Guest Blogger Amanda Davenport Dishes on "Hell's Kitchen" -- Week 5

Hello once again! As always, it is a pleasure to be blogging away with you guys. I hope you all had a chance to watch this week’s episode. How many of you didn't see that coming? I know I didn’t. I thought all was good for me after the service. I guess it goes to show that you can never be too sure as to what will happen in life. Let's get right into the show.

I loved the challenge we had with the guys this time. Every chef knows that the best tool, or instrument you can have is a good palette. I think mine is pretty good, but once you realize that the food you are tasting is not in its typical form, or at its normal temperature then all bets
are off. I was really proud of our team and how we performed. I felt good that when we got to me and we had a lead that I would be able to take it home. It was close, but the girls prevailed once again. The reward was awesome. I have never had dinner in total darkness. That
was a trip! All you can do is try to feel your way -- a fact that Gordon became privy to first hand. Sorry Gordon!

I thought service was pretty much a dead heat between the two teams. Both sides struggled but I felt we were ahead in the game for most of the evening. Suzanne had a very rough time. She was already at odds with the team and then she just melted down in service. It happens but we all tried to make the best of it. I had a good service all in all. The exception was when Suzanne tried to lay the blame for her fish on me. In the end Gordon decided that the blue team was just slightly better. We all agreed we wanted to put up Suzanne and Sabrina based on their performance for that service. As Gordon tends to do though he decided to add to the mix, and unfortunately it was me. I didn't think there was any way I would be leaving. That would not be the case.

Even though I was surprised I was not upset. You just have to prepare yourself that it can be your night to leave no matter what happens. I know that in my mind it had a lot to do with my health and that the competition was only going to get more difficult for me physically. I hated to leave, but I was looking forward to getting the rest my body so desperately needed. I learned so much from the experience and am grateful I got the opportunity. I realize that when I am healthy I can hang with anyone in a kitchen. I would do it again in a second. I felt I could have made it to the end because I was starting to get a bit of my energy back. I really wanted to prove to myself that I could win, and when I had the lupus flare I wanted to prove to the people watching that this disease has to be taken seriously. I think I was able to do that, and I hope that came across.

I am thankful to all of you that watched and for the kind words and inspiration throughout. I will continue to chat with you until the end of the show, and hope you’ll continue to watch because you never know what surprises might take place.

Also, I would love to know what you thought. Feel free to leave some comments for this entry.

Please keep watching, and as always I will keep fighting.

Amanda

p.s. LFA Blog Editor here -- Check out this news clip of Amanda Davenport on Fox News.