1 00:00:01,727 --> 00:00:03,502 Previously, on Top Chef... 2 00:00:04,154 --> 00:00:06,788 Maria, please pack your knives and go. 3 00:00:06,865 --> 00:00:08,999 I think she has more to give. 4 00:00:09,010 --> 00:00:10,843 No, no. Don't start, don't. 5 00:00:10,919 --> 00:00:12,169 I think she should stay. 6 00:00:12,179 --> 00:00:14,179 Jamie, are you saying you want to quit? 7 00:00:14,256 --> 00:00:16,515 No, I don't want to quit but I would q-quit for her. 8 00:00:16,592 --> 00:00:20,093 Let me pack my knives with grace, okay? 9 00:00:20,170 --> 00:00:21,928 I love you. 10 00:00:22,005 --> 00:00:25,474 She deserves a second chance. I got one already. 11 00:00:25,550 --> 00:00:27,809 Except that you don't make that decision. 12 00:00:27,886 --> 00:00:29,028 What is this salty discharge? 13 00:00:29,104 --> 00:00:30,863 [all laughing] 14 00:00:30,939 --> 00:00:35,150 Come this way, here. You have to stop giving up your place, 15 00:00:35,227 --> 00:00:37,152 because you deserve it, just like I do, 16 00:00:37,229 --> 00:00:39,580 just like Gabe does, just like Shota does. 17 00:00:41,617 --> 00:00:43,450 Aw. 18 00:00:43,527 --> 00:00:48,121 Hi. Hi! I know it's been an emotional evening. 19 00:00:48,198 --> 00:00:50,457 I want you guys to get a lot of rest, 20 00:00:50,534 --> 00:00:53,460 because we have one more Quick Fire in the Top Chef kitchen, 21 00:00:53,537 --> 00:00:55,712 and then we are going to the coast. 22 00:00:55,723 --> 00:00:57,464 -Amazing! -Yes! 23 00:00:57,541 --> 00:01:01,060 So, pack And prepare to win. 24 00:01:01,136 --> 00:01:03,062 Thank you, Padma. 25 00:01:03,138 --> 00:01:05,889 [all cheering] 26 00:01:05,900 --> 00:01:07,516 I'm so happy! 27 00:01:07,592 --> 00:01:08,809 We are goin' places! 28 00:01:08,885 --> 00:01:10,060 Yeah, we are. 29 00:01:10,071 --> 00:01:12,738 About to see some things. Let's go. 30 00:01:12,815 --> 00:01:14,865 Let's get out of here. 31 00:01:16,059 --> 00:01:20,821 Four chefs remain to compete in the ultimate culinary showdown. 32 00:01:20,897 --> 00:01:22,656 At stake for the winner, 33 00:01:22,732 --> 00:01:24,241 a feature in Food and Wine Magazine, 34 00:01:24,251 --> 00:01:27,586 an appearance at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, 35 00:01:27,663 --> 00:01:29,755 a quarter of a million dollars, 36 00:01:29,832 --> 00:01:31,581 furnished by San Pellegrino, 37 00:01:31,592 --> 00:01:34,709 and the title of Top Chef. 38 00:01:34,786 --> 00:01:40,265 ♪♪♪ 39 00:01:40,342 --> 00:01:44,094 ♪♪♪ 40 00:01:44,105 --> 00:01:48,774 ♪♪♪ 41 00:01:48,851 --> 00:01:51,017 I can't believe it's only four people left. 42 00:01:51,094 --> 00:01:53,603 Hang-out room is definitely a much quieter place. 43 00:01:53,614 --> 00:01:54,947 I know, right? 44 00:01:55,023 --> 00:01:58,275 I had a big goal of being top four. 45 00:01:58,285 --> 00:02:01,787 I think, when I first started, I was focusing on the challenge 46 00:02:01,864 --> 00:02:04,865 more than focusing on food that I want to cook. 47 00:02:04,941 --> 00:02:07,075 Now, I'm just like, I'm gonna do the stuff 48 00:02:07,152 --> 00:02:10,078 I learned in Japan and I'm gonna give it everything I have. 49 00:02:10,155 --> 00:02:11,872 We're driving to the Coast today. 50 00:02:11,948 --> 00:02:13,799 Ready to live my best Goonies life. 51 00:02:13,876 --> 00:02:15,134 Yeah, right? 52 00:02:15,210 --> 00:02:16,969 [both chuckling] 53 00:02:17,045 --> 00:02:18,637 We're approaching the finale and, you know, 54 00:02:18,714 --> 00:02:20,547 I'm incredibly homesick. I miss my family. 55 00:02:20,624 --> 00:02:22,716 It's really tough, but at the same time, 56 00:02:22,792 --> 00:02:25,978 I can become the first Mexican-American Top Chef. 57 00:02:26,054 --> 00:02:27,980 That's motivational for me. 58 00:02:28,056 --> 00:02:33,268 ♪♪♪ 59 00:02:33,345 --> 00:02:39,608 ♪♪♪ 60 00:02:39,684 --> 00:02:41,902 Oregon trail! 61 00:02:41,978 --> 00:02:43,320 Mosey on up here! 62 00:02:43,330 --> 00:02:44,830 Like my new ride? 63 00:02:44,907 --> 00:02:46,740 -[all] Yeah! -As you can see, 64 00:02:46,816 --> 00:02:49,168 we have our Culinary Mayor of Portland, 65 00:02:49,244 --> 00:02:51,244 -Gregory Gourdet. -Good to see you all. 66 00:02:51,321 --> 00:02:53,580 -So few of you left. -I know. 67 00:02:53,657 --> 00:02:57,250 We are about to saddle up for the final leg of this journey, 68 00:02:57,327 --> 00:03:00,795 to the title of Top Chef, but we can't leave Portland 69 00:03:00,872 --> 00:03:04,966 without introducing you to a culinary trailblazer 70 00:03:05,043 --> 00:03:06,334 right here in Portland. 71 00:03:06,412 --> 00:03:11,014 Please welcome award-winning chef, Vitaly Paley. 72 00:03:11,025 --> 00:03:13,600 [all clapping] 73 00:03:13,677 --> 00:03:15,810 Hello, welcome. 74 00:03:15,887 --> 00:03:17,771 Thank you so much for having me. 75 00:03:17,847 --> 00:03:21,033 Chefs, Vitaly Paley is truly a Portland pioneer. 76 00:03:21,109 --> 00:03:23,860 Before Portland was even on the food map, 77 00:03:23,871 --> 00:03:25,946 Chef Vito was here, creating a foundation, 78 00:03:26,022 --> 00:03:27,864 which is today, the Portland culinary scene. 79 00:03:27,875 --> 00:03:31,043 He's a very important mentor to me and I call him my uncle, 80 00:03:31,119 --> 00:03:32,711 so I'm very happy he's with you today. 81 00:03:32,788 --> 00:03:34,663 Thank you, Gregory. 82 00:03:34,739 --> 00:03:37,791 Your time here on Top Chef has been eventful, to say the least. 83 00:03:37,867 --> 00:03:39,218 Yes. 84 00:03:39,294 --> 00:03:41,220 You've bled, you've sweat. How does that feel? 85 00:03:41,296 --> 00:03:43,296 I'm just amazed to be here at this spot. 86 00:03:43,373 --> 00:03:45,724 In the first Quick Fire, we were, us three as a team. 87 00:03:45,801 --> 00:03:47,676 Yeah, Quick Fire one team right here. 88 00:03:47,752 --> 00:03:49,219 Who cooked the fish? 89 00:03:49,230 --> 00:03:50,887 -Well, we all did, actually. -We all did. 90 00:03:50,898 --> 00:03:52,222 You all cooked one piece of fish? 91 00:03:52,233 --> 00:03:53,899 [all] Yeah. 92 00:03:53,976 --> 00:03:55,892 Besides this guy, here. 93 00:03:55,903 --> 00:03:57,018 Yeah! 94 00:03:57,095 --> 00:03:58,237 [all laughing] 95 00:03:58,313 --> 00:04:00,021 And now, I'm afraid it is time for us 96 00:04:00,098 --> 00:04:02,691 to say farewell to the city of roses, 97 00:04:02,767 --> 00:04:06,245 but we had to do one Quick Fire here before hitting the trail. 98 00:04:06,321 --> 00:04:10,907 ♪♪♪ 99 00:04:10,918 --> 00:04:14,703 In the mid-1800s after economic depression, 100 00:04:14,779 --> 00:04:16,755 Settlers were seeking a new beginning, 101 00:04:16,832 --> 00:04:18,915 but there was only one way to travel 102 00:04:18,926 --> 00:04:21,751 from Missouri to Oregon, the Oregon Trail. 103 00:04:21,762 --> 00:04:24,337 I'm sure you all remember playing 104 00:04:24,414 --> 00:04:28,425 the Oregon Trail video game as kids and dying from dysentery. 105 00:04:28,435 --> 00:04:29,843 [chuckling] 106 00:04:29,919 --> 00:04:31,052 But in actuality, 107 00:04:31,129 --> 00:04:32,679 the Oregon Trail was quite a serious thing. 108 00:04:32,756 --> 00:04:35,015 It was a vicious journey that took four to six months. 109 00:04:35,091 --> 00:04:37,100 -Dang. -Without refrigeration, 110 00:04:37,111 --> 00:04:38,852 and only very few places to get supplies, 111 00:04:38,928 --> 00:04:42,230 preparing food for the journey was vital to their survival. 112 00:04:42,307 --> 00:04:43,949 For your Quick Fire challenge, 113 00:04:44,026 --> 00:04:46,109 we want you to create a modern dish 114 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,695 using only the ingredients that the settlers 115 00:04:48,772 --> 00:04:51,114 would have had on the Oregon Trail. 116 00:04:51,125 --> 00:04:53,292 Each person would have had a stock pile of items 117 00:04:53,368 --> 00:04:55,368 such as flour, lard, coffee, 118 00:04:55,445 --> 00:04:58,413 molasses, dried fruit, meats, and herbs. 119 00:04:58,490 --> 00:05:01,041 Chefs, the pantry will be off-limits this challenge. 120 00:05:01,117 --> 00:05:03,460 We want to see what you can come up with 121 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:05,712 using these staples from that historic journey. 122 00:05:05,789 --> 00:05:07,306 The winner of this Quick Fire 123 00:05:07,382 --> 00:05:10,142 will earn an advantage in the next Elimination Challenge. 124 00:05:10,218 --> 00:05:15,138 You have 30 minutes to create your modern Oregon Trail dishes. 125 00:05:15,149 --> 00:05:18,224 Giddy up, your time starts now. Good luck! 126 00:05:18,301 --> 00:05:21,269 ♪♪♪ 127 00:05:21,346 --> 00:05:23,196 -Wow. That whole thing, eh? -Oh, yeah. 128 00:05:25,067 --> 00:05:28,735 There were no things like regular oil or fresh citrus. 129 00:05:28,812 --> 00:05:30,387 I have to be creative, 130 00:05:30,389 --> 00:05:33,332 imparting flavors in ways that I wouldn't have even thought of. 131 00:05:34,526 --> 00:05:37,836 -Bring it on. -This is a weird way to shop. 132 00:05:37,913 --> 00:05:39,746 Whiskey, just to have it. 133 00:05:39,823 --> 00:05:42,499 I am missing soy sauce, sake, miso, mirin, 134 00:05:42,509 --> 00:05:43,917 Japanese ingredients in general. 135 00:05:43,993 --> 00:05:45,344 [laughing] 136 00:05:45,420 --> 00:05:48,254 I'm gonna do a parsnip puree with boiled hazelnuts 137 00:05:48,331 --> 00:05:51,350 and salmon tossed in jerky salt. 138 00:05:51,426 --> 00:05:52,842 Oh, that's cool. 139 00:05:52,853 --> 00:05:54,135 I'm gonna blend the jerky 140 00:05:54,212 --> 00:05:55,929 and cure my portion of salmon in it, 141 00:05:56,005 --> 00:05:58,431 giving it kinda that smoky, umami flavor. 142 00:05:58,508 --> 00:06:00,016 Did you get the whiskey to drink 143 00:06:00,027 --> 00:06:01,360 or are you going to cook with it? 144 00:06:01,436 --> 00:06:03,195 I'mma cook with it and then drink it. 145 00:06:03,271 --> 00:06:05,939 When I was growing up, we had a walnut tree 146 00:06:06,015 --> 00:06:07,941 and I used to eat fresh walnuts. 147 00:06:08,017 --> 00:06:09,943 I was thinking about making a play on Romesco, 148 00:06:10,019 --> 00:06:11,194 but with walnuts. 149 00:06:11,205 --> 00:06:12,362 -You need the salmon? -Yeah. 150 00:06:12,373 --> 00:06:13,780 Here you go. 151 00:06:13,857 --> 00:06:15,540 I'mma do, like, a walnut pepper sauce, 152 00:06:15,617 --> 00:06:18,326 grill the salmon, and do a parsnip crisp. 153 00:06:18,403 --> 00:06:20,870 -Nice. -Gonna get this going. 154 00:06:20,881 --> 00:06:22,214 20 minutes, guys. 155 00:06:24,534 --> 00:06:27,219 -No. You want some lard? -I got some. 156 00:06:27,295 --> 00:06:30,222 Thinking of the 1800s, campfire cooking comes to mind. 157 00:06:30,298 --> 00:06:33,392 Now, I love to go camping and during the pandemic, you know, 158 00:06:33,468 --> 00:06:36,061 the kids and I camped in the backyard a lot. 159 00:06:36,138 --> 00:06:37,804 I saw you pick up that trout. 160 00:06:37,881 --> 00:06:40,232 Yeah, I'm gonna do a little campfire trout 161 00:06:40,308 --> 00:06:42,892 with some root vegetables roasted in lard. 162 00:06:42,903 --> 00:06:45,979 All season long, I've been in the top dishes in Quick Fire, 163 00:06:46,055 --> 00:06:47,897 but haven't won. So, I'm hoping 164 00:06:47,908 --> 00:06:49,241 to finally get one under my belt. 165 00:06:49,317 --> 00:06:50,984 The lard smells delicious. 166 00:06:51,060 --> 00:06:52,318 Where can I go? 167 00:06:52,395 --> 00:06:53,912 I mean, just go in. 168 00:06:53,989 --> 00:06:56,072 People on the trail really ate for survival. 169 00:06:56,083 --> 00:06:59,418 So, I'm making a trail ride porridge 170 00:06:59,494 --> 00:07:01,086 because it's something that's really hearty. 171 00:07:01,163 --> 00:07:03,538 I'm gonna experiment with putting 172 00:07:03,615 --> 00:07:07,000 a fish flavor base at the bottom of my porridge. 173 00:07:07,076 --> 00:07:09,085 Dawn, what are you missing from your ingredients? 174 00:07:09,096 --> 00:07:10,503 Oh, real acid. 175 00:07:10,580 --> 00:07:14,099 Yeah! Yes! Yes! 176 00:07:14,176 --> 00:07:17,093 My dish really needs fresh acid, and there isn't any, 177 00:07:17,104 --> 00:07:18,887 but there is citric acid. 178 00:07:18,963 --> 00:07:20,272 Dawn, did you get citric acid? 179 00:07:20,348 --> 00:07:21,940 Yeah, I did. Here. 180 00:07:22,017 --> 00:07:24,893 One wrong move with citric acid and you can't turn back. 181 00:07:24,969 --> 00:07:27,446 I put it down there so I don't use it like it's salt. 182 00:07:27,522 --> 00:07:29,448 -Ten minutes left. -Ten minutes, heard. 183 00:07:29,524 --> 00:07:31,107 [knife clanging] 184 00:07:31,118 --> 00:07:32,492 ♪♪♪ 185 00:07:36,031 --> 00:07:38,031 I wish I had lemons. I love acid 186 00:07:38,107 --> 00:07:40,292 'cause it breaks up the heaviness of anything. 187 00:07:40,368 --> 00:07:42,952 I realized there's cranberries. They're sweet, but they're tart. 188 00:07:42,963 --> 00:07:46,298 So, I threw that into my sauce to try to brighten it up. 189 00:07:46,374 --> 00:07:49,459 Ah, so hot. Can I get a little? 190 00:07:49,470 --> 00:07:51,470 Yeah. Oh, sorry, I'm just throwing sh-- in there. 191 00:07:51,546 --> 00:07:53,388 You're good. I like it when you throw things. 192 00:07:54,958 --> 00:07:58,301 Ow! Thank you, all, for shoving my sh-- way to the back. 193 00:07:58,312 --> 00:08:00,303 That wasn't me, Chef, I promise. 194 00:08:00,314 --> 00:08:01,980 Can't hold me down. 195 00:08:02,057 --> 00:08:03,556 Five minutes, guys. 196 00:08:03,633 --> 00:08:06,485 ♪♪♪ 197 00:08:06,561 --> 00:08:07,861 Coming through. 198 00:08:09,472 --> 00:08:12,032 The salmon looks nice. As a dish, I actually really like it. 199 00:08:13,685 --> 00:08:15,660 I don't really care about the advantage. 200 00:08:15,737 --> 00:08:17,662 I care about blocking Gabe, 201 00:08:17,739 --> 00:08:20,990 so he doesn't get a win in a Quick Fire. 202 00:08:21,001 --> 00:08:23,493 God, I'm such a [bleep]. 203 00:08:23,504 --> 00:08:27,413 Three... two... one. 204 00:08:27,490 --> 00:08:30,509 Time's up! Hands up, utensils down. 205 00:08:30,585 --> 00:08:32,052 [exhaling] 206 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:37,090 ♪♪♪ 207 00:08:37,166 --> 00:08:38,591 Jamie, come on up. 208 00:08:38,668 --> 00:08:39,592 You got it, Jamie. 209 00:08:39,669 --> 00:08:41,678 I got this. My belly gots it. 210 00:08:41,688 --> 00:08:43,137 [all laughing] 211 00:08:43,214 --> 00:08:45,431 Thank you. This looks beautiful. 212 00:08:45,508 --> 00:08:48,193 I made a pan seared salmon with a walnut pepper sauce. 213 00:08:48,270 --> 00:08:50,019 What's the acid in your dish, Jamie? 214 00:08:50,030 --> 00:08:52,480 I put cranberries in there and then I used lemon oil. 215 00:08:52,557 --> 00:08:54,366 What's the crispy stuff on the top? 216 00:08:54,442 --> 00:08:56,276 That's parsnip. 217 00:08:56,352 --> 00:08:57,761 What did you make for us, Shota? 218 00:08:57,763 --> 00:09:02,156 I did jerky cured salmon with parsnip apricot puree. 219 00:09:02,233 --> 00:09:04,617 I'm curious about jerky cured salmon. 220 00:09:04,694 --> 00:09:06,711 I got the beef jerky and I grinded it up, 221 00:09:06,788 --> 00:09:08,329 and I just, kinda, cured it. 222 00:09:08,406 --> 00:09:10,039 Let it sit for about ten minutes. 223 00:09:10,050 --> 00:09:13,459 I made a trail ride porridge with fire roasted curry squash 224 00:09:13,536 --> 00:09:16,296 and a hazelnut and bacon relish. 225 00:09:16,372 --> 00:09:18,548 In the porridge, I have dried herring. 226 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:21,509 30 minutes is not a long time to cook the squash. 227 00:09:21,586 --> 00:09:23,395 -How did you do it? -Fire roasting. 228 00:09:23,471 --> 00:09:24,729 Shota helped me with that, 229 00:09:24,806 --> 00:09:27,348 he pushed my pan all the way in the back. 230 00:09:27,425 --> 00:09:29,350 I didn't push it. 231 00:09:29,427 --> 00:09:31,311 I think she means that in a good way, Shota. 232 00:09:31,387 --> 00:09:32,645 Oh, I got you, girl! 233 00:09:32,722 --> 00:09:33,655 [all chuckling] 234 00:09:34,891 --> 00:09:36,316 Wow. 235 00:09:36,392 --> 00:09:38,026 This dish is meant for a hearty appetite. 236 00:09:38,102 --> 00:09:40,361 Go big or go home, right? 237 00:09:40,438 --> 00:09:42,238 This is a campfire trout 238 00:09:42,249 --> 00:09:44,240 with an Oregon trail salsa macha. 239 00:09:44,251 --> 00:09:46,084 Since there's no cooking oil, 240 00:09:46,161 --> 00:09:47,827 I used the lard as the base of the sauce. 241 00:09:47,904 --> 00:09:49,495 What is the acid in this dish? 242 00:09:49,572 --> 00:09:51,756 I took some of the lemon syrup and cut it with citric acid. 243 00:09:51,833 --> 00:09:53,174 Thank you so much. 244 00:09:54,336 --> 00:09:56,044 I'm actually very impressed what you guys 245 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:57,754 have been able to accomplish in a mere 30 minutes. 246 00:09:57,764 --> 00:09:59,422 Thank you, Chef. 247 00:09:59,433 --> 00:10:00,657 There were a couple 248 00:10:00,659 --> 00:10:03,092 that were less successful than the others. 249 00:10:03,103 --> 00:10:05,845 Shota, the salmon ate a little dry. 250 00:10:05,922 --> 00:10:09,057 I don't know if it had something to do with the curing 251 00:10:09,133 --> 00:10:11,351 -in advance of cooking it. -Understood. 252 00:10:11,427 --> 00:10:13,686 Dawn, that dish really could have been more successful 253 00:10:13,763 --> 00:10:17,357 if you had used that herring as a counterpoint to that porridge. 254 00:10:17,433 --> 00:10:21,069 I agree. Boiling the fish with the porridge 255 00:10:21,145 --> 00:10:25,239 really made it too fishy. We did love the other two. 256 00:10:25,316 --> 00:10:26,699 We thought your dishes were creative, 257 00:10:26,776 --> 00:10:28,126 and most of all, modern. 258 00:10:28,203 --> 00:10:31,245 Gabe, I could easily see setting up camp for the night, 259 00:10:31,322 --> 00:10:33,298 getting that trout nice and crispy, 260 00:10:33,375 --> 00:10:35,300 with that beautiful, green lard oil. 261 00:10:35,377 --> 00:10:38,544 That citric acid displayed the modern technique, 262 00:10:38,621 --> 00:10:40,472 yet hidden under the tone of the whole dish. 263 00:10:40,548 --> 00:10:41,547 Thank you, Chef. 264 00:10:41,624 --> 00:10:43,141 And Jamie. 265 00:10:43,218 --> 00:10:46,094 The salmon was cooked great. The fried parsnips on top 266 00:10:46,170 --> 00:10:47,887 really added that textural element. 267 00:10:47,964 --> 00:10:50,390 This is a modern take on what you would find on the trail. 268 00:10:50,466 --> 00:10:53,151 There is bits of sweetness, there is bits of acid, 269 00:10:53,228 --> 00:10:54,394 and altogether, it worked really well. 270 00:10:54,470 --> 00:10:56,104 Thank you. 271 00:10:56,180 --> 00:10:57,563 Vitaly, as our guest judge, 272 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:00,233 you have the honor of telling us who won this Quick Fire. 273 00:11:00,309 --> 00:11:03,828 The chef who won the challenge today showed the versatility 274 00:11:03,905 --> 00:11:06,155 of the ingredients in a modern way, 275 00:11:06,166 --> 00:11:07,490 and that chef is... 276 00:11:07,501 --> 00:11:10,669 ♪♪♪ 277 00:11:10,745 --> 00:11:11,744 Jamie. 278 00:11:11,821 --> 00:11:12,837 Wow! 279 00:11:12,914 --> 00:11:14,580 [all clapping] 280 00:11:14,657 --> 00:11:16,416 [mimicking guns] 281 00:11:16,492 --> 00:11:19,252 [laughing] 282 00:11:19,328 --> 00:11:22,130 After the last challenge, I needed that boost of confidence. 283 00:11:22,206 --> 00:11:24,257 Being in the top of the Quick Fire 284 00:11:24,333 --> 00:11:25,925 is where I typically hang out. 285 00:11:26,002 --> 00:11:27,519 Damn it, Gabe. 286 00:11:27,595 --> 00:11:29,262 I just never win. 287 00:11:29,338 --> 00:11:31,764 Gregory and Vitaly, thank you so much. 288 00:11:31,841 --> 00:11:33,433 -Thank you. -Thank you, Chef. 289 00:11:33,509 --> 00:11:34,642 [clapping] 290 00:11:34,719 --> 00:11:36,611 -Thank you. -See you on the coast. 291 00:11:37,680 --> 00:11:39,522 Please give a warm welcome 292 00:11:39,533 --> 00:11:41,691 to your guest judges for this week, 293 00:11:41,702 --> 00:11:44,819 Mr. Dale Talde, and Chef Ed Lee. 294 00:11:44,896 --> 00:11:46,446 [all applauding] 295 00:11:46,522 --> 00:11:47,613 Hey, guys. 296 00:11:47,690 --> 00:11:49,207 Final four, huh? 297 00:11:49,284 --> 00:11:50,450 All right, let's cut to the cheese. 298 00:11:50,526 --> 00:11:51,451 I mean, chase. 299 00:11:51,527 --> 00:11:52,544 [giggling] 300 00:11:52,620 --> 00:11:53,786 Cheese. 301 00:11:53,863 --> 00:11:57,331 ♪♪♪ 302 00:11:57,408 --> 00:11:59,384 In case you haven't guessed it, 303 00:11:59,461 --> 00:12:01,669 today's elimination challenge is all about... 304 00:12:01,746 --> 00:12:04,964 -Cheese. -Cheese. 305 00:12:05,041 --> 00:12:07,216 There's someone who has a message for you, 306 00:12:07,227 --> 00:12:09,802 who definitely knows their way around cheese. 307 00:12:09,879 --> 00:12:11,387 Three star Michelin chef, 308 00:12:11,398 --> 00:12:16,735 and the recipient of 2016's World's Best Restaurant, 309 00:12:16,811 --> 00:12:18,478 Massimo Bottura. 310 00:12:18,554 --> 00:12:20,313 [speaking in Italian] 311 00:12:20,389 --> 00:12:21,731 Oh! 312 00:12:21,742 --> 00:12:23,232 Oh man. 313 00:12:23,243 --> 00:12:24,567 Welcome to Kitchen Quarantine. 314 00:12:24,578 --> 00:12:27,412 Massimo is one of the chefs I look up to, 315 00:12:27,489 --> 00:12:29,247 just the way he went for his dreams 316 00:12:29,324 --> 00:12:31,991 and when people told him that it's not the traditional way, 317 00:12:32,068 --> 00:12:33,993 he still kept on doing what he wanted 318 00:12:34,070 --> 00:12:35,712 and just very creative. 319 00:13:11,607 --> 00:13:13,449 I actually read about this dish. 320 00:13:13,460 --> 00:13:16,410 I was inspired by the way he used one ingredient in many ways 321 00:13:16,487 --> 00:13:18,746 and pushed the boundaries of doing something creative, 322 00:13:18,823 --> 00:13:20,423 and that's what I wanted for myself. 323 00:13:28,958 --> 00:13:31,050 [clapping] 324 00:13:31,127 --> 00:13:34,887 Chefs, in Emilia-Romagna, Parmigiano-Reggiano is king, 325 00:13:34,964 --> 00:13:37,723 but here in Oregon, it's all about the cheddar. 326 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:39,892 Near the Oregon coast, 327 00:13:39,969 --> 00:13:46,399 Tillamook Creamery 160,000lb of cheese per day. 328 00:13:46,475 --> 00:13:47,942 -Wow. -Yes, they do. 329 00:13:48,019 --> 00:13:50,444 For your elimination challenge, you get to go there 330 00:13:50,521 --> 00:13:54,574 and tour the Creamery and get some amazing products, 331 00:13:54,650 --> 00:13:56,659 which you'll then use to put your twist 332 00:13:56,670 --> 00:14:02,590 on Massimo's acclaimed dish, featuring cheddar five ways. 333 00:14:03,701 --> 00:14:06,919 Melt it, fry it, bake it, foam it, 334 00:14:06,996 --> 00:14:09,514 I'm really curious to see what you guys do. 335 00:14:09,591 --> 00:14:10,923 Think about, also, the flavors 336 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:12,684 that are going to accompany the cheese as well. 337 00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:14,677 This has to be a fully formed dish. 338 00:14:14,688 --> 00:14:16,971 It's not just five techniques of cheese. 339 00:14:17,048 --> 00:14:19,765 It's the last four. You have to wow us. 340 00:14:19,842 --> 00:14:22,518 Tomorrow, you'll have three hours 341 00:14:22,529 --> 00:14:24,604 to prep and cook at Tillamook Creamery. 342 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:27,982 There, you'll be serving the all-star judging panel, 343 00:14:28,059 --> 00:14:31,703 as well as Tillamook's executive chef, Josh Archibald. 344 00:14:31,779 --> 00:14:34,372 Jamie, as the winner of the Quick Fire challenge, 345 00:14:34,449 --> 00:14:36,782 you'll have an extra 30 minutes to cook. 346 00:14:36,859 --> 00:14:38,451 Thank you. 347 00:14:38,527 --> 00:14:40,328 Good luck, chefs, I'll see you tomorrow. 348 00:14:40,404 --> 00:14:42,038 -Thank you. -Good luck, chefs. 349 00:14:42,048 --> 00:14:43,381 Ready, chef? 350 00:14:43,458 --> 00:14:44,624 Let's go to the coast! 351 00:14:44,700 --> 00:14:46,375 [whistling] 352 00:14:46,386 --> 00:14:48,794 A full-body massage going. 353 00:14:48,871 --> 00:14:50,796 -Ah, so nice. -It's pretty nice. 354 00:14:50,873 --> 00:14:52,557 Great for a long drive. 355 00:14:52,634 --> 00:14:56,477 ♪♪♪ 356 00:14:58,973 --> 00:15:01,807 I was like, "Ah, crap, what are we going to do with cheese?" 357 00:15:01,884 --> 00:15:03,726 Five types on a plate, 358 00:15:03,737 --> 00:15:05,895 do I know how to do that many things with cheese? 359 00:15:05,906 --> 00:15:08,147 -I eat cheese. -I eat cheese a lot. 360 00:15:08,224 --> 00:15:09,741 [both giggling] 361 00:15:09,817 --> 00:15:11,910 We made it to the coast, guys. 362 00:15:11,986 --> 00:15:17,823 ♪♪♪ 363 00:15:17,900 --> 00:15:20,084 Ah, there's a person in the lobby. 364 00:15:20,161 --> 00:15:22,703 Welcome to Tillamook Cheese. My name's Liam, 365 00:15:22,780 --> 00:15:24,580 I'm a cheesemaker here at Tillamook, 366 00:15:24,591 --> 00:15:26,582 and we'll be taking you through our cheesemaking process. 367 00:15:26,593 --> 00:15:27,875 -Cool! -Very excited, thank you! 368 00:15:27,952 --> 00:15:29,502 Come on. 369 00:15:29,578 --> 00:15:31,379 Look at my shoes. 370 00:15:31,455 --> 00:15:32,764 All right. Let's go. 371 00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:34,006 Get that cheddar! 372 00:15:34,083 --> 00:15:36,717 ♪♪♪ 373 00:15:36,794 --> 00:15:38,010 It smells so good. 374 00:15:38,087 --> 00:15:39,929 You can smell it, it's kind of a sweet smell. 375 00:15:39,940 --> 00:15:43,107 I love learning about food. I have made cheese before, 376 00:15:43,184 --> 00:15:46,018 but I've never seen an operation so big. 377 00:15:46,095 --> 00:15:48,062 Here we are, we're up on the cooking vats. 378 00:15:48,139 --> 00:15:50,690 This is where our process begins in cheesemaking. 379 00:15:50,766 --> 00:15:52,900 We make both white and yellow cheddar here. 380 00:15:52,977 --> 00:15:54,786 We use Annatto, which is a coloring 381 00:15:54,862 --> 00:15:56,862 that comes from a natural, tropical flower 382 00:15:56,939 --> 00:15:59,198 and we add just a tiny bit of that to our milk. 383 00:15:59,275 --> 00:16:01,867 Is that the only difference between white cheddar 384 00:16:01,944 --> 00:16:03,703 and yellow cheddar is the color? 385 00:16:03,779 --> 00:16:06,080 Yeah, we make our white and yellow cheddar all the same. 386 00:16:06,157 --> 00:16:07,581 Pretty cool. 387 00:16:07,658 --> 00:16:08,800 Let's go, uh, taste some cheese. 388 00:16:08,876 --> 00:16:10,126 ♪♪♪ 389 00:16:10,136 --> 00:16:11,711 Mm. 390 00:16:11,787 --> 00:16:13,462 We're going to start from young, go to old. 391 00:16:13,473 --> 00:16:16,632 Start with medium, generally four to nine months old. 392 00:16:16,643 --> 00:16:20,928 Cheddar, in Japanese cuisine, I personally have not seen it. 393 00:16:21,005 --> 00:16:22,638 So, this is going to be interesting. 394 00:16:22,649 --> 00:16:23,931 Moving on down the line, 395 00:16:24,008 --> 00:16:26,142 sharp cheddar cheese, about a year old. 396 00:16:26,152 --> 00:16:28,644 Wow. The most interesting part about the cheesemaking process, 397 00:16:28,655 --> 00:16:30,563 for me, is the aging. 398 00:16:30,639 --> 00:16:32,606 You're starting to get a little sulfur notes, 399 00:16:32,683 --> 00:16:36,152 which tend to give a savory flavor, eggy, custard, almost. 400 00:16:36,162 --> 00:16:37,820 Mm, yeah. I'm impressed. 401 00:16:37,831 --> 00:16:39,822 Moving onto Maker's Reserve. 402 00:16:39,833 --> 00:16:41,615 So, we're almost ten years old here. 403 00:16:41,692 --> 00:16:43,001 Mm, yum, yum, yum, yum. 404 00:16:43,077 --> 00:16:45,745 I really love the nuttiness of the Reserve cheese. 405 00:16:45,821 --> 00:16:49,173 It's so yummy, but I'm nervous about cooking with it. 406 00:16:49,250 --> 00:16:53,669 I don't really work with cheese unless it's mac and cheese, aah! 407 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:55,129 -Thank you, Liam. -Thank you so much. 408 00:16:55,206 --> 00:16:56,964 My pleasure! 409 00:16:57,041 --> 00:16:58,924 ♪♪♪ 410 00:16:59,001 --> 00:17:01,135 I was thinking apples and cheddar. 411 00:17:01,212 --> 00:17:03,679 Cheddar is the workhorse of cheeses, 412 00:17:03,690 --> 00:17:07,141 but making that the star of the dish is difficult. 413 00:17:07,218 --> 00:17:08,809 So, I'm trying to stray away 414 00:17:08,886 --> 00:17:11,029 from including a protein in the dish. 415 00:17:11,105 --> 00:17:12,772 Medium cheddar. 416 00:17:12,848 --> 00:17:16,108 I definitely want to do a very clear dashi that's cheese, 417 00:17:16,185 --> 00:17:19,111 but Japanese cuisine is very delicate 418 00:17:19,188 --> 00:17:21,947 and so, I have to make sure this doesn't taste rich, creamy. 419 00:17:22,024 --> 00:17:23,657 This is the price. 420 00:17:23,734 --> 00:17:24,992 Oh, sh--. 421 00:17:25,069 --> 00:17:27,995 Wow. I'm gonna make it Asian-style. 422 00:17:28,072 --> 00:17:32,124 And then, infusing it in some sort of dumpling or dough. 423 00:17:32,201 --> 00:17:34,960 I'd like to get some of this medium-white cheddar. 424 00:17:35,037 --> 00:17:37,797 I would like to pay homage to my home town 425 00:17:37,873 --> 00:17:39,507 by highlighting some flavors 426 00:17:39,583 --> 00:17:42,226 of Philadelphia cheesesteak using rib-eye. 427 00:17:42,303 --> 00:17:43,644 Thank you so much. 428 00:17:45,714 --> 00:17:50,643 ♪♪♪ 429 00:17:50,719 --> 00:17:51,903 Cool. 430 00:17:51,979 --> 00:17:53,729 Lovely. 431 00:17:53,740 --> 00:17:55,022 Ooh. 432 00:17:55,099 --> 00:17:56,524 Oh, man. That looks nice. 433 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:58,317 After arriving to the Surfsand Hotel, 434 00:17:58,394 --> 00:18:00,569 there is a million thoughts going through my head. 435 00:18:00,580 --> 00:18:03,322 -That's cool. -We should go check it out. 436 00:18:03,399 --> 00:18:04,916 All right, let's go. 437 00:18:04,992 --> 00:18:06,826 Cannon Beach is absolutely breathtaking. 438 00:18:06,902 --> 00:18:08,828 It's such a great change of scenery. 439 00:18:08,904 --> 00:18:10,746 This is dope. 440 00:18:10,757 --> 00:18:14,834 You guys feel like Top Chef has changed the way you cook? 441 00:18:14,910 --> 00:18:16,001 For me, it's just, like, 442 00:18:16,078 --> 00:18:18,930 solidifying a place for my style. 443 00:18:19,006 --> 00:18:22,216 It gives me the confidence to continue to do it. 444 00:18:22,293 --> 00:18:25,344 In my career, my skills were not appreciated 445 00:18:25,421 --> 00:18:27,763 the way other line cooks were. 446 00:18:27,774 --> 00:18:29,348 Not only am I a woman in the kitchen, 447 00:18:29,425 --> 00:18:31,609 but also a Black woman in the kitchen. 448 00:18:31,686 --> 00:18:33,936 There's a part of me that felt that maybe, 449 00:18:33,947 --> 00:18:36,188 I was not good enough. 450 00:18:36,265 --> 00:18:40,025 I cook with my heart, and I always have, and sometimes, 451 00:18:40,102 --> 00:18:42,236 there's a place for it in the world, and sometimes, 452 00:18:42,313 --> 00:18:44,280 you have to create your own system to do that. 453 00:18:44,290 --> 00:18:46,782 There's definitely an inequality, 454 00:18:46,793 --> 00:18:48,951 but I am here to change that. 455 00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:51,871 I really would like to help a few more chefs 456 00:18:51,947 --> 00:18:53,965 that look like me achieve their goals, 457 00:18:54,041 --> 00:18:56,917 and winning Top Chef will help me do that. 458 00:18:56,994 --> 00:18:58,377 You guys want to get some rest? 459 00:18:58,454 --> 00:18:59,795 -Yeah. -Ready to mosey on? 460 00:18:59,806 --> 00:19:01,589 Get ready for tomorrow. 461 00:19:01,665 --> 00:19:05,101 ♪♪♪ 462 00:19:07,504 --> 00:19:10,764 ♪♪♪ 463 00:19:10,841 --> 00:19:12,725 It smells cheesy in here! 464 00:19:12,801 --> 00:19:14,101 Cool, cool, cool. 465 00:19:14,178 --> 00:19:15,728 This is going to be a fun challenge. 466 00:19:15,804 --> 00:19:17,155 Yeah. 467 00:19:17,231 --> 00:19:18,772 You're using sea bass? 468 00:19:18,849 --> 00:19:20,941 Yes, I am. For me, cheese is heavy, 469 00:19:21,018 --> 00:19:24,320 but I think sea bass is light and doesn't taste strong to me. 470 00:19:24,330 --> 00:19:26,330 What kind of cheese are you using today, Jame? 471 00:19:26,407 --> 00:19:28,949 Cheddar, all the cheddar. 472 00:19:29,026 --> 00:19:32,336 I also have a cheddar Reserve Szechuan sauce, 473 00:19:32,413 --> 00:19:34,830 and a sharp cheddar chili oil. 474 00:19:34,841 --> 00:19:36,790 And it's, like, a good pairing with noodles 475 00:19:36,867 --> 00:19:39,668 so a cheddar paetzle, that's like a noodle to me. 476 00:19:39,679 --> 00:19:41,462 I don't eat that much cheese. 477 00:19:41,538 --> 00:19:43,848 This is a hard competition for me. 478 00:19:43,925 --> 00:19:45,341 Fish and cheese are not paired. 479 00:19:45,351 --> 00:19:48,302 Maybe I should go out on a limb and do that. 480 00:19:48,379 --> 00:19:51,013 Sorry, I'm like, trying to balance my life. 481 00:19:51,024 --> 00:19:53,357 What is your, uh, highest priority prep-item, Dawn? 482 00:19:53,434 --> 00:19:56,310 Well, I'd really like to sous vide my rib-eye in whey 483 00:19:56,387 --> 00:19:59,688 for about 30 minutes. I'm inching closer to the finale 484 00:19:59,699 --> 00:20:03,859 and this cheese challenge is standing in the way of that. 485 00:20:03,870 --> 00:20:07,154 It happens to be the one that I feel is the most difficult. 486 00:20:07,231 --> 00:20:11,876 Ugh. I have never done cheese five different ways, 487 00:20:11,953 --> 00:20:14,161 but this is paying homage to something I love, 488 00:20:14,238 --> 00:20:18,216 ode to Philly cheesesteak. Get that cheddar, baby. 489 00:20:18,292 --> 00:20:21,377 ♪♪♪ 490 00:20:21,387 --> 00:20:23,221 Cheesy! 491 00:20:23,297 --> 00:20:24,880 My dish name, it's called Cheese-So-Yummy, 492 00:20:24,891 --> 00:20:26,507 or Cheesus Christ. I'm trying to think 493 00:20:26,583 --> 00:20:28,059 about which one to go with. 494 00:20:28,135 --> 00:20:29,843 -[giggling] -Sorry. Thank you for laughing. 495 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:31,804 I'm gonna make some dashi stock with the reserve. 496 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:33,806 Dashi is, technically, soup stock. 497 00:20:33,882 --> 00:20:35,900 I definitely want to do a dashi , 498 00:20:35,977 --> 00:20:38,477 but using that umami of cheese, you know, in a smart way. 499 00:20:38,554 --> 00:20:40,479 Japanese cuisine doesn't use cheddar, 500 00:20:40,556 --> 00:20:42,907 so this is definitely a little bit of a challenge for me. 501 00:20:42,984 --> 00:20:45,734 I'm gonna add the dehydrated tomatoes, 502 00:20:45,745 --> 00:20:48,746 mushrooms, and kombu inside, and let it steep 503 00:20:48,823 --> 00:20:52,992 and slowly add the aged cheese in, while I adjust the flavor. 504 00:20:53,068 --> 00:20:56,036 Look at this. Ooh! Cheesus Christ! 505 00:20:56,113 --> 00:20:57,329 Two hours, nine minutes. 506 00:20:57,406 --> 00:20:59,164 I've got some apples to roast, 507 00:20:59,241 --> 00:21:02,418 but I can't roast until my cheese oil is done. 508 00:21:02,428 --> 00:21:06,097 I'm trying to showcase multiple cheeses in the same dish 509 00:21:06,173 --> 00:21:09,383 without being too rich, too heavy, and monotonous. 510 00:21:09,460 --> 00:21:12,344 That's what makes this challenge very, very difficult. 511 00:21:12,421 --> 00:21:15,273 Wow, this corer is a game changer. 512 00:21:15,349 --> 00:21:16,932 I am making apples and cheddar. 513 00:21:16,943 --> 00:21:19,944 Cheddar cheese is not a traditional Mexican cheese, 514 00:21:20,021 --> 00:21:22,896 but it's Tex-Mex. This beautiful, slow-roasted apple 515 00:21:22,973 --> 00:21:24,898 is gonna shine as a protein. 516 00:21:24,975 --> 00:21:26,433 These are my apples, 517 00:21:26,511 --> 00:21:29,361 they're going into a calcium solution to set the pectin, 518 00:21:29,438 --> 00:21:31,789 so that when I cook them, they don't fall apart. 519 00:21:31,866 --> 00:21:33,958 I love the science behind cooking. 520 00:21:34,035 --> 00:21:35,793 I got a Masters in Engineering, 521 00:21:35,870 --> 00:21:38,245 but all the while, I was working in restaurants, 522 00:21:38,322 --> 00:21:40,039 so there was this parallel path. 523 00:21:40,115 --> 00:21:41,874 Engineering has definitely helped my cooking. 524 00:21:41,950 --> 00:21:45,085 I mean cooking is thermodynamics and that's the first class 525 00:21:45,162 --> 00:21:48,297 you probably fail at engineering school. 526 00:21:48,308 --> 00:21:50,049 Still cooking some moisture out, 527 00:21:50,125 --> 00:21:51,592 the cheese is starting to caramelize a little bit. 528 00:21:51,668 --> 00:21:54,312 Using the natural acidity and textures of the apple, 529 00:21:54,388 --> 00:21:56,472 I want it to be like it's a piece of cheddar 530 00:21:56,482 --> 00:21:59,266 with all of the cheddar oil that I am roasting and basting in it. 531 00:21:59,343 --> 00:22:01,277 So, I'll let that carry on for a little bit. 532 00:22:02,513 --> 00:22:03,821 Hey, chef. 533 00:22:03,898 --> 00:22:06,324 Hey, Chef, you caught me. 534 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:10,319 Caught ya! Like, "boo!" So, let me guess, you're making cheese. 535 00:22:10,330 --> 00:22:13,072 Yes, and I'm going to also be paired with cheese. 536 00:22:13,148 --> 00:22:14,615 You're making cheese and cheese? 537 00:22:14,691 --> 00:22:16,492 Yes, with another component of cheese. 538 00:22:16,502 --> 00:22:18,243 [laughing] 539 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:20,329 That's good. That's only three ways, you've got two more. 540 00:22:20,340 --> 00:22:21,505 [both laughing] 541 00:22:21,582 --> 00:22:23,248 So, my inspiration was a Philly cheesesteak. 542 00:22:23,325 --> 00:22:24,750 I like where we're going. 543 00:22:24,827 --> 00:22:26,960 I'm serving rib-eye that I'm going to just sous vide 544 00:22:27,037 --> 00:22:29,004 -partially in whey. -Okay. 545 00:22:29,015 --> 00:22:31,840 To give some milky flavor. I have a reserve cheese foam, 546 00:22:31,851 --> 00:22:35,928 and I'm also going to baste the rib-eye in this cheddar oil 547 00:22:36,004 --> 00:22:37,638 -that I'm making here. -Okay. 548 00:22:37,714 --> 00:22:39,357 And I'm using Gruyère that I'm gonna fry. 549 00:22:39,433 --> 00:22:40,474 Okay. 550 00:22:40,551 --> 00:22:41,975 Yeah, it's gonna be a cheese puff. 551 00:22:42,052 --> 00:22:43,435 -Got it. -And then I'll add 552 00:22:43,512 --> 00:22:46,105 a vegetable component to kind of give some brightness. 553 00:22:46,181 --> 00:22:47,648 Sounds good. I'll let you get back to work. 554 00:22:47,724 --> 00:22:49,149 All right, thank you. 555 00:22:49,226 --> 00:22:50,359 Hey, Gabe. 556 00:22:50,370 --> 00:22:52,111 You're ready for some more cheese? 557 00:22:52,187 --> 00:22:55,322 Uh, I have a feeling I'm gonna have my fill of cheese. 558 00:22:55,399 --> 00:22:57,324 -What are you up to? -You know, apples and cheddar 559 00:22:57,401 --> 00:22:59,159 are one of my favorite combinations. 560 00:22:59,236 --> 00:23:01,203 So, I'm really just doing apples and cheddar on my dish. 561 00:23:01,214 --> 00:23:04,998 Okay, two things I didn't hear. Mole or chili. 562 00:23:05,075 --> 00:23:06,609 There is some chili, 563 00:23:06,611 --> 00:23:09,169 but I am trying to not burn your guys' face off this time. 564 00:23:09,246 --> 00:23:10,554 All right! 565 00:23:10,631 --> 00:23:12,339 But, um, there's definitely Mexican flavors in here. 566 00:23:12,416 --> 00:23:14,007 There's some Morita chillies in here, 567 00:23:14,084 --> 00:23:16,385 my cheese curds are going to be dusted in hoja santa, 568 00:23:16,396 --> 00:23:17,678 a traditional Mexican herb, 569 00:23:17,754 --> 00:23:19,513 it's going to have some nice color on there. 570 00:23:19,590 --> 00:23:21,515 You know, I'm just going to do what I do, 571 00:23:21,592 --> 00:23:23,016 and hopefully you guys will enjoy it. 572 00:23:23,093 --> 00:23:24,476 -All right, thanks. -Thank you, Chef. 573 00:23:24,553 --> 00:23:26,186 Hey, Shota. So you probably don't use 574 00:23:26,263 --> 00:23:27,721 a whole lot of cheese in your cooking. 575 00:23:27,798 --> 00:23:30,315 Uh, not a lot, but I think, honestly, being on Top Chef, 576 00:23:30,392 --> 00:23:32,526 like, being pushed out of my comfort zone to do something 577 00:23:32,603 --> 00:23:34,194 I'm not used, I'm enjoying it the most. 578 00:23:34,271 --> 00:23:35,562 Well, that's what it does. 579 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:37,906 You can come in and say, "Well, I do what I do," 580 00:23:37,917 --> 00:23:40,200 you're going to hit a challenge and it's going to trip you up. 581 00:23:40,277 --> 00:23:41,919 Yeah, so this is a manju . 582 00:23:41,996 --> 00:23:43,996 My chef used to do it rolled in with mushrooms, 583 00:23:44,072 --> 00:23:45,539 carrots, pistachios, and cheese curds inside, 584 00:23:45,616 --> 00:23:47,207 and I have a cheese dashi that I made. 585 00:23:47,284 --> 00:23:49,042 -Okay. -That I'm going to starch up, 586 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:52,421 pour it over with a cheese miso, smoked cheese oil. 587 00:23:52,432 --> 00:23:53,989 Okay. 588 00:23:53,991 --> 00:23:56,091 And a cheese tuile that's going to go on top of it. 589 00:23:56,102 --> 00:23:58,385 -Sounds good, good luck. -Thank you very much. 590 00:23:58,462 --> 00:23:59,678 One hour, nine minutes. 591 00:23:59,755 --> 00:24:01,054 -Hey, Jamie. -Hi, Chef. 592 00:24:01,131 --> 00:24:02,514 What are you making? 593 00:24:02,591 --> 00:24:04,942 I'm gonna do, like, a Szechuan reserve cheese sauce, 594 00:24:05,019 --> 00:24:07,686 -and then sea bass. -Oh, sea bass. 595 00:24:07,763 --> 00:24:09,280 -Yes. -Okay. 596 00:24:09,356 --> 00:24:12,065 Yes, it hopefully comes out, I don't know. 597 00:24:12,142 --> 00:24:14,067 Do you do a lot of cheese and sea bass dishes? 598 00:24:14,144 --> 00:24:16,528 Uh... This is the first time, 599 00:24:16,605 --> 00:24:18,622 I'm gonna see how it's gonna work. 600 00:24:18,699 --> 00:24:21,366 What everybody's scared of is what I've seen already. 601 00:24:21,443 --> 00:24:23,202 Right, right, exactly, yeah. 602 00:24:23,278 --> 00:24:24,953 So, now I'm, like, going in, don't be like. 603 00:24:24,964 --> 00:24:26,622 I'm still like that, but yeah. 604 00:24:26,632 --> 00:24:28,707 You've already done it. Isn't that bad. It's okay. 605 00:24:28,784 --> 00:24:29,750 Sounds good. 606 00:24:29,826 --> 00:24:30,959 -[laughing] -Good luck. 607 00:24:30,970 --> 00:24:32,753 Thank you. 608 00:24:32,829 --> 00:24:34,379 All right, chefs, good luck. 609 00:24:34,456 --> 00:24:36,965 -Thank you, chef! -Goodbye, chef. 610 00:24:36,976 --> 00:24:39,635 Make it cheesy! 611 00:24:39,645 --> 00:24:42,471 Part of the challenge was inspired by Massimo Bottura, 612 00:24:42,482 --> 00:24:45,149 his five ages of Parmesan cheese. 613 00:24:45,226 --> 00:24:47,485 This is as much about a thought process, 614 00:24:47,561 --> 00:24:50,103 about approaching an ingredient as it is about cooking. 615 00:24:50,180 --> 00:24:53,065 You could say, "Well, why would we give them cheese five ways 616 00:24:53,141 --> 00:24:55,159 "with only four contestants left," and a lot on the line. 617 00:24:55,236 --> 00:24:57,277 I think it's going to push almost everybody 618 00:24:57,354 --> 00:24:58,654 out of their comfort zone 619 00:24:58,664 --> 00:25:00,405 and that's what you want to see right now. 620 00:25:00,482 --> 00:25:02,057 How's it going, Shota? 621 00:25:02,059 --> 00:25:05,336 Looking good. This dashi combination really excites me. 622 00:25:05,412 --> 00:25:07,129 You mind trying this? 623 00:25:08,508 --> 00:25:10,290 Maybe add more cheese? 624 00:25:10,367 --> 00:25:12,501 Sh-- 625 00:25:12,512 --> 00:25:16,263 This batch, figure this out. 626 00:25:20,836 --> 00:25:22,803 You mind trying this? 627 00:25:22,879 --> 00:25:25,189 Maybe add more cheese? 628 00:25:25,266 --> 00:25:26,807 Sh-- 629 00:25:26,883 --> 00:25:29,685 My biggest concern is incorporating cheese 630 00:25:29,695 --> 00:25:31,478 into my cuisines. 631 00:25:31,555 --> 00:25:33,605 Smoked cheese oil, just a drizzle on top. 632 00:25:33,682 --> 00:25:36,191 There's a part of me that feels like it might be too Japanese, 633 00:25:36,202 --> 00:25:37,484 and people might not understand the perspective. 634 00:25:37,561 --> 00:25:39,111 Do you mind trying it? 635 00:25:39,187 --> 00:25:40,529 That would, kind of, break my heart. 636 00:25:40,540 --> 00:25:42,373 Do you think I should put more cheese? 637 00:25:42,449 --> 00:25:44,157 Because I don't want it to be heavy. 638 00:25:44,234 --> 00:25:46,118 No, I think it's good. 639 00:25:46,194 --> 00:25:47,378 -Yeah? -Yeah. 640 00:25:47,454 --> 00:25:50,706 ♪♪♪ 641 00:25:50,716 --> 00:25:53,208 Right now, I am putting a little glaze 642 00:25:53,219 --> 00:25:56,628 I made out of apple juice, vinegar, and some chili. 643 00:25:56,705 --> 00:25:58,714 These apples are slowly roasting. 644 00:25:58,724 --> 00:26:01,725 There's a lot of expectations of what Mexican food is, 645 00:26:01,802 --> 00:26:05,220 and I am trying to present that in a new light. 646 00:26:05,231 --> 00:26:07,565 So, the cheese curds are breaded in masa. 647 00:26:07,641 --> 00:26:09,891 I've dusted them in some hoja santa powder, 648 00:26:09,902 --> 00:26:11,560 and then, in the salad, 649 00:26:11,571 --> 00:26:14,521 I am using some fresnos and some chili serranos. 650 00:26:14,598 --> 00:26:16,356 What are you working on, Dawn? 651 00:26:16,433 --> 00:26:17,741 Searing some leeks. 652 00:26:17,818 --> 00:26:20,578 and making the filling for my Gruyère right now. 653 00:26:20,654 --> 00:26:23,581 For this challenge, I conceptualized a dish 654 00:26:23,657 --> 00:26:25,365 that would not eat heavy. 655 00:26:25,442 --> 00:26:27,409 I definitely think it's cheese-forward, 656 00:26:27,420 --> 00:26:30,245 but I have 15 things to accomplish 657 00:26:30,256 --> 00:26:33,749 and they all have to be on the plate. Cheese Louise. 658 00:26:33,759 --> 00:26:36,877 -Less than 30 minutes. -Aah! 659 00:26:36,953 --> 00:26:39,838 Now this is funny, we're really eating in the factory. 660 00:26:39,915 --> 00:26:42,600 It's the factory. 661 00:26:42,676 --> 00:26:45,269 [chairs scraping] 662 00:26:45,346 --> 00:26:47,679 -Hi, girl. -Hi! 663 00:26:47,756 --> 00:26:49,440 And welcome to Nina Compton! 664 00:26:49,516 --> 00:26:51,442 [all] To Nina Compton! 665 00:26:51,518 --> 00:26:52,943 -Cheers. -Thank you. 666 00:26:53,020 --> 00:26:55,729 -Thank you for having us, Josh. -So excited to have you. 667 00:26:55,806 --> 00:26:58,774 The chefs were tasked with doing cheese 668 00:26:58,784 --> 00:27:00,901 in five different preparations on one dish. 669 00:27:00,977 --> 00:27:03,454 I'm excited to see what they've done, 670 00:27:03,530 --> 00:27:06,448 and if they maintained the integrity of the cheese itself, 671 00:27:06,459 --> 00:27:08,125 because that's what we're so passionate about here. 672 00:27:08,202 --> 00:27:10,535 Tom, what did you see in the walkthrough? 673 00:27:10,612 --> 00:27:12,371 -Cheese. -I'm sure! 674 00:27:12,447 --> 00:27:14,956 [all chuckling] 675 00:27:14,967 --> 00:27:19,544 Dawn, can you taste this real fast? It's my Reserve sauce. 676 00:27:19,621 --> 00:27:21,797 Tastes like peanut butter, for some reason. 677 00:27:21,807 --> 00:27:24,800 Uh, it's the cheese, and I've got a little sesame paste. 678 00:27:24,810 --> 00:27:27,302 -Okay, okay, yeah. Okay. -Yeah? 679 00:27:27,313 --> 00:27:29,471 Shota, what do you have over there? 680 00:27:29,482 --> 00:27:31,556 This is the tuile. 681 00:27:31,633 --> 00:27:33,475 These tuiles are coming out nice. 682 00:27:33,486 --> 00:27:35,653 I gotta start really focusing right now. 683 00:27:35,729 --> 00:27:39,156 There's ten minutes left, I haven't starched up my sauce, 684 00:27:39,233 --> 00:27:41,483 I haven't fried my dumplings yet. 685 00:27:41,494 --> 00:27:43,819 I need to make sure this doesn't melt on me. 686 00:27:43,829 --> 00:27:45,654 I got a lot to do. 687 00:27:45,665 --> 00:27:48,332 Jamie, can you pretty please help me here? 688 00:27:48,409 --> 00:27:50,492 Do you mind putting those dumplings crease-side up? 689 00:27:50,503 --> 00:27:52,661 This is the first time I'm running behind 690 00:27:52,672 --> 00:27:55,339 on plating a little bit. I think I'm good after that. 691 00:27:55,416 --> 00:27:58,342 -Thank you so much. -[alarm beeping] 692 00:28:00,680 --> 00:28:03,514 Beautiful. Hi, Shota. 693 00:28:03,590 --> 00:28:06,842 Tell us what the five techniques you used for this cheddar are. 694 00:28:06,852 --> 00:28:09,353 I actually went really traditional, uh, Japanese. 695 00:28:09,430 --> 00:28:12,639 Tofu cheddar manju with aged cheddar dashi, 696 00:28:12,716 --> 00:28:14,683 smoked cheddar oil, 697 00:28:14,694 --> 00:28:17,978 cheddar tofu miso, and a cheddar tuile. 698 00:28:18,054 --> 00:28:20,981 -Thank you so much, Shota. -Thank you. 699 00:28:21,057 --> 00:28:23,692 ♪♪♪ 700 00:28:23,703 --> 00:28:24,776 Mmm. 701 00:28:24,853 --> 00:28:26,695 -Wow. -It's delicious. 702 00:28:26,706 --> 00:28:27,863 -Wow. -Do you like it? 703 00:28:27,873 --> 00:28:29,531 -I loved it. -I love it. 704 00:28:29,542 --> 00:28:31,375 Yeah, I think it's so good. 705 00:28:31,452 --> 00:28:32,951 I've never had anything like this. 706 00:28:33,028 --> 00:28:35,871 I love all the textures, especially that dumpling. 707 00:28:35,881 --> 00:28:37,497 I think it's really inventive. 708 00:28:37,574 --> 00:28:39,666 Give this challenge to 100 different chefs, 709 00:28:39,743 --> 00:28:41,626 -you'll never get this dish. -No. No. 710 00:28:41,703 --> 00:28:43,295 I thought his dish was very beautiful, 711 00:28:43,371 --> 00:28:45,723 -I thought it was delicate. -I really enjoyed seeing 712 00:28:45,799 --> 00:28:48,383 the cheddar move into a Japanese-inspired dish. 713 00:28:48,394 --> 00:28:50,510 Just an incredible dish all the way around. 714 00:28:50,587 --> 00:28:52,563 He gave us something that was just so original. 715 00:28:52,639 --> 00:28:54,723 ♪♪♪ 716 00:28:54,734 --> 00:28:57,234 Hotel pan coming though. 717 00:28:57,311 --> 00:29:00,738 I really like to sous vide my rib-eye and steak in whey. 718 00:29:00,814 --> 00:29:04,742 Whey will impart a really interesting flavor 719 00:29:04,818 --> 00:29:07,861 and whey will also tenderize the protein. 720 00:29:07,938 --> 00:29:10,655 I need to cool these off. They're too hot. 721 00:29:10,732 --> 00:29:13,575 I just want to gentle water bath cook. 722 00:29:13,586 --> 00:29:16,703 I can't drop my rib-eyes in there and walk away 723 00:29:16,780 --> 00:29:18,422 because it's very hot. 724 00:29:18,499 --> 00:29:21,416 I put myself at risk of not cooking my rib-eye properly. 725 00:29:21,427 --> 00:29:24,544 ♪♪♪ 726 00:29:24,621 --> 00:29:27,756 Part of the beauty of eating cheddar is, you know, 727 00:29:27,767 --> 00:29:29,758 that melty, ooey-gooey deliciousness. 728 00:29:29,769 --> 00:29:32,603 I am going to pray to the cheese Gods of Tillamook 729 00:29:32,679 --> 00:29:34,763 to keep it hot and warm for me. 730 00:29:34,774 --> 00:29:38,776 -That's it. -[alarm ringing] 731 00:29:38,852 --> 00:29:42,780 ♪♪♪ 732 00:29:42,856 --> 00:29:44,898 -Ooh la la. -Hi, Gabe. 733 00:29:44,975 --> 00:29:47,943 Tell us about the five ways you used this cheddar. 734 00:29:47,953 --> 00:29:50,362 I love the affinity of cheddar and apples. 735 00:29:50,438 --> 00:29:54,115 I roasted some of the Reserve cheese to extract the oil, 736 00:29:54,126 --> 00:29:56,576 and I used that oil to roast the apples. 737 00:29:56,653 --> 00:29:57,869 There is a white cheddar foam, 738 00:29:57,946 --> 00:29:59,746 cheese curds that are masa-fried, 739 00:29:59,823 --> 00:30:03,583 a sauce of apples, bacon, and sharp cheddar, 740 00:30:03,660 --> 00:30:06,378 and then finally, a chip of cheese and apples. 741 00:30:06,454 --> 00:30:09,548 -How did you roast the apple? -The apple is nixtamalized to 742 00:30:09,624 --> 00:30:11,550 harden the pectin, and then that allows me to 743 00:30:11,626 --> 00:30:13,885 just roast it longer without losing the structure of it. 744 00:30:13,962 --> 00:30:15,979 -Thank you so much, Gabe. -Thank you. 745 00:30:16,056 --> 00:30:18,390 What do you think of Gabe's dish? 746 00:30:18,466 --> 00:30:21,643 I think it was beautiful, and his technique is spot on. 747 00:30:21,654 --> 00:30:24,771 -I loved that roasted apple. -That apple was phenomenal. 748 00:30:24,848 --> 00:30:26,990 That apple showed so much technique. 749 00:30:27,067 --> 00:30:29,660 It was a beautiful dish, I think he did a really great 750 00:30:29,736 --> 00:30:31,829 job manipulating the cheese in so many different ways, 751 00:30:31,905 --> 00:30:35,332 but that really bright, tart, pickled apple just 752 00:30:35,409 --> 00:30:37,158 -blew everything out for me. -Yep, yep. 753 00:30:37,169 --> 00:30:40,745 I loved it. The acidity, I loved that in this dish. 754 00:30:40,822 --> 00:30:43,665 Gabe went for it. His dish is showing us 755 00:30:43,676 --> 00:30:46,760 why he is here in the top four. 756 00:30:48,997 --> 00:30:52,799 Pushing. I'm about to dry my steaks and let them rest. 757 00:30:52,876 --> 00:30:56,011 Going to try to form these Gruyères as fast as I can. 758 00:30:56,021 --> 00:30:59,431 -Jamie? -Yeah? 759 00:30:59,507 --> 00:31:01,141 Will you have a second to help me plate? 760 00:31:01,217 --> 00:31:03,143 -Yes. -I have to fry these 761 00:31:03,219 --> 00:31:04,862 Gruyères real quick. I'mma plate right here. 762 00:31:04,938 --> 00:31:07,022 -I'm gonna clear all of this. -Okay. 763 00:31:07,032 --> 00:31:08,815 Do you have enough time for yourself, Jamie? 764 00:31:08,892 --> 00:31:12,861 -Ah, I'm gonna get there. -I am tired of racing the clock 765 00:31:12,872 --> 00:31:15,447 and I still have not done my Gruyère 766 00:31:15,523 --> 00:31:18,709 Oh, sh--. I feel threatened by this challenge. 767 00:31:18,785 --> 00:31:22,713 ♪♪♪ 768 00:31:26,076 --> 00:31:29,544 I'mma plate right here. I'm gonna clear all of this. 769 00:31:29,555 --> 00:31:32,505 Will you just help me portion? Flanks like that. 770 00:31:32,582 --> 00:31:34,558 -Got it. Okay. -I hate racing the clock. 771 00:31:34,635 --> 00:31:37,218 Okay, it goes that, then, um, the tomato. 772 00:31:37,229 --> 00:31:39,229 Inconsistencies in my plating, 773 00:31:39,306 --> 00:31:42,065 it's been my downfall this season 774 00:31:42,142 --> 00:31:44,902 and there really is no room for that anymore. 775 00:31:44,978 --> 00:31:46,570 Crumble, crumble, you can put that. 776 00:31:46,647 --> 00:31:48,238 Thank you. Six seconds. 777 00:31:48,315 --> 00:31:50,815 ♪♪♪ 778 00:31:50,892 --> 00:31:53,827 [alarm ringing] 779 00:31:56,231 --> 00:31:58,490 Hello! This is very hot. 780 00:31:58,566 --> 00:32:00,250 Ooh. That looks crispy. 781 00:32:00,327 --> 00:32:02,920 -What? -Is that Gruyère? 782 00:32:02,996 --> 00:32:04,996 -I want the crispy guy. -Oh, my God. 783 00:32:05,073 --> 00:32:07,257 You didn't get a crispy guy? 784 00:32:07,334 --> 00:32:09,760 -Hi, Dawn. -Hello, hello. 785 00:32:09,836 --> 00:32:11,670 When I heard the challenge was with cheese, 786 00:32:11,746 --> 00:32:13,764 the first thing I thought of is a cheesesteak, 787 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:15,548 because that's what I grew up with. 788 00:32:15,625 --> 00:32:18,093 I basted the steak in cheese oil. 789 00:32:18,103 --> 00:32:20,887 I have cheese salt on top of the rib-eye. 790 00:32:20,964 --> 00:32:23,941 I have a Gruyère of cheddar and cheddar-jack. 791 00:32:24,017 --> 00:32:25,225 Oh, this sh-- is hot. 792 00:32:25,301 --> 00:32:28,103 An extra sharp Reserve cheese foam, 793 00:32:28,113 --> 00:32:30,781 and a soubise and cheddar sauce. 794 00:32:30,857 --> 00:32:32,616 -Thank you, Dawn. -Thank you. 795 00:32:39,700 --> 00:32:41,792 -Who missed an ingredient? -She did. 796 00:32:41,868 --> 00:32:43,785 -What did you not get? -The Gruyère. 797 00:32:43,796 --> 00:32:47,130 All you've gotta do is get 12 of these things on a plate. 798 00:32:47,207 --> 00:32:48,915 Dawn's dish- when you say 799 00:32:48,992 --> 00:32:50,750 "I'm inspired by a Philly cheesesteak," 800 00:32:50,827 --> 00:32:54,212 it needs to taste as good as a Philly cheesesteak, and 801 00:32:54,289 --> 00:32:57,757 -I think she fell short of that. -I love the pure cheesiness. 802 00:32:57,834 --> 00:33:01,311 In terms of flavor and cheese, it's really punchy, 803 00:33:01,388 --> 00:33:04,973 but when you look at, from the first dish to now, 804 00:33:04,984 --> 00:33:07,600 the range of technique is a little bit lackluster. 805 00:33:07,677 --> 00:33:10,821 Dawn's food makes me happy, and we can nitpick all the little 806 00:33:10,897 --> 00:33:13,982 things about it, but the sauce? Fine, it's a little grainy, 807 00:33:13,993 --> 00:33:16,326 but you know what I'm gonna do with this? 808 00:33:16,403 --> 00:33:18,778 -[laughing] -The Gruyère was delicious. 809 00:33:18,855 --> 00:33:21,573 -Like, it was so cheesy. -That Gruyère missing on 810 00:33:21,649 --> 00:33:24,001 Brooke's plate may send Dawn home. 811 00:33:24,077 --> 00:33:26,786 I think it went well. 812 00:33:26,863 --> 00:33:29,622 Aw, now I gotta focus on myself. 813 00:33:29,699 --> 00:33:32,792 I was helping other people. Time got away from me. 814 00:33:32,869 --> 00:33:34,961 I was supposed to thin out my sauce with a broth 815 00:33:35,038 --> 00:33:36,346 and I didn't have time to do that. 816 00:33:36,423 --> 00:33:38,682 Ooh, I made myself fall behind. 817 00:33:38,759 --> 00:33:42,594 ♪♪♪ 818 00:33:42,670 --> 00:33:45,856 [timer beeping] 819 00:33:45,932 --> 00:33:48,975 ♪♪♪ 820 00:33:49,052 --> 00:33:51,194 Hi, Jamie. What did you do for us? 821 00:33:51,271 --> 00:33:54,981 So, I did pan-seared sea bass and a crispy cheddar 822 00:33:55,058 --> 00:33:56,867 and I made a spaetzle with the Reserve. 823 00:33:56,943 --> 00:33:59,277 I did a spiced cheese sauce underneath, 824 00:33:59,354 --> 00:34:00,871 with a little toasted sesame seeds. 825 00:34:00,947 --> 00:34:04,616 I made a cheese broth and I poached a bok choy on it, 826 00:34:04,692 --> 00:34:07,210 and I pickled the cheese curd. 827 00:34:07,287 --> 00:34:09,370 Why did you decide to do this with fish? 828 00:34:09,381 --> 00:34:11,882 Cheese is very heavy, so I wanted something light. 829 00:34:11,958 --> 00:34:14,667 -Thank you so much. -Thank you. 830 00:34:14,744 --> 00:34:16,887 Josh, I'm curious. 831 00:34:16,963 --> 00:34:20,223 Do you guys serve a lot of fish and cheese together? 832 00:34:20,300 --> 00:34:23,226 We don't, um, and it can be a stretch 833 00:34:23,303 --> 00:34:25,970 that she did an incredible job cooking that piece of fish. 834 00:34:26,047 --> 00:34:28,348 The crispy cheese bits on top of the fish 835 00:34:28,424 --> 00:34:30,183 is absolutely delicious. 836 00:34:30,260 --> 00:34:32,894 I've never had that before, and I think it works really well. 837 00:34:32,905 --> 00:34:34,729 -I like it a lot. -[laughing] 838 00:34:34,740 --> 00:34:37,908 You know, this idea of trying to work a protein into the dish 839 00:34:37,984 --> 00:34:39,910 I think was a big mistake. You don't need a protein. 840 00:34:39,986 --> 00:34:42,195 It could have been a pasta dish. But I don't think she showcased 841 00:34:42,272 --> 00:34:45,082 -five cheeses very well. -The sauce made no sense to me. 842 00:34:45,158 --> 00:34:48,326 Like, focus on one thing, but all those ingredients together, 843 00:34:48,403 --> 00:34:50,420 it didn't have any cohesion for me. 844 00:34:50,497 --> 00:34:53,331 But I think this dish was bold for Jamie to do, 845 00:34:53,408 --> 00:34:55,250 and I think she stepped out of her comfort zone. 846 00:34:55,260 --> 00:34:57,677 I think the dish was good and I would eat it again. 847 00:34:59,172 --> 00:35:01,673 It's very challenging when you're in the situation, 848 00:35:01,749 --> 00:35:03,266 to use such a singular ingredient 849 00:35:03,343 --> 00:35:05,260 and highlight it in so many different ways 850 00:35:05,270 --> 00:35:07,262 but still have a dish that feels like you. 851 00:35:07,272 --> 00:35:09,106 It really pushes you out of your box, 852 00:35:09,182 --> 00:35:10,849 and you really have to get creative. 853 00:35:10,925 --> 00:35:14,185 We have four chefs with four very specific points of view, 854 00:35:14,262 --> 00:35:16,113 and that's fantastic. 855 00:35:16,189 --> 00:35:18,064 It also gives us a lot to think about. 856 00:35:18,141 --> 00:35:20,024 Let's get to Judges' Table. 857 00:35:20,101 --> 00:35:25,956 ♪♪♪ 858 00:35:26,032 --> 00:35:31,703 ♪♪♪ 859 00:35:31,779 --> 00:35:33,246 I think this is an interesting challenge, 860 00:35:33,323 --> 00:35:34,873 because it'd be one thing to say 861 00:35:34,949 --> 00:35:36,708 "take cheddar cheese and make a dish," 862 00:35:36,784 --> 00:35:38,969 and then of course whoever makes the best dish kinda wins, right? 863 00:35:39,045 --> 00:35:40,470 But it's who used that ingredient the best, 864 00:35:40,547 --> 00:35:41,805 five different ways. 865 00:35:41,882 --> 00:35:43,140 It's a different type of challenge. 866 00:35:43,216 --> 00:35:44,474 It's almost a study. 867 00:35:44,551 --> 00:35:46,384 -It's a meditation on cheese. -Yeah. 868 00:35:46,461 --> 00:35:51,806 We did have four very distinct dishes today, 869 00:35:51,817 --> 00:35:56,987 but there was one dish that stood out above the rest. 870 00:35:57,063 --> 00:36:02,317 The winning dish today showed this person could take cheddar 871 00:36:02,327 --> 00:36:04,995 and evolve it into their own cuisine, 872 00:36:05,071 --> 00:36:09,157 but still give us a delicious dish. 873 00:36:09,168 --> 00:36:11,501 And the winner is... 874 00:36:11,578 --> 00:36:14,287 ♪♪♪ 875 00:36:14,364 --> 00:36:17,174 Shota. 876 00:36:17,250 --> 00:36:19,009 Congratulations, Shota. 877 00:36:19,085 --> 00:36:21,461 Not only did you win this elimination challenge, 878 00:36:21,537 --> 00:36:25,840 but you've won $10,000 from our friends at Tillamook. 879 00:36:25,851 --> 00:36:30,011 $10,000, yes! I'm not broke anymore. 880 00:36:30,022 --> 00:36:32,263 Well, you know, a little less broke. 881 00:36:32,340 --> 00:36:35,025 There's a big part of me coming onto Top Chef that I was, like, 882 00:36:35,101 --> 00:36:37,769 worried about trying to not do anything too Japanese 883 00:36:37,845 --> 00:36:39,362 because it might be hard to understand. 884 00:36:39,439 --> 00:36:41,773 And the crazy thing is, after you tasted a few bites, 885 00:36:41,849 --> 00:36:43,524 you felt like the cheddar belonged in there, 886 00:36:43,535 --> 00:36:45,202 which is a crazy thing to think about, 887 00:36:45,278 --> 00:36:48,154 because it's so antithetical to Japanese cooking. 888 00:36:48,231 --> 00:36:50,823 It really felt like you went out on a limb today, Shota, 889 00:36:50,900 --> 00:36:52,375 and I'm so glad you did. Don't underestimate us. 890 00:36:52,452 --> 00:36:53,877 We are here for it. 891 00:36:53,954 --> 00:36:55,536 I like the way you were thinking there. 892 00:36:55,547 --> 00:36:57,380 Taking a dish that is made with tofu and thinking, 893 00:36:57,457 --> 00:36:59,123 "Okay, I can substitute cheddar in there, 894 00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:01,501 I can get flavor in there," I think you nailed it. 895 00:37:01,577 --> 00:37:03,887 It means a lot to me to win on that dish today, 896 00:37:03,964 --> 00:37:05,171 so, thank you very much. 897 00:37:05,248 --> 00:37:07,298 You can step aside, Shota. 898 00:37:07,375 --> 00:37:10,051 You know, when it comes to the final four, 899 00:37:10,062 --> 00:37:13,972 it's always tough, because everything's so good. 900 00:37:14,048 --> 00:37:17,183 Whoever goes home today should go home knowing 901 00:37:17,260 --> 00:37:20,403 there was still great food on that plate. 902 00:37:20,480 --> 00:37:23,931 ♪♪♪ 903 00:37:27,729 --> 00:37:31,248 Let's start with you, Gabe. Walk us through your dish. 904 00:37:31,324 --> 00:37:32,657 I really wanted to show some technique 905 00:37:32,734 --> 00:37:34,993 with the apple and cooking in the cheddar fat. 906 00:37:35,069 --> 00:37:37,420 I love the idea of you stepping outside 907 00:37:37,497 --> 00:37:39,080 of what you normally have been giving us. 908 00:37:39,091 --> 00:37:41,582 These are the risks that, in this competition, 909 00:37:41,593 --> 00:37:43,668 get you to the top. 910 00:37:43,745 --> 00:37:45,595 The technique you showed today, Gabe, 911 00:37:45,672 --> 00:37:48,256 on so many of the components you gave us, 912 00:37:48,267 --> 00:37:49,674 was staggering, beautiful. 913 00:37:49,751 --> 00:37:52,093 And such distinct uses of the cheese 914 00:37:52,104 --> 00:37:54,220 that I was really, really impressed. 915 00:37:54,297 --> 00:37:55,605 Thank you. 916 00:37:55,682 --> 00:37:57,941 My problem with the dish is it wasn't cheese-forward. 917 00:37:58,018 --> 00:38:00,018 The best piece of the dish was the apple. 918 00:38:00,094 --> 00:38:02,112 That said, I really liked the dish. 919 00:38:02,188 --> 00:38:04,355 I mean, to me, it was a composed cheese plate 920 00:38:04,432 --> 00:38:06,357 before the dessert in a tasting menu. 921 00:38:06,434 --> 00:38:08,359 -Dawn. -Yes. 922 00:38:08,436 --> 00:38:10,120 I love the starting point, Philadelphia cheesesteak. 923 00:38:10,196 --> 00:38:11,904 We all know it, but we asked you 924 00:38:11,981 --> 00:38:13,406 to do cheese five different ways, 925 00:38:13,483 --> 00:38:14,949 and three of those ways were sauces. 926 00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:16,701 So, for me, it was, like, a missed opportunity 927 00:38:16,778 --> 00:38:18,953 to do something a little more creative. 928 00:38:18,964 --> 00:38:21,039 Now, one person did not get a Gruyère. 929 00:38:21,115 --> 00:38:23,541 This keeps happening, you know? 930 00:38:23,618 --> 00:38:25,626 You gotta pay attention to the stuff. 931 00:38:25,637 --> 00:38:27,211 I really don't know how I did it. 932 00:38:27,288 --> 00:38:30,423 I checked every one, and Jamie was helping me. 933 00:38:30,500 --> 00:38:32,133 I checked it too. 934 00:38:32,144 --> 00:38:33,935 Just letting you know, one was missing. 935 00:38:35,647 --> 00:38:37,555 That's ----ed up. 936 00:38:37,632 --> 00:38:39,223 Dawn, the sauce was grainy. 937 00:38:39,300 --> 00:38:41,559 On top of missing a component, 938 00:38:41,636 --> 00:38:44,145 those are the details that, if you want to win, 939 00:38:44,156 --> 00:38:47,106 you have to identify them and overcome them. 940 00:38:47,183 --> 00:38:50,660 The Gruyère was absolutely the star of the day. 941 00:38:50,737 --> 00:38:53,237 -Thank you. -But not everyone got it. 942 00:38:53,314 --> 00:38:56,074 -I'm really glad it wasn't me. -Me too. 943 00:38:56,150 --> 00:38:59,336 I like the way you cook. I like your flavors, 944 00:38:59,412 --> 00:39:01,454 and everything you cook is well-seasoned. 945 00:39:01,531 --> 00:39:04,082 The soubise in the little carafe, 946 00:39:04,158 --> 00:39:05,958 I had to drink it afterwards, it was so good. 947 00:39:06,035 --> 00:39:08,628 The Gruyère was probably the best bite of food 948 00:39:08,704 --> 00:39:11,506 -I had all night. -Thank you, Chef. 949 00:39:11,516 --> 00:39:12,965 Jamie. 950 00:39:13,042 --> 00:39:14,425 I thought the spaetzle was really good. 951 00:39:14,502 --> 00:39:16,427 I thought your fish was beautifully cooked, 952 00:39:16,504 --> 00:39:18,355 and the crispy bits on top were really nice. 953 00:39:18,431 --> 00:39:20,348 The sauce, because of all the other ingredients in there, 954 00:39:20,359 --> 00:39:23,434 it lost its cheesiness. I know the five things you did, 955 00:39:23,511 --> 00:39:25,195 I just didn't see them amped up enough 956 00:39:25,271 --> 00:39:27,105 to make them distinct and really special. 957 00:39:27,181 --> 00:39:29,107 -Okay. -Of all the dishes today, 958 00:39:29,183 --> 00:39:31,201 you had the most ambitious ideas. 959 00:39:31,277 --> 00:39:33,277 If Shota's dish came from Japan 960 00:39:33,354 --> 00:39:34,695 and Dawn's dish came from Philadelphia, 961 00:39:34,706 --> 00:39:37,040 like, your dish came from outer space. 962 00:39:37,117 --> 00:39:39,659 I think it's great, but the one thing you have to be careful is 963 00:39:39,735 --> 00:39:41,369 if you are gonna go out there, 964 00:39:41,380 --> 00:39:43,788 you have to have the technique to back it up. 965 00:39:43,865 --> 00:39:47,166 There were a lot of zany, beautiful moments in that dish, 966 00:39:47,243 --> 00:39:50,628 but I found the sauce to really eat like tahini. 967 00:39:50,705 --> 00:39:52,430 It wasn't cheesy at all. 968 00:39:54,393 --> 00:39:56,634 Thank you so much for this glorious cheese dinner. 969 00:39:56,711 --> 00:39:58,177 We'll call you back in a bit. 970 00:39:58,254 --> 00:39:59,562 -Thank you. -Thank you. 971 00:39:59,639 --> 00:40:01,639 Good job, man. 972 00:40:01,716 --> 00:40:04,725 ♪♪♪ 973 00:40:04,736 --> 00:40:06,736 You know, what I love about this challenge 974 00:40:06,813 --> 00:40:08,688 is that it's not just about making a successful dish. 975 00:40:08,764 --> 00:40:11,649 It's to use one ingredient and show it to us 976 00:40:11,726 --> 00:40:14,694 in five very different, interesting ways. 977 00:40:14,770 --> 00:40:17,029 Gabe put together a really solid dish. 978 00:40:17,106 --> 00:40:18,739 It was just simply out of balance. 979 00:40:18,750 --> 00:40:21,742 He gave us a beautiful study of cheese and apples, 980 00:40:21,753 --> 00:40:24,495 but I definitely don't see how all of the elements 981 00:40:24,572 --> 00:40:27,665 really went together to form one cohesive dish. 982 00:40:27,742 --> 00:40:30,168 At this point, there's no room for mistakes. 983 00:40:30,244 --> 00:40:32,429 Mistakes get harder to eliminate. 984 00:40:32,505 --> 00:40:34,172 Yeah. 985 00:40:34,248 --> 00:40:36,340 We all know Dawn did not serve Brooke 986 00:40:36,417 --> 00:40:38,176 the Gruyère that we all loved. 987 00:40:38,252 --> 00:40:40,219 One of the ways I judge food sometimes 988 00:40:40,296 --> 00:40:42,555 is by the number of involuntary noises you make. 989 00:40:42,632 --> 00:40:45,349 With Gabe, everything was like, "mhm," "hmm," "interesting." 990 00:40:45,426 --> 00:40:46,684 It was really intellectual. 991 00:40:46,761 --> 00:40:49,270 But Dawn's food-- and I know it has flaws-- 992 00:40:49,281 --> 00:40:51,189 but it just made me go, "ahh." 993 00:40:51,265 --> 00:40:53,441 -Her food gives me a hug. -Yes. 994 00:40:53,452 --> 00:40:58,070 If Dawn can't get every element of her dish onto plates, 995 00:40:58,147 --> 00:40:59,747 I have to question if she can move on. 996 00:41:01,793 --> 00:41:03,534 When you hear people talk about 997 00:41:03,611 --> 00:41:05,203 "fish and cheese don't go together," 998 00:41:05,279 --> 00:41:06,704 Jamie's dish is the reason why 999 00:41:06,781 --> 00:41:08,706 people talk about it in that manner. 1000 00:41:08,783 --> 00:41:10,583 The fish was the biggest problem in Jamie's dish. 1001 00:41:10,660 --> 00:41:12,418 The fish was the best part of her dish. 1002 00:41:12,495 --> 00:41:14,471 The fish in itself, but not in context-- 1003 00:41:14,547 --> 00:41:15,880 No, no, I understand, I know. 1004 00:41:15,957 --> 00:41:18,216 It did not belong in that dish. 1005 00:41:18,292 --> 00:41:19,884 Right, but it was the best part of that dish. 1006 00:41:19,961 --> 00:41:21,219 The sauce didn't taste like cheese, 1007 00:41:21,295 --> 00:41:22,870 it tasted like sesame something, 1008 00:41:22,872 --> 00:41:25,556 and it was really heavy and just not cheese-forward at all. 1009 00:41:25,633 --> 00:41:26,891 And I hate that for her, 1010 00:41:26,968 --> 00:41:28,809 because when she was cooking Vietnamese food, 1011 00:41:28,820 --> 00:41:31,229 it was so good, and she just got flustered by the cheese. 1012 00:41:31,305 --> 00:41:34,106 I knew my dish was wacky. I just was stressed and, like, 1013 00:41:34,183 --> 00:41:36,234 "Ah, fish and cheese, what were you thinking?" 1014 00:41:36,310 --> 00:41:38,611 But I was like, "All right, you did it." 1015 00:41:38,688 --> 00:41:41,572 Well, I think we have our answer, yes? 1016 00:41:41,649 --> 00:41:44,158 -Yes. -Let's get them out here. 1017 00:41:44,169 --> 00:41:52,500 ♪♪♪ 1018 00:41:52,511 --> 00:41:54,919 You know, chefs, this challenge starts a world away in Italy, 1019 00:41:54,996 --> 00:41:58,589 with a fantastic chef who decided to do a study 1020 00:41:58,666 --> 00:42:00,800 in Parmigiano-Reggiano, and it was successful 1021 00:42:00,876 --> 00:42:04,345 because he still retained the inherent nature of that cheese. 1022 00:42:04,356 --> 00:42:07,181 Unfortunately, our least favorite dish tonight 1023 00:42:07,192 --> 00:42:10,476 lost the sense of what that cheddar is all about. 1024 00:42:10,553 --> 00:42:14,522 ♪♪♪ 1025 00:42:14,533 --> 00:42:18,150 Jamie, please pack your knives and go. 1026 00:42:18,227 --> 00:42:21,487 I want to thank you guys for this opportunity again, 1027 00:42:21,564 --> 00:42:24,949 for you guys to understand now, my wackiness. I am wacky. 1028 00:42:25,026 --> 00:42:26,450 Jamie, it was an absolute pleasure 1029 00:42:26,527 --> 00:42:27,868 having you on Top Chef. 1030 00:42:27,879 --> 00:42:30,621 You are zany and crazy. Never change. 1031 00:42:30,698 --> 00:42:32,715 -Embrace the wackiness. -Yes! 1032 00:42:32,792 --> 00:42:36,377 I can't wait to taste your food in your restaurant very soon. 1033 00:42:36,388 --> 00:42:37,628 I can't wait, too. 1034 00:42:37,705 --> 00:42:39,389 Drunk, drunk, drunk, lit, lit, lit, 1035 00:42:39,465 --> 00:42:40,673 -every single one of you. -[all laughing] 1036 00:42:40,750 --> 00:42:42,466 Whiskey on me! 1037 00:42:42,543 --> 00:42:44,844 -We can't wait for that either. -Thank you. 1038 00:42:44,920 --> 00:42:46,887 Thank you. Well, I guess we can clear out the room 1039 00:42:46,898 --> 00:42:48,639 like I cut the cheese. 1040 00:42:48,716 --> 00:42:50,558 -[laughing] -Thank you. 1041 00:42:50,569 --> 00:42:52,643 [giggling] 1042 00:42:52,720 --> 00:42:54,478 I am definitely proud of myself. 1043 00:42:54,555 --> 00:42:57,240 I did pretty well, I filled my heart. 1044 00:42:57,317 --> 00:43:00,318 It's me. It's okay. 1045 00:43:00,394 --> 00:43:03,413 I did grow as a person throughout this experience, 1046 00:43:03,489 --> 00:43:07,584 but I think I'm good with the competitive cooking for now. 1047 00:43:07,660 --> 00:43:09,827 I'll never forget cooking with you on the first day. 1048 00:43:09,904 --> 00:43:13,539 I mean, you literally told me, "I'm so nervous!" 1049 00:43:13,616 --> 00:43:16,250 [all laughing] 1050 00:43:16,261 --> 00:43:19,762 Shota, Dawn, and Gabe, you guys are badasses. 1051 00:43:19,839 --> 00:43:20,838 Bye, guys. 1052 00:43:20,915 --> 00:43:22,506 -Bye. -Bye. 1053 00:43:22,583 --> 00:43:24,550 I will be in Vegas waiting for you guys. 1054 00:43:24,627 --> 00:43:26,510 We're gonna get lit. 1055 00:43:26,587 --> 00:43:27,887 I'm out, bitches. 1056 00:43:27,963 --> 00:43:29,439 [giggling] 1057 00:43:31,276 --> 00:43:33,434 Next time on Top Chef... 1058 00:43:33,445 --> 00:43:36,604 -There's a squid hole! -Bingo! 1059 00:43:36,615 --> 00:43:39,607 -If you dig it, they will come. -[laughing] 1060 00:43:39,618 --> 00:43:41,567 Since we're here on the coast, 1061 00:43:41,644 --> 00:43:46,364 it only seems right that we pay homage to James Beard 1062 00:43:46,440 --> 00:43:49,575 by cooking with one of his favorite ingredients. 1063 00:43:49,652 --> 00:43:50,543 Dungeness crab. 1064 00:43:52,038 --> 00:43:53,463 Ow! 1065 00:43:53,539 --> 00:43:54,964 Good thing I'm tough, huh? 1066 00:43:55,041 --> 00:43:57,583 -[crunching] -This is not formal dress food! 1067 00:43:57,660 --> 00:43:59,469 -Wow. -You still have it on your nose! 1068 00:43:59,545 --> 00:44:02,639 Whoever makes it out of here will go on to the finale. 1069 00:44:02,715 --> 00:44:03,798 Excuse me. 1070 00:44:03,808 --> 00:44:04,965 One tortilla short. 1071 00:44:04,976 --> 00:44:06,425 There was a missing tortilla. 1072 00:44:06,502 --> 00:44:09,303 This is a $250,000 mistake. 1073 00:44:09,314 --> 00:44:10,772 ♪♪♪