Mirando Advances To Top Six

Holtsville's Frank Mirando survived yet another round of elimination on Fox's "Master Chef" last night, securing his position in the top six. Last night he wowed the judges, including guest star and beloved southern chef, Paula Deen.

The stockbroker has managed to stay at the top of the crop for a few episodes in a row, but never won an opening challenge. Last night he broke the skid, as his Chicken Roulade took southern cooking and twisted it into a fresh, modern interpretation that impressed all the judges for its flavor and technique.

As his reward for winning the challenge, Mirando was granted immunity from the elimination round, and was given the advantage of choosing which contestants would work with one another in a "tag team" sushi-making elimination round.

The intensity of the challenge proved to be too much for California's Stacey Amagrande, and she was sent home for barely plating any of the required items on the sushi dish. Mirando's plan to trip up his biggest threat, Becky Reams, came close. Reams and David Martinez had the second-worst dish in the elimination, but were spared.

The latest elimination brings the number of remaining contestants to six, including Mirando.