on NBC's 'America's Next Great Restaurant,' so either he's totally determined to be a star, or somebody at NBC Universal is invested in his success.