The Top 8 are staring down one of MasterChef‘s most notorious builds: The Wall. Eighty feet long, 8 feet tall, loaded with over 2 tons of kitchen equipment — and built to make sure two partners can’t see a single thing the other is doing. Tonight, six home cooks make it through. The other two go home in a double elimination.
The Challenge
Dave and Jake won last week’s challenge together, which meant they got to pick the teams this time. Despite winning together before, they opted for new partners this time around. Here’s how the pairs shook out:
Dave and Heidi
Jake and Julia
Tkaiya and Basia
Foo and Peter.
The assignment: two identical dishes, made blind. Each dish needs a protein, at least two sides, and a sauce, and the pairs have to match on all of it, plating included, without ever laying eyes on their partner or what they’re cooking. They get five minutes in the pantry to plan and grab ingredients, then an hour on the clock to pull it off.
Judgement
Dave (Africa) and Heidi (Africa)
Dish: Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Mascarpone Mushroom Filling, Sweet Potato Puree, and Blackberry Sauce
Gordon: “Well done. You took a big risk. Amongst all that chaos, really good job.”
Tiffany: “It’s hard to believe that this was cooked separate without ever seeing each other.”
Joe: “There are some minor details that are different, but overall incredible.”
Jake (Americas) and Julia (Europe)
Dish: Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with King Oyster Mushroom Medallions, Lemon Caper Orzo, and Almond Sauce
Gordon: “Both dishes look appetizing, however, two completely different plates.”
Tiffany: “Both have good flavor, but consistency-wise it could have been better.”
Joe: “I like these dishes better on my palate than aesthetically.”
Basia (Europe) and Tkaiya (Americas)
Dish: Blackened Pan-Seared Salmon with Curry Fennel, Purple Cauliflower Puree, and Scotch Bonnet Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc
Gordon: “I love blackened fish, but the salmon looks hammered and I’ve got two different kinds of fennel. Tkaiya, your salmon is over-cooked and under-seasoned.”
Tiffany: “Both plates started with a pan that’s way too hot. If you can’t cook it properly, then that’s a problem.”
Joe: “This is burnt. I’m not here to taste burnt food. It’s difficult for me to judge.”
Foo (Asia-Pacific) and Peter (Africa)
Dish: Miso-Glazed Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Asparagus, Roasted Mushrooms, and Lemongrass Beurre Blanc
Gordon: “Clearly, Foo forgot the sauce. Nice color, but the mushrooms look raw.”
Tiffany: “Foo, because I don’t have a sauce, I don’t have much acidity. The salmon itself is fatty.”
Joe: “Peter, there are components that make it edible and balanced. Foo, I don’t know what to think. It’s kind of an insult to us as judges.”
Winners
The winning duo is Dave and Heidi. Both represent Team Africa and advance to the Top 6. Coming in second place were Jake and Julia. Barely escaping in third place were
Elimination
The judges decided to eliminate two home cooks from different teams. Although they didn’t cook together, Foo and Tkaiya were eliminated from the competition. Foo’s exit means Team Asia-Pacific is officially out of the running — he was the region’s last cook standing. Their partners, Peter and Basia, advance to the Top 6.
Next Time
The Top 6 take over a restaurant in the ultimate field challenge. If the home cooks can’t handle the heat, they’ll be shown the door.
