1 00:00:00,967 --> 00:00:02,267 The house always wins. Let's prove it wrong. 2 00:00:02,269 --> 00:00:04,336 Oh yeah, you don't like that. 3 00:00:05,438 --> 00:00:07,206 [all exclaiming] 4 00:00:07,208 --> 00:00:10,509 [Ted] Chopped has always been the ultimate culinary gamble. 5 00:00:10,511 --> 00:00:11,844 Oh yeah, baby! 6 00:00:11,846 --> 00:00:12,811 [Ted] But this tournament gives competitors 7 00:00:12,813 --> 00:00:15,881 control of the game like never before. 8 00:00:15,883 --> 00:00:18,984 [man] Hell yeah, if it's something I can switch out and roll the dice on, 9 00:00:18,986 --> 00:00:20,319 I'm gonna do it. 10 00:00:20,321 --> 00:00:22,021 [all cheering] Big money. 11 00:00:22,023 --> 00:00:24,823 Need a new food truck, baby. Let's go. 12 00:00:24,825 --> 00:00:26,392 [Ted] Let's see what you've got? 13 00:00:26,793 --> 00:00:28,260 Boom shakalaka! 14 00:00:29,462 --> 00:00:30,796 The lights are bright and the stakes are high. 15 00:00:30,798 --> 00:00:33,399 Minimum of $25,000 to the winner. 16 00:00:34,968 --> 00:00:35,834 Telling us there could be more. 17 00:00:35,836 --> 00:00:36,969 I am. 18 00:00:38,471 --> 00:00:39,838 Come on, lady luck! 19 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,741 It's still Chopped! It's still brutal. 20 00:00:42,743 --> 00:00:43,876 [softly] It's crazy good. 21 00:00:43,878 --> 00:00:45,044 [Ted] It's harder than ever. 22 00:00:45,046 --> 00:00:46,178 Go, go, go, go, go! 23 00:00:46,180 --> 00:00:49,148 - Are you feeling lucky? - Yes. 24 00:00:49,150 --> 00:00:50,783 [Ted] Let the good times roll! 25 00:00:50,785 --> 00:00:52,384 [man] Ooh, Lord have mercy. 26 00:00:53,219 --> 00:00:55,320 [Ted] Here are the chefs. 27 00:00:55,322 --> 00:00:56,722 [Tajahi] I believe in luck. 28 00:00:57,057 --> 00:01:00,059 I know what risks to take and what risk I should not take. 29 00:01:01,027 --> 00:01:02,361 [Raquel] What drives me is passion. 30 00:01:02,363 --> 00:01:05,531 Keep pushing beyond what people expect to see. 31 00:01:05,533 --> 00:01:09,468 [Zoe] I love to compete. It's not just the winning, it's that whole process. 32 00:01:09,470 --> 00:01:11,570 [Nick] I believe in luck, but it works out a little better 33 00:01:11,572 --> 00:01:13,972 when you've got the talent to go with it. 34 00:01:15,708 --> 00:01:18,644 I'm the executive chef at Bardot Brasserie in Las Vegas, Nevada. 35 00:01:18,646 --> 00:01:22,581 My restaurant is located inside the casino. 36 00:01:22,583 --> 00:01:27,686 My culinary point of view is a French technique-driven with the best ingredients. 37 00:01:27,688 --> 00:01:30,389 They say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas 38 00:01:30,391 --> 00:01:32,057 and what happens in this tournament 39 00:01:32,059 --> 00:01:34,326 I'm looking forward to telling everybody back home. 40 00:01:39,199 --> 00:01:40,933 [Tajahi] My last name is Cooke. 41 00:01:40,935 --> 00:01:42,401 Ya mon, that looks good. 42 00:01:42,403 --> 00:01:44,236 [Tajahi] I'm just trying to live up to it. 43 00:01:45,705 --> 00:01:48,941 I'm the chef-owner of Miss Betty's supper club in Denver, Colorado. 44 00:01:48,943 --> 00:01:50,976 Miss Betsy is my grandmother. 45 00:01:50,978 --> 00:01:52,644 She taught me how to appreciate the ingredients 46 00:01:52,646 --> 00:01:54,179 and appreciate family. 47 00:01:55,115 --> 00:01:58,183 I like to fuse Africa, and the Caribbean. 48 00:01:58,185 --> 00:01:59,351 I love this. 49 00:02:00,753 --> 00:02:02,221 I know where I come from. 50 00:02:02,856 --> 00:02:04,123 I came to whoop some tail. 51 00:02:07,660 --> 00:02:09,795 [Raquel] I cook all kinds of food, 52 00:02:09,797 --> 00:02:12,464 but my background is southern soul food with a Cajun flair. 53 00:02:12,765 --> 00:02:15,134 Oh yes, perfect. Time to roll. 54 00:02:15,136 --> 00:02:18,470 I am the executive chef of Panoptic in Birmingham, Alabama. 55 00:02:18,472 --> 00:02:20,172 Panoptic means all inclusive. 56 00:02:20,174 --> 00:02:21,807 It's not just one style of cooking. 57 00:02:21,809 --> 00:02:23,909 Oh yeah, order ready. 58 00:02:23,911 --> 00:02:27,212 Just like I've achieved many of my other goals, 59 00:02:27,214 --> 00:02:28,947 it's in me to win Chopped today. 60 00:02:32,986 --> 00:02:34,386 [Zoe] I'm definitely a risk-taker. 61 00:02:35,755 --> 00:02:37,789 I own a restaurant in Chicago. 62 00:02:37,791 --> 00:02:40,092 The competition there is hugely fierce. 63 00:02:40,793 --> 00:02:41,894 The first year, after we opened, 64 00:02:41,896 --> 00:02:44,429 I was nominated for a James Beard award, 65 00:02:44,431 --> 00:02:47,933 I make classic American comfort food, reimagined. 66 00:02:47,935 --> 00:02:49,535 Things that you're familiar with or comfortable with, 67 00:02:49,537 --> 00:02:51,270 with a little bit of a twist. 68 00:02:52,839 --> 00:02:56,475 I'm very competitive. So, I like the thrill of playing a high stakes game. 69 00:03:01,481 --> 00:03:02,481 [Tajahi] It's cold. 70 00:03:02,483 --> 00:03:04,883 - It is so cold. - Seriously. 71 00:03:04,885 --> 00:03:06,852 It's gonna feel really different watching it on TV. 72 00:03:06,854 --> 00:03:08,253 I'll tell you that for sure. 73 00:03:08,821 --> 00:03:10,455 [Zoe] I noticed right away 74 00:03:10,457 --> 00:03:13,825 this giant craps table and a bunch of golden cloches. 75 00:03:13,827 --> 00:03:16,328 It looks like we might have a chance to play some games today. 76 00:03:17,630 --> 00:03:19,131 - Hello, chefs. - Hello, Ted. 77 00:03:19,133 --> 00:03:21,533 Welcome to our culinary casino. 78 00:03:21,535 --> 00:03:23,101 - Thank you. - Glad to be here. 79 00:03:23,103 --> 00:03:25,604 [Ted] Here are the house rules for this special tournament. 80 00:03:25,606 --> 00:03:27,472 After you open your mystery basket, 81 00:03:27,474 --> 00:03:30,042 you can choose to ditch an ingredient 82 00:03:30,044 --> 00:03:32,344 and choose another one by the roll of the dice. 83 00:03:32,346 --> 00:03:33,345 What? 84 00:03:33,479 --> 00:03:34,746 Wow. 85 00:03:34,981 --> 00:03:38,083 Roll an even number and you'll get a lucky new ingredient. 86 00:03:38,085 --> 00:03:40,018 Roll an odd number, 87 00:03:40,020 --> 00:03:41,053 you'll get a bad one. 88 00:03:41,154 --> 00:03:42,154 Oh. 89 00:03:42,156 --> 00:03:46,058 And trust me, there are some very bad ingredients 90 00:03:46,593 --> 00:03:48,260 under those golden cloches. 91 00:03:49,362 --> 00:03:51,763 The winner advances to the grand finale. 92 00:03:51,765 --> 00:03:56,201 Final jackpot there, $25,000 minimum. 93 00:03:57,937 --> 00:03:59,238 Gotta open these baskets. 94 00:04:01,474 --> 00:04:02,407 Go for it. 95 00:04:03,476 --> 00:04:04,476 And you've been given 96 00:04:05,111 --> 00:04:07,346 champagne gummy bears, 97 00:04:09,015 --> 00:04:10,182 radishes, 98 00:04:12,885 --> 00:04:14,086 creamed sliced beef. 99 00:04:14,088 --> 00:04:15,187 No. 100 00:04:17,190 --> 00:04:18,023 This is not good. 101 00:04:18,025 --> 00:04:20,826 And pork bung. 102 00:04:20,828 --> 00:04:23,395 I looked down and Pow! I am hit in the nose. 103 00:04:24,030 --> 00:04:26,999 - Oh! - What is this? 104 00:04:27,066 --> 00:04:30,469 Pork bung tastes like, butt. 105 00:04:31,437 --> 00:04:33,138 I don't even know if I'm willing to taste it. 106 00:04:33,140 --> 00:04:37,075 Does anybody want to gamble on swapping something out. 107 00:04:38,978 --> 00:04:40,445 The pork! The Porky Pig. 108 00:04:40,447 --> 00:04:43,982 - No kidding. - It smells like your rear end. 109 00:04:43,984 --> 00:04:46,952 - I think I'll do the same. - I think I'll be swapping out the pork bung. 110 00:04:46,954 --> 00:04:48,120 Chef, you're ditching the radishes? 111 00:04:48,122 --> 00:04:49,988 No, no, the pork bung. 112 00:04:49,990 --> 00:04:51,356 Let's go to the craps table. 113 00:04:54,494 --> 00:04:56,662 I like to gamble. I'm looking forward to getting to roll the dice. 114 00:04:56,664 --> 00:04:58,096 [Ted] Let's do this thing. 115 00:04:58,098 --> 00:04:59,998 Anything's gotta be better than pork bung. 116 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,933 [all cheering] 117 00:05:03,102 --> 00:05:04,035 No! 118 00:05:04,037 --> 00:05:07,172 [Ted] Zoe, you have rolled an unlucky number 119 00:05:07,174 --> 00:05:09,241 and now we have to see what you are cooking with. 120 00:05:12,679 --> 00:05:13,745 Chili dogs! 121 00:05:13,747 --> 00:05:15,647 [Raquel] All right, that's not that bad. 122 00:05:15,649 --> 00:05:18,083 That's not bad at all. Chef Nick. 123 00:05:18,085 --> 00:05:20,018 - Rolling bones. - [Tiffani] Here we go! 124 00:05:21,187 --> 00:05:23,255 Oh wow! Lucky you. 125 00:05:23,257 --> 00:05:24,489 Nick, you rolled a four. 126 00:05:25,224 --> 00:05:27,059 Kohlrabi. 127 00:05:27,894 --> 00:05:28,727 I'll take it. 128 00:05:28,729 --> 00:05:30,996 - Who's next? - Thank you sir. 129 00:05:30,998 --> 00:05:34,066 Roll them up. Let's go, let's go, let's go. 130 00:05:35,468 --> 00:05:37,436 Whoa! 131 00:05:37,937 --> 00:05:39,471 - Seven. - Oh! 132 00:05:40,173 --> 00:05:41,406 Let's see what you've got. 133 00:05:42,542 --> 00:05:45,711 Pork brains in gravy. 134 00:05:45,713 --> 00:05:49,181 It's okay. I feel very optimistic compared to the bung. 135 00:05:49,882 --> 00:05:51,183 [Ted] Raquel, I just have to warn you 136 00:05:51,185 --> 00:05:52,718 you're rolling at your own risk here. 137 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:53,485 All right. 138 00:05:54,921 --> 00:05:56,321 Come on Raquel! Let's do this. 139 00:05:58,491 --> 00:06:00,058 [Ted] Lucky number six. 140 00:06:00,693 --> 00:06:03,095 Let's see what's under the clothe. 141 00:06:03,696 --> 00:06:05,897 - [Ted] Black Garlic! - [Raquel] Yes! 142 00:06:05,899 --> 00:06:07,099 - [Chris] That's a good one. - [Ted] Great work. 143 00:06:07,166 --> 00:06:08,867 I'm excited. 144 00:06:08,869 --> 00:06:11,069 All right, happy or not, 20 minutes. 145 00:06:11,771 --> 00:06:13,238 Time starts now! 146 00:06:15,775 --> 00:06:17,909 - Right behind, chef? - Right behind, right behind. 147 00:06:17,911 --> 00:06:20,912 Casino Royale is a high stakes tournament. 148 00:06:20,914 --> 00:06:24,249 Minimum of $25,000 for the winner. 149 00:06:24,251 --> 00:06:27,185 [Tiffani] All four chefs chose to get rid of the pork bung. 150 00:06:28,821 --> 00:06:29,955 They all gambled. 151 00:06:30,823 --> 00:06:33,125 [Raquel] My nose just got a dose. 152 00:06:33,127 --> 00:06:34,693 My favorite cuisine is Asian food. 153 00:06:34,695 --> 00:06:38,096 So, my plan is to make a spring roll. 154 00:06:38,098 --> 00:06:43,835 I realized I can use creamed beef as a sauce for sauteed vegetables. 155 00:06:43,837 --> 00:06:45,637 Got the black garlic in my radishes. 156 00:06:45,639 --> 00:06:46,871 I'm making my filling. 157 00:06:46,873 --> 00:06:50,876 I go ahead and add my black garlic and those radishes. 158 00:06:50,878 --> 00:06:53,912 To be able to exchange an ingredient that was absolutely awful 159 00:06:53,914 --> 00:06:56,181 for black garlic was a lot better. 160 00:06:56,183 --> 00:06:58,216 I know how to make garlic work. 161 00:06:58,718 --> 00:06:59,684 It's delicious. 162 00:06:59,752 --> 00:07:01,119 [Tiffani] Black garlic, is not raw garlic, 163 00:07:01,121 --> 00:07:02,954 it's essentially been cooked by fermentation. 164 00:07:02,956 --> 00:07:06,057 Yeah, and it doesn't have the sharpness of raw garlic. 165 00:07:06,059 --> 00:07:07,692 [Chris] I think Raquel, is the big winner here. 166 00:07:07,694 --> 00:07:08,626 But Tajahi, 167 00:07:09,929 --> 00:07:14,166 went for pork bung to pork brains in gravy. 168 00:07:14,168 --> 00:07:15,300 [Christian] Did you taste those pork brains? 169 00:07:18,137 --> 00:07:19,571 - How is it? - It could be worse. 170 00:07:19,573 --> 00:07:20,605 Okay. 171 00:07:20,607 --> 00:07:22,941 I'm happy, that I got dealt pork brains. 172 00:07:22,943 --> 00:07:24,576 Brains should always make you smarter. 173 00:07:24,578 --> 00:07:26,178 At least, that's what my dad said. 174 00:07:26,180 --> 00:07:30,315 It's because I can use it in the dish that I'm hoping to make. 175 00:07:30,317 --> 00:07:32,150 This is a Jamaican festival. 176 00:07:32,718 --> 00:07:35,487 Festival, it's in the family of Johnny cake, 177 00:07:35,489 --> 00:07:37,689 something that we normally have on the beaches in Jamaica. 178 00:07:37,691 --> 00:07:39,758 I actually grew up eating Johnny cake. 179 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,828 - It's more like a pancake or cornmeal. - Cornmeal. 180 00:07:42,830 --> 00:07:44,496 [Tajahi] As a kid, I used to make 181 00:07:44,498 --> 00:07:45,964 fresh curry powder with my grandmother. 182 00:07:45,966 --> 00:07:49,801 So, I take curry powder, Juniper Berries, allspice 183 00:07:49,803 --> 00:07:52,337 and I create a beautiful curry. 184 00:07:52,339 --> 00:07:55,040 I then add the creamed sliced beef 185 00:07:55,042 --> 00:07:59,444 to these amazing spices that are being toasted and let it cook down. 186 00:07:59,446 --> 00:08:01,413 I'm feeling very confident with what I'm making. 187 00:08:01,814 --> 00:08:03,315 Chef Nick. 188 00:08:03,317 --> 00:08:04,950 How are you feeling about your chances here? 189 00:08:04,952 --> 00:08:06,451 [Nick] I'm feeling good. 190 00:08:06,453 --> 00:08:07,853 Very pleased with the kohlrabi over the pork bung. 191 00:08:07,855 --> 00:08:09,454 What are you making? 192 00:08:09,456 --> 00:08:12,257 [Nick] This is a warm salad of kohlrabi and radish, 193 00:08:13,025 --> 00:08:15,927 with the bacon and creamed beef vinaigrette. 194 00:08:15,929 --> 00:08:16,761 Cream beef vinaigrette. 195 00:08:16,763 --> 00:08:18,997 - Very Frenchy. - Oh, my favorite. 196 00:08:18,999 --> 00:08:23,802 Who would buy a can that said creamed sliced beef on it? 197 00:08:23,804 --> 00:08:24,970 The entire military. 198 00:08:24,972 --> 00:08:26,638 - Oh, it's a military thing? - My father's in the military. 199 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:28,773 Yeah. They get it at the mess all the time. 200 00:08:28,775 --> 00:08:31,977 [Nick] I'm really happy that I've rolled the dice this round 201 00:08:31,979 --> 00:08:33,578 and thank God no pork bung. 202 00:08:33,580 --> 00:08:38,850 The inspiration for this dish is Classic French salad frisee lardon. 203 00:08:38,852 --> 00:08:44,189 This shaved creamed beef is gonna offer creaminess to my bacon vinaigrette. 204 00:08:44,891 --> 00:08:45,924 Chef Zoe, how are you feeling? 205 00:08:45,926 --> 00:08:48,360 A little nervous right now. 206 00:08:48,362 --> 00:08:51,029 Work through the nerves, work past the nerves. 207 00:08:51,564 --> 00:08:52,564 [Zoe] Chili dogs. 208 00:08:52,566 --> 00:08:54,733 At first, I'm like, totally dismayed. 209 00:08:54,735 --> 00:08:56,568 But the more I think about it the more I feel like 210 00:08:56,570 --> 00:08:57,769 there's a lot of components to work with here. 211 00:08:57,771 --> 00:09:00,105 It's definitely better than the pork bung. 212 00:09:00,773 --> 00:09:06,444 I have a lot of fond memories of the foods of the Jewish culture. 213 00:09:06,446 --> 00:09:10,048 My strategy is just wherever I can find touchpoints that I'm comfortable with 214 00:09:10,050 --> 00:09:10,715 that's what I'm going to go for. 215 00:09:10,717 --> 00:09:12,083 Sure. 216 00:09:12,085 --> 00:09:15,487 So, I'm gonna make a potato latke and put on top of it. 217 00:09:15,489 --> 00:09:20,992 This sort of hot chili dog and sliced chipped beef ragu 218 00:09:20,994 --> 00:09:24,796 and finish it with a little salad of radish. 219 00:09:24,798 --> 00:09:27,799 For this tournament, we're seeing people come in here with major chops. 220 00:09:27,801 --> 00:09:29,734 [Chris] This is Chopped Casino Royale 221 00:09:29,736 --> 00:09:31,770 and we want to encourage them to gamble. 222 00:09:31,772 --> 00:09:33,038 There's definitely luck. 223 00:09:33,040 --> 00:09:34,673 But every ingredient matters. 224 00:09:34,675 --> 00:09:36,374 [Ted] 10 minutes on the clock, chefs. 225 00:09:37,944 --> 00:09:39,911 [Raquel] So, now, it's time to build my sauce. 226 00:09:39,913 --> 00:09:43,848 I add sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar 227 00:09:43,850 --> 00:09:46,217 and Champagne gummy bears. 228 00:09:48,688 --> 00:09:53,892 [Tajahi] My next step is to get flour to make a festival dough. 229 00:09:53,894 --> 00:09:55,460 [Ted] Tajahi, you have time to make those Johnny cakes? 230 00:09:55,462 --> 00:09:56,428 [Tajahi] I think so. 231 00:09:59,899 --> 00:10:02,734 [Nick] Combining champagne vinegar, 232 00:10:02,736 --> 00:10:05,770 champagne gummy bears, a couple of sprigs of thyme, 233 00:10:05,772 --> 00:10:07,205 reducing that low and slow. 234 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,842 Everything's moving together really well. 235 00:10:10,844 --> 00:10:14,579 It seems like I'm moving a little faster than some of the other competitors 236 00:10:14,581 --> 00:10:16,281 and I'm feeling really good at this point. 237 00:10:19,852 --> 00:10:22,787 [Zoe] As my binder for potato latke, 238 00:10:22,789 --> 00:10:25,056 I decided I'm gonna scrape everything off the buns 239 00:10:25,058 --> 00:10:27,559 and grate those up for my bread crumb component. 240 00:10:27,561 --> 00:10:30,061 I see some golden raisins. 241 00:10:30,063 --> 00:10:32,864 Start to heat up some vinegar to pickle my raisins. 242 00:10:32,866 --> 00:10:36,167 I'm just gonna use the gummy bears and put that into the ragu. 243 00:10:37,937 --> 00:10:40,205 Right behind, right behind. 244 00:10:41,707 --> 00:10:43,975 I'm very focused on getting my dish ready to go. 245 00:10:43,977 --> 00:10:45,877 I moved my vegetables over to the side, 246 00:10:45,879 --> 00:10:48,213 I pulled the black garlic chunks out of it 247 00:10:48,215 --> 00:10:51,983 and then I noticed I don't have enough stuffing for my spring roll. 248 00:10:51,985 --> 00:10:53,351 Five minutes to go, chefs! 249 00:10:54,954 --> 00:10:56,087 [Raquel] It's not gonna be enough. 250 00:10:56,089 --> 00:10:57,656 [Tiffani] Chef Raquel seems to have a hard time 251 00:10:57,658 --> 00:11:01,059 just making enough filling to fill her rolls. 252 00:11:12,038 --> 00:11:15,306 [Raquel] I haven't made enough stuffing for my spring roll 253 00:11:15,308 --> 00:11:17,442 and I start a second batch. 254 00:11:17,444 --> 00:11:20,612 That beautiful black garlic that Raquel was able to win at the table. 255 00:11:20,614 --> 00:11:24,049 She was sauteing it with radish, just starting all over again. 256 00:11:24,051 --> 00:11:27,085 And she has three minutes left. She does not have time. 257 00:11:29,689 --> 00:11:32,624 [Tajahi] My eyes are always on time. 258 00:11:32,626 --> 00:11:36,361 Tajahi, just looked up at the clock and gave it the most incredible smirk. 259 00:11:36,363 --> 00:11:39,431 - He's like, what? All right. - Time means nothing to me. 260 00:11:41,467 --> 00:11:44,669 [Tajahi] I take the radishes with red wine vinegar, agave, 261 00:11:44,671 --> 00:11:48,073 and the champagne gummies and get that boiling. 262 00:11:48,075 --> 00:11:51,476 To add acid and a little bit of sweetness to the dish. 263 00:11:53,913 --> 00:11:57,382 [Nick] As the clock is ticking I'm tasting through the ingredients. 264 00:11:57,384 --> 00:11:58,750 I'm feeling really good about that 265 00:11:58,752 --> 00:12:01,019 and I just have to make sure that the food looks beautiful. 266 00:12:01,587 --> 00:12:03,888 [Zoe] Time is starting to get away from me. 267 00:12:03,890 --> 00:12:05,523 I'm not even sure if I'm able to get these latkes done. 268 00:12:05,525 --> 00:12:08,560 Her chili dog bun is in the latke. 269 00:12:08,562 --> 00:12:12,664 If she doesn't get those latkes completed, she's left off an ingredient. 270 00:12:12,666 --> 00:12:15,300 If I don't have latkes on the plate, I'm going home for sure. 271 00:12:16,736 --> 00:12:17,669 - All right, chefs, let's go. - Come on! Come on! 272 00:12:17,671 --> 00:12:20,839 Do not leave it up to luck. 273 00:12:20,841 --> 00:12:23,541 - Are those Johnny cakes gonna get all soggy... - Soggy, I know. 274 00:12:23,543 --> 00:12:25,110 the way he is plating on it? 275 00:12:29,048 --> 00:12:30,949 [Zoe] I taste this weird chipped beef thing. 276 00:12:30,951 --> 00:12:33,051 Honestly, it's not bad. 277 00:12:33,053 --> 00:12:34,786 This dish could work as long as these latkes 278 00:12:34,788 --> 00:12:37,889 can come out of the pan in time. 279 00:12:37,891 --> 00:12:40,725 - [Ted] Come on, chefs, get it done. You got this. - Come one guys, let's go! 280 00:12:40,727 --> 00:12:42,127 The house always wins. Let's prove it wrong. 281 00:12:42,129 --> 00:12:43,962 [Ted] Get it done, chefs get it done. 282 00:12:43,964 --> 00:12:45,296 - Let's go! Let's go! - [Ted] Ten! 283 00:12:45,298 --> 00:12:47,866 [Ted] Nine, eight, seven, 284 00:12:47,868 --> 00:12:50,101 six, five, 285 00:12:50,103 --> 00:12:53,438 four, three, two, one. 286 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:56,241 Time's up! 287 00:13:05,184 --> 00:13:06,785 [Zoe] I made one of the weirdest plates of food, 288 00:13:06,787 --> 00:13:07,986 I've ever made. 289 00:13:07,988 --> 00:13:09,154 Though for 20 minutes, 290 00:13:09,455 --> 00:13:10,488 it tastes good. 291 00:13:10,856 --> 00:13:12,157 Who's going to care, right? 292 00:13:17,930 --> 00:13:20,899 Chefs, your original Casino Royale basket, 293 00:13:20,901 --> 00:13:22,300 Champagne gummy bears, 294 00:13:22,768 --> 00:13:23,768 radishes, 295 00:13:23,770 --> 00:13:26,971 creamed sliced beef and pork bung. 296 00:13:26,973 --> 00:13:30,475 Then we gave you the opportunity to change out one ingredient 297 00:13:30,477 --> 00:13:33,011 and for some reason all four of you did. 298 00:13:34,146 --> 00:13:36,114 Chef Nick, how was that round for you? 299 00:13:36,181 --> 00:13:36,881 Fast. 300 00:13:36,883 --> 00:13:39,484 I rejected the pork bung 301 00:13:39,486 --> 00:13:42,020 and luckily ended up with some nice kohlrabi. 302 00:13:42,755 --> 00:13:45,924 This is a warm salad of kohlrabi and radish 303 00:13:45,926 --> 00:13:51,396 with a bacon and creamed beef vinaigrette and a little gummy bear gastrique. 304 00:13:56,802 --> 00:13:59,070 The salad is tasty as hell. 305 00:13:59,705 --> 00:14:01,005 The radishes are crisp. 306 00:14:01,007 --> 00:14:04,976 They play the right role, but a boudin would have been nice. 307 00:14:04,978 --> 00:14:07,545 This is very almost classic frisee lardon. 308 00:14:07,547 --> 00:14:09,614 The cream sliced beef made it very creamy. 309 00:14:09,616 --> 00:14:12,617 It sort of eliminates the need for that egg. 310 00:14:12,619 --> 00:14:14,786 The sliced kohlrabi makes all the sense in the world. 311 00:14:14,788 --> 00:14:15,987 I think it's dressed really nicely. 312 00:14:15,989 --> 00:14:18,323 You have the kohlrabi, you don't need the apples. 313 00:14:19,625 --> 00:14:20,691 [Chris] I personally like the apples. 314 00:14:21,794 --> 00:14:24,562 I'm wishing for some nuts maybe or some goat cheese, 315 00:14:24,564 --> 00:14:26,364 but overall, I really like the salad. 316 00:14:27,833 --> 00:14:31,903 Next up, Chef Raquel, what did you opt for instead of the pork. 317 00:14:31,905 --> 00:14:33,104 [Raquel] Black garlic. 318 00:14:33,106 --> 00:14:37,008 What I have for you today is creamed beef spring roll 319 00:14:37,810 --> 00:14:39,477 with a gummy bear sesame sauce. 320 00:14:44,216 --> 00:14:46,918 We were nervous, not gonna lie. 321 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:50,421 - You were nervous? - To the last 10 seconds. 322 00:14:51,657 --> 00:14:52,991 I like my spring roll. 323 00:14:52,993 --> 00:14:56,094 I dipped it into that gummy bear sauce. 324 00:14:56,096 --> 00:14:57,662 Well, it tastes like hoisin. 325 00:14:57,664 --> 00:14:59,063 Yeah, it does. 326 00:14:59,065 --> 00:15:02,467 [Chris] This sauce is really strangely delicious. 327 00:15:02,469 --> 00:15:03,401 You should bottle this. 328 00:15:04,870 --> 00:15:06,504 The rest of it's a struggle for me. 329 00:15:07,907 --> 00:15:10,608 This needs herbs, cilantro, or basil, or scallion 330 00:15:10,610 --> 00:15:12,877 or all of the above. 331 00:15:12,879 --> 00:15:14,779 I agree with Chris. I just want veggies and I want herbs 332 00:15:14,781 --> 00:15:16,981 and I want that wrapped in something crispy. 333 00:15:16,983 --> 00:15:20,018 [Christian] And then, I'm really looking for that cream sliced beef. 334 00:15:20,020 --> 00:15:21,986 A real missed opportunity. 335 00:15:22,788 --> 00:15:24,022 Next up, is Chef Zoe. 336 00:15:24,024 --> 00:15:25,657 How would this read on the menu? 337 00:15:25,659 --> 00:15:27,692 This would read as a crispy potato Latke 338 00:15:27,694 --> 00:15:30,662 with chili dog and chipped beef ragu. 339 00:15:30,664 --> 00:15:33,264 The radish and green apple salad on top. 340 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,235 Felt pretty good about the chili dogs after the pork bung. 341 00:15:38,537 --> 00:15:40,471 My roots are in Jewish cooking 342 00:15:40,473 --> 00:15:43,107 and so latkes are on our brunch menu all the time. 343 00:15:44,410 --> 00:15:47,078 We were really stressed out about the latke. 344 00:15:48,781 --> 00:15:52,383 And to be honest with you, it's my favorite thing on the dish. 345 00:15:53,118 --> 00:15:55,787 I gotta knock you for, for the radishes. 346 00:15:55,789 --> 00:15:58,656 Keep in mind the rest of the basket ingredients 347 00:15:58,658 --> 00:16:02,026 need to be given the same amount of love and respect 348 00:16:02,028 --> 00:16:06,130 as whatever you get from rolling the dice. 349 00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:08,566 Christian is right. You have to pay attention to like other ingredients. 350 00:16:08,568 --> 00:16:11,936 I love onions. It's like, my gravestone will say here lies chilies and onions 351 00:16:11,938 --> 00:16:14,205 - but these are still too big. - Understood. 352 00:16:14,207 --> 00:16:15,006 - It gets too much. - Yes, chef. 353 00:16:15,008 --> 00:16:17,875 This radish, apple, and red onion. 354 00:16:17,877 --> 00:16:21,112 I want that really chopped up really small and put on, put on top. 355 00:16:21,114 --> 00:16:24,849 You got the right components, but you didn't put them together 356 00:16:24,851 --> 00:16:26,150 in the best way possible. 357 00:16:27,586 --> 00:16:28,586 Finally, Chef Tajahi! 358 00:16:28,588 --> 00:16:30,688 What ingredient did you end up with? 359 00:16:30,690 --> 00:16:34,258 I received pork brains in a cream sauce in a can. 360 00:16:35,928 --> 00:16:37,829 I made for you canned beef Jamaican curry. 361 00:16:37,831 --> 00:16:39,998 I'm a big fan of curry. 362 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,500 My grandmother traveled by boat from India to Jamaica when she was around 12. 363 00:16:43,002 --> 00:16:44,502 Wow! 364 00:16:44,504 --> 00:16:47,572 We have a curry recipe that is within our family that's over 400 years old. 365 00:16:47,574 --> 00:16:49,507 I've manipulated a little bit, of course. 366 00:16:51,176 --> 00:16:54,846 What I really like about this is your use of the charred jalapeño. 367 00:16:54,848 --> 00:16:55,846 It's delicious. 368 00:16:55,848 --> 00:16:57,648 - Thank you, chef. - Really delicious that way. 369 00:16:57,650 --> 00:16:59,217 [Tiffani] With like the pork brains 370 00:16:59,219 --> 00:17:02,053 in the can and the cream beef in the can, 371 00:17:02,055 --> 00:17:04,889 it's not easy to make a complicated sophisticated curry in 20 minutes 372 00:17:04,891 --> 00:17:05,790 and you have. 373 00:17:07,459 --> 00:17:09,293 Just think about plating a little bit more. 374 00:17:09,628 --> 00:17:11,963 The festival is a little chewy. 375 00:17:11,965 --> 00:17:14,165 I would have kept the festival completely away from the curry 376 00:17:14,167 --> 00:17:15,333 to keep that crispy. 377 00:17:15,768 --> 00:17:17,869 Growing up in the Bronx, 378 00:17:17,871 --> 00:17:21,005 we were the only Italian family in a Jamaican neighborhood. 379 00:17:21,007 --> 00:17:23,941 One of my neighbors would sell jerk chicken 380 00:17:23,943 --> 00:17:25,476 and sitting here, it brings me home. 381 00:17:25,478 --> 00:17:28,046 You got the pickled radishes 382 00:17:28,048 --> 00:17:30,748 and you're getting that back spice from the curry. 383 00:17:30,750 --> 00:17:32,150 Just lovely. I really enjoy it. 384 00:17:32,152 --> 00:17:33,384 Yes, chef, thank you. 385 00:17:36,255 --> 00:17:37,722 [Nick] Salad was a little bit safe, 386 00:17:37,724 --> 00:17:40,324 but given the kohlrabi and the radishes, 387 00:17:40,326 --> 00:17:42,160 I kind of felt like, I was cornered it a little bit. 388 00:17:44,063 --> 00:17:49,067 The vision in my head wasn't on the plate, the dish, it was a little messy. 389 00:17:58,177 --> 00:18:01,279 So, whose dish is on the chopping block? 390 00:18:11,056 --> 00:18:12,623 [Tiffani] Oh, Chef Raquel. 391 00:18:12,625 --> 00:18:14,892 None of us wanted you to go. 392 00:18:14,894 --> 00:18:19,163 We just couldn't find the creamed chip beef in that spring roll. 393 00:18:19,165 --> 00:18:22,467 Not enough black garlic and so we had to chop you. 394 00:18:22,469 --> 00:18:23,634 Okay, thank you. 395 00:18:25,637 --> 00:18:27,472 I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. 396 00:18:27,474 --> 00:18:30,007 I took the most risk versus a salad. 397 00:18:30,009 --> 00:18:33,244 Something that's a little bit less involved. 398 00:18:36,048 --> 00:18:38,116 Chef Nick, Chef Zoe, Chef Tajahi, 399 00:18:38,118 --> 00:18:40,184 you think luck is on your side? 400 00:18:40,186 --> 00:18:41,752 - Yes. - Absolutely. 401 00:18:41,754 --> 00:18:42,787 Definitely. 402 00:18:42,789 --> 00:18:44,188 We'll start with this basket. 403 00:18:46,792 --> 00:18:48,226 Please open them up. 404 00:18:50,796 --> 00:18:54,132 And your next take it or leave it combo is truffle-honey, 405 00:18:56,235 --> 00:18:58,269 - artichokes. - Okay. 406 00:18:58,271 --> 00:19:02,306 [Tajahi] This will be my second time in my career cooking with artichokes. 407 00:19:02,308 --> 00:19:03,307 Monkfish. 408 00:19:03,309 --> 00:19:04,408 Holy. 409 00:19:05,677 --> 00:19:06,477 Wow! 410 00:19:08,881 --> 00:19:10,214 [Ted] It's not the prettiest fish. 411 00:19:12,251 --> 00:19:14,185 And spaghetti ring deviled eggs. 412 00:19:16,121 --> 00:19:18,055 Who wants to stick with the basket? 413 00:19:18,057 --> 00:19:20,124 Who would like to roll the dice? 414 00:19:22,728 --> 00:19:23,728 I'm staying with it. 415 00:19:23,730 --> 00:19:25,463 I'm sticking with the basket. 416 00:19:25,465 --> 00:19:27,398 You're sticking with the basket. 417 00:19:29,568 --> 00:19:32,470 Spaghetti ring, deviled eggs look kind of disgusting. 418 00:19:32,472 --> 00:19:35,473 Yeah, I think I'm gonna lose the spaghetti ring eggs. 419 00:19:35,475 --> 00:19:37,775 [Tajahi] Chef Nick and I decided to hold back 420 00:19:37,777 --> 00:19:40,912 and Chef Zoe decided to take a risk again. 421 00:19:40,914 --> 00:19:43,047 All right Zoe, let's roll the dice. 422 00:19:43,049 --> 00:19:45,016 [Zoe] I'm nervous because the last time I did this 423 00:19:45,018 --> 00:19:46,050 I got an odd number. 424 00:19:46,052 --> 00:19:48,452 - [Tiffani] All right guys. - All righty, here we go. 425 00:19:48,454 --> 00:19:50,121 - Alright! - [all cheering] Let's go! 426 00:19:50,123 --> 00:19:51,289 [Tiffani] Even! 427 00:19:52,824 --> 00:19:53,858 - [Ted] Four. - Yes! 428 00:19:53,860 --> 00:19:55,726 - [Ted] Four! - [Tiffany] Yes, there we go. 429 00:19:55,728 --> 00:19:57,128 - Good Job! - Here we go! 430 00:19:58,063 --> 00:19:59,197 [Ted] Let's see, what you've got? 431 00:20:00,199 --> 00:20:01,399 Broccoli rabe. 432 00:20:01,401 --> 00:20:02,900 Okay. 433 00:20:02,902 --> 00:20:05,636 [Chris] Broccoli rabe, it's slightly bitter, it's delicious sauteed, 434 00:20:05,638 --> 00:20:07,838 you can't lose with this ingredient. 435 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:10,308 [Tajahi] After seeing, Zoe's broccoli rabe, 436 00:20:10,310 --> 00:20:12,610 I feel as though I should have taken that risk. 437 00:20:12,612 --> 00:20:15,112 All right, it's time to take another chance in the Chopped kitchen, 438 00:20:15,114 --> 00:20:17,081 you'll have 30 minutes to make your entrees. 439 00:20:18,483 --> 00:20:19,283 Clock starts now. 440 00:20:19,285 --> 00:20:20,718 - All right, guys. - Let's go. 441 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,019 [Tiffani] Let's go. 442 00:20:25,057 --> 00:20:27,491 [Nick] My confidence is sky high. 443 00:20:27,493 --> 00:20:30,161 And this round, I'm gonna throw all my cards on the table. 444 00:20:30,862 --> 00:20:32,430 I'm gonna make a pan-roasted monkfish 445 00:20:32,432 --> 00:20:35,533 with truffle-honey crust. 446 00:20:35,535 --> 00:20:39,670 Potatoes, a deviled egg gribiche and boiled artichokes. 447 00:20:39,672 --> 00:20:42,473 I kinda wish I got rid of these damn artichokes. 448 00:20:42,475 --> 00:20:44,842 To get those artichokes clean, that's gonna be time-consuming. 449 00:20:44,844 --> 00:20:46,277 I'm worried. 450 00:20:47,980 --> 00:20:51,549 So, judges, do these ingredients even work well together? 451 00:20:51,551 --> 00:20:52,917 [Tiffani] That's the job of a Chopped chef. 452 00:20:52,919 --> 00:20:55,720 I am really surprised that all three chefs 453 00:20:55,722 --> 00:20:58,956 didn't gamble with the monkfish and the artichokes. 454 00:20:58,958 --> 00:21:01,926 Both of those ingredients take a lot of time to prepare properly. 455 00:21:01,928 --> 00:21:03,894 [Zoe] Never touched one of these in my life. 456 00:21:03,896 --> 00:21:05,963 My biggest concern is how to break down this fish, 457 00:21:05,965 --> 00:21:07,465 which I've never even worked with before. 458 00:21:07,467 --> 00:21:11,035 Oh my God, this basket is not gonna be easy. 459 00:21:11,037 --> 00:21:15,206 My plan for the entree round is to pan-roast the monkfish and serve it with rice. 460 00:21:15,974 --> 00:21:17,808 With the truffle-honey artichokes in it 461 00:21:17,810 --> 00:21:19,543 and broccoli rabe over the top. 462 00:21:19,545 --> 00:21:22,446 I'm still glad I got this broccoli rabe and not the deviled eggs, 463 00:21:22,448 --> 00:21:25,516 but I'm also nervous about getting it on the plate in a way that it feels 464 00:21:25,518 --> 00:21:29,020 a little bit more integral than the radishes did in the last round. 465 00:21:29,788 --> 00:21:32,056 [Tajahi] I'm going up against great chefs, 466 00:21:32,058 --> 00:21:35,660 but at the same time I know that I can extract flavors 467 00:21:35,662 --> 00:21:36,927 from this monkfish 468 00:21:36,929 --> 00:21:39,263 and turn it into a beautiful broth. 469 00:21:39,265 --> 00:21:41,699 Tajahi looks like he knows what he's doing. 470 00:21:41,701 --> 00:21:45,636 [Tajahi] I'm making a Jamaican fish tea, which is a soup. 471 00:21:45,638 --> 00:21:49,273 I take hot smoked paprika, dried cumin, dried thyme 472 00:21:49,275 --> 00:21:53,110 to make sure that my monkfish is coated well. 473 00:21:53,745 --> 00:21:58,349 Having an Indian grandmother Basmati and Jasmine rice live in your house. 474 00:21:58,351 --> 00:22:02,353 So, my next thought is I need to get the rice on immediately. 475 00:22:04,156 --> 00:22:06,757 One of the few fish I wouldn't have been glad to see you know what I mean. 476 00:22:06,759 --> 00:22:08,292 [Christian] I love monkfish. 477 00:22:08,294 --> 00:22:10,428 The flesh mimics that of lobster. 478 00:22:10,430 --> 00:22:12,730 - Right, they call it the poor man's lobster. - [Ted] Yes. 479 00:22:12,732 --> 00:22:16,934 [Christian] It's a fish that it's telling you I'm very hard to butcher. 480 00:22:16,936 --> 00:22:19,870 [Tiffani] You have not fabricated or broken a monkfish, 481 00:22:19,872 --> 00:22:21,972 that would intimidate me in 30 minutes. 482 00:22:23,809 --> 00:22:25,276 20 minutes on the clock, chefs. 483 00:22:30,015 --> 00:22:31,282 [Nick] I got a cut. 484 00:22:33,819 --> 00:22:35,085 [Chris] It's not a bad cut. 485 00:22:35,487 --> 00:22:37,388 He still had to take a minute to go and get it bandaged up. 486 00:22:37,390 --> 00:22:39,690 And he's still dealing with those artichokes. 487 00:22:39,692 --> 00:22:41,726 [Nick] I'm really regretting keeping these artichokes around, 488 00:22:41,728 --> 00:22:43,194 they're a thorn in my side. 489 00:22:45,931 --> 00:22:49,800 [Tajahi] I add the truffle-honey to this monkfish broth. 490 00:22:49,802 --> 00:22:53,671 I add green onions. I add soy, I add sesame. 491 00:22:53,673 --> 00:22:56,240 Spaghetti ring deviled eggs. 492 00:22:57,275 --> 00:23:01,245 I scooped out the tomato sauce as an umami flavor. 493 00:23:01,247 --> 00:23:04,248 I got to say to Tajahi, he's motoring through all these ingredients 494 00:23:04,250 --> 00:23:06,384 like he's done it 10 million times. 495 00:23:08,153 --> 00:23:10,020 Oh, holy cow. 496 00:23:10,055 --> 00:23:11,188 Taste that honey. 497 00:23:12,457 --> 00:23:13,891 Time is ticking down. 498 00:23:13,893 --> 00:23:17,061 I've got the broccoli rabe trying to get a little color on it. 499 00:23:18,230 --> 00:23:22,166 I know I want to fold those artichokes into the rice. 500 00:23:24,035 --> 00:23:26,837 And then really want to hit them with a little bit of that truffle-honey. 501 00:23:26,839 --> 00:23:29,206 Chefs, less than 10 minutes to go. 502 00:23:30,275 --> 00:23:32,877 I've got a lot left to do and not a lot of time to do it. 503 00:23:32,879 --> 00:23:35,780 The artichokes are finally cooking. 504 00:23:35,782 --> 00:23:38,115 I've worked with monkfish, the only concern with it 505 00:23:38,117 --> 00:23:39,450 is going to be the cooking time. 506 00:23:39,452 --> 00:23:41,252 It's kind of a slower cooking item. 507 00:23:42,187 --> 00:23:44,388 Sauce gribiche will always have a hard-boiled egg. 508 00:23:47,592 --> 00:23:49,693 I saw some anchovies in the pantry. 509 00:23:49,695 --> 00:23:51,695 Cornichons, a little lemon and dill 510 00:23:51,697 --> 00:23:55,132 and you've got yourself a nice French sauce for this fish. 511 00:23:57,469 --> 00:23:59,804 [Ted] Look at how Tajahi is handling that artichoke. 512 00:23:59,806 --> 00:24:03,507 [Chris] Yo, Tajahi, looks like you've never seen an artichoke before. 513 00:24:03,509 --> 00:24:06,277 This is my second time working with artichokes. 514 00:24:06,279 --> 00:24:10,748 So, I quickly decided to do something plain and simple. 515 00:24:10,750 --> 00:24:12,149 Artichoke chips. 516 00:24:12,151 --> 00:24:15,052 I shave them down and drop them in the fryer. 517 00:24:15,054 --> 00:24:16,086 Okay. 518 00:24:16,721 --> 00:24:18,956 Two minutes left, this is it. 519 00:24:19,624 --> 00:24:21,892 [Nick] We've got the fish in the pan, I've got my sauce, 520 00:24:21,894 --> 00:24:26,263 gribiche made, artichokes and potatoes are not fully cooked yet. 521 00:24:26,265 --> 00:24:28,098 I'm feeling a little nerve kicking in. 522 00:24:28,100 --> 00:24:29,533 - Time? - 108. 523 00:24:29,535 --> 00:24:31,735 - 108. - Thank you, 108. 524 00:24:31,737 --> 00:24:35,072 I know, I'm going straight from the pan to the plate with the monkfish. 525 00:24:35,074 --> 00:24:36,707 So, I have to just kinda decide 526 00:24:36,709 --> 00:24:38,642 how the rest of the plate is gonna come together. 527 00:24:38,644 --> 00:24:40,010 [Ted] Plate it up, chefs, plate it up. 528 00:24:40,012 --> 00:24:41,812 - Come on. - [Ted] You're running out of time. 529 00:24:41,814 --> 00:24:44,014 [Ted] Ten, nine, 530 00:24:44,016 --> 00:24:45,749 eight, seven, 531 00:24:45,751 --> 00:24:46,917 six, 532 00:24:46,919 --> 00:24:49,253 five, four, three, 533 00:24:49,921 --> 00:24:51,489 two, one. 534 00:24:52,190 --> 00:24:53,157 Time's up. 535 00:24:57,462 --> 00:24:58,562 [Nick] The plates are complete. 536 00:24:58,763 --> 00:25:01,265 Food is seasoned, cooked properly. I'm happy with it. 537 00:25:01,766 --> 00:25:02,966 [Zoe] I'm absolutely glad 538 00:25:02,968 --> 00:25:05,369 I got rid of the spaghetti ring deviled eggs 539 00:25:05,371 --> 00:25:07,771 and the broccoli rabe's gonna taste good. 540 00:25:07,773 --> 00:25:08,973 Hey! 541 00:25:08,975 --> 00:25:11,775 [Tiffani] Tajahi put his artichoke chips into his broth. 542 00:25:11,777 --> 00:25:14,345 They don't stand a shot of staying crispy. 543 00:25:21,052 --> 00:25:23,954 Chefs, for your Casino Royale entree round 544 00:25:23,956 --> 00:25:25,289 we presented you with a basket of 545 00:25:25,824 --> 00:25:28,726 truffle-honey, artichokes, 546 00:25:28,728 --> 00:25:33,697 monkfish and spaghetti ring deviled eggs. 547 00:25:33,699 --> 00:25:37,835 Then we gave you the option to ditch one ingredient and roll for something else. 548 00:25:37,837 --> 00:25:40,638 Chef Zoe, did you enjoy working with the broccoli rabe? 549 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,741 I liked it better than deviled eggs. Yes. 550 00:25:43,743 --> 00:25:45,543 Would you please tell us about your entree? 551 00:25:45,545 --> 00:25:48,846 [Zoe] It's pan-roasted monkfish. Underneath is jasmine rice 552 00:25:48,848 --> 00:25:51,815 that has truffle-honey, artichokes in it. 553 00:25:51,817 --> 00:25:54,518 And then sauteed broccoli rabe on top. 554 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:55,786 I'm absolutely glad I took the gamble 555 00:25:55,788 --> 00:25:58,088 and got rid of the spaghetti ring, deviled eggs. 556 00:25:58,957 --> 00:26:01,959 Zoe using the truffle-honey in the rice, 557 00:26:01,993 --> 00:26:02,993 very smart. 558 00:26:02,995 --> 00:26:04,895 You get just the hint 559 00:26:04,897 --> 00:26:07,565 of truffle which is plenty. 560 00:26:07,567 --> 00:26:10,634 I love, love, love the rice artichokes and truffle-honey. 561 00:26:10,636 --> 00:26:13,270 It's easily the most delicious thing on the plate. 562 00:26:14,906 --> 00:26:18,475 The biggest thing that's bumming me out on this is the broccoli rabe. 563 00:26:19,811 --> 00:26:22,613 It's kind of bland. It's just sauteed broccoli rabe. 564 00:26:22,615 --> 00:26:25,449 I wanted to stay really simple with the things that I knew well. 565 00:26:25,451 --> 00:26:29,286 I need to see more transformation of the basket ingredients. 566 00:26:29,288 --> 00:26:30,955 I think I speak for all of us. 567 00:26:31,590 --> 00:26:34,058 The fish is under, your monkfish is under. 568 00:26:36,962 --> 00:26:38,862 But you've got a really nice sear on the top of it. 569 00:26:38,864 --> 00:26:41,165 Maybe one more thing, a little parsley. 570 00:26:41,167 --> 00:26:44,368 Something else that would bring this to the next level. 571 00:26:45,971 --> 00:26:47,805 Next up, Chef Tajahi. 572 00:26:47,807 --> 00:26:51,442 Judges, I have a honey-truffle monkfish tea 573 00:26:51,776 --> 00:26:54,912 with a basmati rice. 574 00:26:54,914 --> 00:26:58,148 Fish tea is a Jamaican thing, it's basically fish soup. 575 00:26:58,150 --> 00:27:01,218 But in Jamaica, we drink it out of a teacup. 576 00:27:01,886 --> 00:27:02,953 They call it fish tea. 577 00:27:02,955 --> 00:27:04,288 Honey, this is the tea. 578 00:27:04,889 --> 00:27:06,357 This is delicious. 579 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:07,958 I'm an artichoke fanatic. 580 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:10,728 There's a little bit of leaf in here and it makes it tough and it's tannic. 581 00:27:10,730 --> 00:27:11,795 I'm sorry Chef. 582 00:27:11,797 --> 00:27:14,698 But overall, the flavor of this is spectacular. 583 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:18,035 I love the spice rub on the outside of the fish. 584 00:27:19,037 --> 00:27:21,705 I think there's a really good composed bite here. 585 00:27:21,707 --> 00:27:23,907 What stops it from being a complete home run 586 00:27:23,909 --> 00:27:25,442 is the fish is just overcooked. 587 00:27:26,845 --> 00:27:28,245 Just presents a little problem. 588 00:27:30,148 --> 00:27:31,949 - [Tajahi] Thank you. - The flavor on the outside of that fish though 589 00:27:31,951 --> 00:27:33,717 - is dynamite. - Thank you. 590 00:27:33,719 --> 00:27:39,123 Here, Tajahi, listen, the broth is so good. 591 00:27:39,125 --> 00:27:43,861 Taking the spaghetti rings and you put it in your broth with your warm spices. 592 00:27:43,863 --> 00:27:46,764 - This is very delicious. - Thank you. 593 00:27:46,766 --> 00:27:47,831 - Chef Tajahi, thank you. - Thank you. 594 00:27:47,833 --> 00:27:49,366 Finally, Chef Nick. 595 00:27:49,368 --> 00:27:52,403 Do you think you made the right call in not rolling the dice? 596 00:27:52,405 --> 00:27:55,572 I probably should have rolled the dice and got rid of those artichokes. 597 00:27:55,574 --> 00:28:00,077 This is a pan-roasted monkfish with a truffle-honey, herb crust. 598 00:28:00,079 --> 00:28:05,282 Artichoke and sauce gribiche with spaghetti ring deviled eggs. 599 00:28:08,386 --> 00:28:11,989 So smart to use the eggs in the gribiche 600 00:28:11,991 --> 00:28:16,493 and create this creamy, delicious tartar sauce kind of vibe on the bottom. 601 00:28:16,495 --> 00:28:18,028 The potatoes are in addition, 602 00:28:18,030 --> 00:28:21,732 I would rather have seen you spend more time on your artichokes. 603 00:28:21,734 --> 00:28:24,435 I have the leaves of the artichoke on the outside 604 00:28:24,437 --> 00:28:28,105 and those leaves are so bitter and tannic. 605 00:28:28,107 --> 00:28:30,040 [Chris] This is a really ambitious plate of food, 606 00:28:30,042 --> 00:28:32,309 but it's just the scallion and the truffle-honey 607 00:28:32,311 --> 00:28:33,711 I'm having a really hard time with. 608 00:28:33,713 --> 00:28:37,114 I'd say I wish you'd left the scallions off completely. 609 00:28:38,717 --> 00:28:40,851 Like Chef said, get rid of potatoes 610 00:28:40,853 --> 00:28:44,655 and focus more on specific basket ingredients. 611 00:28:44,657 --> 00:28:48,325 But it's tough because I just want to keep eating it though. 612 00:28:50,595 --> 00:28:53,964 You guys, all three of you are really, really, strong chefs. 613 00:28:54,766 --> 00:28:58,736 And there's $25,000 on the line. This is no joke. 614 00:28:58,738 --> 00:29:01,905 So, if it feels like we're going a little hard, it's because we are. 615 00:29:01,907 --> 00:29:05,042 The problem now, three chefs want to make dessert 616 00:29:05,044 --> 00:29:06,777 but only two chefs get that chance. 617 00:29:06,779 --> 00:29:09,179 This is gonna be a tough call. 618 00:29:09,181 --> 00:29:10,914 [Nick] The third of the round on cleaning artichokes. 619 00:29:10,916 --> 00:29:12,449 That really screwed me up. 620 00:29:13,785 --> 00:29:14,952 [Tajahi] I'm a little concerned. 621 00:29:14,954 --> 00:29:17,354 I'm very concerned. Who likes overcooked fish? 622 00:29:28,299 --> 00:29:29,933 [Ted] Who's moving on to the dessert round 623 00:29:29,935 --> 00:29:33,103 and whose dish is on the chopping block? 624 00:29:43,314 --> 00:29:44,815 Chef Nick, you've been chopped. 625 00:29:44,817 --> 00:29:46,650 Judges. 626 00:29:46,652 --> 00:29:49,953 Nick, it's just unfortunate that you didn't gamble away those artichokes 627 00:29:49,955 --> 00:29:53,123 because that's exactly what is sending you home right now. 628 00:29:54,125 --> 00:29:56,960 Some of our artichokes weren't trimmed properly. 629 00:29:56,994 --> 00:29:58,562 We had to chop you. 630 00:29:59,631 --> 00:30:02,933 [Nick] Definitely bummed out. Between the artichoke and the monkfish, 631 00:30:02,935 --> 00:30:06,270 I wish that I would have put one on the table and rolled the dice. 632 00:30:13,711 --> 00:30:16,880 Chef Zoe, Chef Tajahi still here for dessert. 633 00:30:16,882 --> 00:30:19,483 Which Chef should we bet on to win? 634 00:30:19,784 --> 00:30:20,784 You're looking at him. 635 00:30:20,952 --> 00:30:22,653 I think you'd be losing some money that way. 636 00:30:22,655 --> 00:30:25,756 I want it more than I have this whole time. 637 00:30:25,758 --> 00:30:27,090 I think we'll let you do the betting 638 00:30:27,092 --> 00:30:29,059 after you open these. 639 00:30:30,829 --> 00:30:33,096 [Tajahi] I feel excited. 640 00:30:33,098 --> 00:30:35,966 All I want to do now is just hear the ingredients. 641 00:30:36,100 --> 00:30:38,035 Check out your dessert baskets. 642 00:30:39,470 --> 00:30:41,471 And you've been given a baked Alaska. 643 00:30:41,473 --> 00:30:42,406 [Zoe] Wow. 644 00:30:42,841 --> 00:30:44,007 Wow. 645 00:30:46,110 --> 00:30:46,710 [Ted] Longan fruit. 646 00:30:46,712 --> 00:30:48,011 Okay. 647 00:30:48,013 --> 00:30:50,214 Okay, I'm not even sure what everything in here is. 648 00:30:51,616 --> 00:30:53,150 - [Ted] Grenadine. - Okay. 649 00:30:53,152 --> 00:30:55,018 The grenadine doesn't feel like a huge threat. 650 00:30:55,020 --> 00:30:56,353 [Ted] And sweet relish. 651 00:30:57,155 --> 00:30:58,488 And then I pull out the sweet relish. 652 00:30:58,490 --> 00:31:00,357 What? 653 00:31:00,359 --> 00:31:02,392 [Tajahi] Sweet relish, in the dessert round? 654 00:31:03,161 --> 00:31:04,328 Why? 655 00:31:05,697 --> 00:31:07,698 Chef, do you want to gamble? 656 00:31:07,700 --> 00:31:09,299 I think I'm gonna get rid of the pickle relish. 657 00:31:09,301 --> 00:31:10,701 - [Ted] Chef? - Pickle relish. 658 00:31:10,703 --> 00:31:12,069 To the table. 659 00:31:17,008 --> 00:31:20,744 Chef Zoe, Chef Tajahi, you are both switching out the sweet relish. 660 00:31:20,746 --> 00:31:22,045 Let's roll 'em. 661 00:31:22,047 --> 00:31:24,448 [Tiffani] All right, keep rolling. Let's go. Evens! 662 00:31:28,019 --> 00:31:29,086 [Ted] You've rolled a three. 663 00:31:29,088 --> 00:31:31,955 [all] Ooh. 664 00:31:31,957 --> 00:31:32,956 [Ted] All right, Tajahi. 665 00:31:33,091 --> 00:31:33,790 Voila. 666 00:31:33,792 --> 00:31:35,125 Tomato soup. 667 00:31:35,827 --> 00:31:37,694 - That's not that bad. - That's not terrible. 668 00:31:37,696 --> 00:31:39,763 [Tajahi] Tomato soup is better than relish. 669 00:31:39,765 --> 00:31:41,899 We can manipulate a tomato soup better 670 00:31:41,901 --> 00:31:43,834 whether it's in sorbet or a sauce. 671 00:31:43,836 --> 00:31:45,235 You should be smiling bro. 672 00:31:45,770 --> 00:31:47,137 All right Zoe, let's roll. 673 00:31:47,139 --> 00:31:48,972 One odd, one even. Here we go, even! 674 00:31:48,974 --> 00:31:50,474 [all cheering] 675 00:31:50,476 --> 00:31:51,675 [Ted] You've rolled a six. 676 00:31:51,677 --> 00:31:53,143 [cheering] 677 00:31:53,145 --> 00:31:54,077 - [Tiffani] Yes. - [Chris] Nice. 678 00:31:54,079 --> 00:31:55,212 [Tiffani] It's even. 679 00:31:55,214 --> 00:31:57,147 Lucky Zoe, once again. 680 00:31:57,214 --> 00:31:58,982 Let's see what it is. 681 00:31:58,984 --> 00:32:00,083 Chocolate covered strawberry. 682 00:32:00,085 --> 00:32:01,485 All right. 683 00:32:01,487 --> 00:32:02,753 Definitely, better than relish. 684 00:32:02,755 --> 00:32:05,289 30 minutes to shine in the dessert round. 685 00:32:06,057 --> 00:32:07,357 - Clock starts now. - All right, let's go. 686 00:32:08,860 --> 00:32:09,993 [Tiffani] Bring it on. 687 00:32:11,863 --> 00:32:12,562 Open. 688 00:32:12,764 --> 00:32:14,230 [Tajahi] I'm feeling nervous. 689 00:32:14,365 --> 00:32:19,102 Chef Zoe is an amazing chef but at the same time I came here to win. 690 00:32:20,738 --> 00:32:26,009 I'm going to make baked Alaska bread pudding and combine longan fruits, 691 00:32:26,011 --> 00:32:29,713 grenadine and tomato soup to create a delicious sauce. 692 00:32:29,715 --> 00:32:31,548 Now that I've gotten rid of the relish, 693 00:32:31,550 --> 00:32:34,451 I feel as though I have a basket that I can work with. 694 00:32:34,453 --> 00:32:37,988 I add some orange liqueur to create something fragrant. 695 00:32:38,923 --> 00:32:42,159 Tajahi brought back a loaf of bread and muffin tins. 696 00:32:43,628 --> 00:32:44,461 Interesting. 697 00:32:47,632 --> 00:32:48,999 [Tajahi] I cube up the brioche, 698 00:32:49,001 --> 00:32:49,733 and then I see the baked Alaska 699 00:32:49,735 --> 00:32:51,768 and I know exactly what that is. 700 00:32:51,770 --> 00:32:54,838 It's stuffed with ice cream and then they make a marshmallow topping 701 00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:57,374 that the whole thing gets encapsulated in. 702 00:32:57,709 --> 00:32:58,875 And then they toast it. 703 00:32:58,877 --> 00:33:02,045 [Tajahi] I take the insides of the baked Alaska 704 00:33:02,047 --> 00:33:05,382 and combine that down with some heavy cream 705 00:33:05,384 --> 00:33:08,018 and then I add it to the bread pudding. 706 00:33:11,923 --> 00:33:13,657 [Zoe] When I see the chocolate-covered strawberries, 707 00:33:13,659 --> 00:33:15,826 I'm like, all right, that's cool, I can work with that. 708 00:33:15,828 --> 00:33:18,562 And I really want to make a couple of different sauces. 709 00:33:18,564 --> 00:33:20,897 So, I decided to make a buttermilk biscuit 710 00:33:20,899 --> 00:33:23,900 soaked in a little chocolate and berry sauce 711 00:33:23,902 --> 00:33:25,035 with macerated strawberries 712 00:33:25,037 --> 00:33:26,670 and longan berries. 713 00:33:26,672 --> 00:33:28,939 I think this dessert definitely speaks to me. 714 00:33:28,941 --> 00:33:30,774 I mean the biscuit is something that I'm so familiar with 715 00:33:30,776 --> 00:33:32,442 and comfortable with and love to make. 716 00:33:35,013 --> 00:33:36,747 [Tiffani] We're going into the last round. 717 00:33:36,749 --> 00:33:38,415 The stakes could not be higher. 718 00:33:39,784 --> 00:33:41,118 I'm gonna go check and see what they're doing. 719 00:33:41,120 --> 00:33:43,253 I think Tajahi has a bread pudding. 720 00:33:43,688 --> 00:33:45,188 - Chef Tajahi. - Yes, ma'am. 721 00:33:45,190 --> 00:33:46,990 Do we have a bread pudding working, what's going on? 722 00:33:46,992 --> 00:33:48,058 That's what's in my mind. 723 00:33:48,060 --> 00:33:49,092 What's the plan for the longan? 724 00:33:49,094 --> 00:33:50,460 And have you worked with it before? 725 00:33:50,462 --> 00:33:51,461 Longan is in that tomato sauce. 726 00:33:51,463 --> 00:33:53,096 - Okay, it's already there. - [Tajahi] Yes. 727 00:33:53,098 --> 00:33:55,065 - Chef Zoe. - Yes, Chef. 728 00:33:55,067 --> 00:33:56,566 Did you taste the longan? 729 00:33:56,568 --> 00:33:57,634 Remind you of anything? 730 00:33:57,636 --> 00:33:59,636 - Melon and litchi. - [Tiffani] Exactly. 731 00:33:59,638 --> 00:34:01,905 You gotta win this round to get into the finale 732 00:34:01,907 --> 00:34:05,642 $25,000 and then there's potentially more. 733 00:34:05,644 --> 00:34:07,944 [Zoe] 16 minutes, holy cow. 734 00:34:07,946 --> 00:34:10,480 [Tiffani] Tajahi and Zoe got both of their items in 735 00:34:10,915 --> 00:34:13,717 at around 16 minutes. 736 00:34:13,719 --> 00:34:17,387 That may not be enough time to get biscuits and bread pudding fully baked. 737 00:34:21,159 --> 00:34:24,061 [Tajahi] Knowing the size of the bread pudding, 738 00:34:24,395 --> 00:34:26,463 I'm watching it closely. 739 00:34:26,465 --> 00:34:29,066 [Chris] I see bread puddings that are not setting up quite yet. 740 00:34:29,534 --> 00:34:30,934 He's just gonna have to wait. 741 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:37,507 [Zoe] This macerated fruit is gonna knock 742 00:34:37,509 --> 00:34:39,476 three of my basket ingredients out. 743 00:34:39,478 --> 00:34:42,112 Strawberries without the chocolate on them, the longan fruit 744 00:34:42,114 --> 00:34:44,214 and I've got the grenadine in there. 745 00:34:45,583 --> 00:34:46,916 For the chocolate sauce, 746 00:34:46,984 --> 00:34:49,786 I add the cognac just to add a little bit of depth 747 00:34:49,788 --> 00:34:51,354 and a little bit of bitterness. 748 00:34:52,190 --> 00:34:52,989 Good job, chef, keep it going. 749 00:34:52,991 --> 00:34:54,624 - Yeah. - Yeah. 750 00:34:54,626 --> 00:34:55,992 [Tajahi] My bread pudding's in the oven. 751 00:34:55,994 --> 00:34:57,994 This gives me time to find texture. 752 00:34:57,996 --> 00:35:00,764 I've candied pistachios many times. 753 00:35:00,766 --> 00:35:03,967 I grab some sugar, fresh mint 754 00:35:03,969 --> 00:35:05,769 and I drop the pistachios in the fryer. 755 00:35:05,771 --> 00:35:08,271 Five minutes to go, chefs. 756 00:35:08,273 --> 00:35:11,441 [Zoe] I'm trying to get my biscuits out of the oven into the blast chiller. 757 00:35:13,611 --> 00:35:17,481 I pull my bread pudding and I can see that it's scorched at the top. 758 00:35:18,149 --> 00:35:21,184 My bread pudding may have been overcooked. 759 00:35:30,027 --> 00:35:31,661 [Tajahi] I pull my bread pudding 760 00:35:31,663 --> 00:35:34,064 and I can see that it's overcooked. 761 00:35:34,066 --> 00:35:36,299 So, submerging it in the sauce, 762 00:35:36,901 --> 00:35:38,168 adding some moisture. 763 00:35:40,805 --> 00:35:41,905 Tajahi, how do you feel? 764 00:35:41,907 --> 00:35:42,839 I want this win. 765 00:35:42,873 --> 00:35:44,174 All right. 766 00:35:45,476 --> 00:35:47,043 [Ted] All right, chefs, this is your final minute. 767 00:35:47,045 --> 00:35:48,912 Come on, Zoe. You got this. 768 00:35:48,914 --> 00:35:50,947 [Zoe] It's done. It's done. It's done. 769 00:35:54,452 --> 00:35:55,986 After tasting baked Alaska, 770 00:35:55,988 --> 00:35:58,155 I'm just gonna use the meringue topping 771 00:35:59,624 --> 00:36:01,191 and get a little brulee on it. 772 00:36:01,193 --> 00:36:03,226 [Tiffani] If she torches it, I'm kinda in. 773 00:36:03,327 --> 00:36:03,894 Maybe. 774 00:36:03,896 --> 00:36:05,929 [Christian] 30 seconds. 775 00:36:05,931 --> 00:36:08,932 [Tajahi] I'm hoping that judges see the effort 776 00:36:08,934 --> 00:36:11,835 and hopefully I out-cook Chef Zoe. 777 00:36:11,837 --> 00:36:14,371 Hurry up, Zoe, whatever it is you're doing, do it. 778 00:36:17,074 --> 00:36:18,675 [Zoe] It's not gonna work. 779 00:36:18,677 --> 00:36:20,076 [Ted] Final seconds of the final round. 780 00:36:20,078 --> 00:36:24,581 Chefs, ten, nine, eight, seven, 781 00:36:24,583 --> 00:36:26,149 - six... - Come on, come on. 782 00:36:26,151 --> 00:36:32,255 [Ted] ...five, four, three, two, one. Time's up. 783 00:36:36,093 --> 00:36:37,427 [Zoe] Win or lose. 784 00:36:37,429 --> 00:36:38,995 I think luck has left the building. 785 00:36:38,997 --> 00:36:42,032 I think this really comes down to skill and execution at this point. 786 00:36:45,536 --> 00:36:47,938 Had this been a normal Chopped round, 787 00:36:47,940 --> 00:36:51,975 you would have both made desserts with baked Alaska, longan fruit, 788 00:36:51,977 --> 00:36:54,811 grenadine and sweet relish. 789 00:36:54,813 --> 00:36:56,313 But you got to risk changing things up. 790 00:36:56,581 --> 00:36:57,614 Chef Tajahi, 791 00:36:57,848 --> 00:37:00,917 what did you opt for instead of the sweet relish? 792 00:37:00,919 --> 00:37:01,918 [Tajahi] Tomato soup. 793 00:37:01,920 --> 00:37:05,822 I have baked Alaska bread pudding, 794 00:37:05,824 --> 00:37:11,161 brown sugar, tomato soup sauce with some candied pistachios. 795 00:37:14,832 --> 00:37:19,469 You put together a very tasty well-seasoned bread pudding. 796 00:37:19,471 --> 00:37:22,906 My favorite part, these toasted pistachios. This is great. 797 00:37:22,908 --> 00:37:26,876 The shocker for me is that tomato grenadine sauce. 798 00:37:26,878 --> 00:37:28,778 It tastes really bright. 799 00:37:28,780 --> 00:37:29,646 It's almost like a blood orange. 800 00:37:29,648 --> 00:37:31,414 Is it blood oranges in here? 801 00:37:31,416 --> 00:37:36,019 There's fresh orange zest as again, island boy, it has to have citrus. 802 00:37:36,021 --> 00:37:38,755 Each round you give us something that's really truly surprising 803 00:37:38,757 --> 00:37:41,791 and in this case it's this tomato soup sauce. 804 00:37:41,793 --> 00:37:44,928 I would eat a bowl of just that with these pistachios. 805 00:37:44,930 --> 00:37:47,430 I'm going to when I finish talking. I'm gonna go back in. 806 00:37:47,898 --> 00:37:49,799 The bread pudding though. 807 00:37:49,801 --> 00:37:51,200 Give us some of that marshmallow, 808 00:37:51,202 --> 00:37:53,069 give us some of that vanilla ice cream straight from the baked Alaska 809 00:37:53,071 --> 00:37:55,372 because the baked Alaska seems kind of lost. 810 00:37:58,042 --> 00:38:00,744 Cut this bread pudding in half, it is dry, it is dense 811 00:38:00,746 --> 00:38:03,613 but the tomato sauce is so genius. 812 00:38:03,615 --> 00:38:05,949 The addition of the orange liqueur and the orange zest 813 00:38:05,951 --> 00:38:08,084 really transforms it into something spectacular. 814 00:38:08,753 --> 00:38:10,153 Finally, Chef Zoe. 815 00:38:10,588 --> 00:38:14,324 I prepared buttermilk biscuits soaked in a berry and chocolate sauce 816 00:38:14,326 --> 00:38:16,693 with macerated strawberries and longan fruit 817 00:38:16,695 --> 00:38:18,528 and whipped marshmallow. 818 00:38:18,530 --> 00:38:20,997 I got the chocolate-covered strawberries for the relish. 819 00:38:23,634 --> 00:38:25,602 [Chris] Some really great stuff going on here. 820 00:38:25,604 --> 00:38:28,571 The biscuit, I think it's delicious 821 00:38:28,573 --> 00:38:31,107 and it's paired really perfectly with that chocolate sauce 822 00:38:31,109 --> 00:38:32,642 that you made with the strawberries. 823 00:38:32,644 --> 00:38:34,878 That bite right there is perfect. 824 00:38:34,880 --> 00:38:36,546 - The marshmallow that was on the... - Mm-hmm. 825 00:38:36,548 --> 00:38:38,948 I wonder if you would have been better served 826 00:38:38,950 --> 00:38:43,053 with vanilla ice cream because it's just not super flavorful. 827 00:38:43,055 --> 00:38:44,954 And then the strawberries and the longan fruit on top 828 00:38:44,956 --> 00:38:47,924 are a nice idea except the way you cut the basil. 829 00:38:47,926 --> 00:38:49,526 - [Zoe] Heard. - A bite of it is just because 830 00:38:49,528 --> 00:38:51,695 it starts to become very astringent. 831 00:38:51,697 --> 00:38:54,130 This is a very good dessert with some technical errors. 832 00:38:54,965 --> 00:38:55,865 [Tiffani] I agree with Chris entirely. 833 00:38:55,867 --> 00:38:58,868 The biscuit is spectacular. 834 00:38:58,870 --> 00:39:01,504 I think the strawberry chocolate sauce with the longan in it 835 00:39:01,506 --> 00:39:03,306 is really interesting. 836 00:39:03,308 --> 00:39:07,811 The longan lightens up the strawberry chocolate. Overall it's delicious. 837 00:39:07,813 --> 00:39:09,079 It's delicious. 838 00:39:09,947 --> 00:39:11,781 Thank you very much, chef. 839 00:39:11,783 --> 00:39:13,450 All right, you gambled, you cooked. 840 00:39:13,452 --> 00:39:14,684 Well done, both of you. 841 00:39:14,686 --> 00:39:16,319 We'll name the winner very soon. 842 00:39:20,458 --> 00:39:22,492 Great competition, high stakes. 843 00:39:22,494 --> 00:39:24,027 Both chefs really brought it. 844 00:39:24,029 --> 00:39:25,095 - Two high rollers. - Yes. 845 00:39:25,097 --> 00:39:27,297 First round, we have Tajahi. 846 00:39:28,099 --> 00:39:29,933 He makes this incredible curry. 847 00:39:29,935 --> 00:39:30,967 - With pork brains? - Yeah. 848 00:39:30,969 --> 00:39:33,703 And Johnny cake fritters. 849 00:39:33,705 --> 00:39:34,904 The fritters were a little chewy. 850 00:39:34,906 --> 00:39:36,306 [Chris] Yeah, totally agree. 851 00:39:36,308 --> 00:39:37,674 [Chris] Okay, Zoe rolled the dice and got chili dogs. 852 00:39:37,676 --> 00:39:40,176 Definitely, better than the pork bung. 853 00:39:40,178 --> 00:39:41,811 I think we all really liked the flavor. 854 00:39:41,813 --> 00:39:43,880 She did use a lot of red onion. 855 00:39:43,882 --> 00:39:44,914 Thank God Scott Conant was not here today. 856 00:39:44,916 --> 00:39:47,083 I think the first round is really a tossup. 857 00:39:47,085 --> 00:39:49,018 It's hard to, it's really hard to pick a winner there. 858 00:39:49,020 --> 00:39:50,120 Honestly, for me it's a draw. 859 00:39:50,122 --> 00:39:51,921 Then let's get into entrees. 860 00:39:51,923 --> 00:39:54,491 [Chris] That truffle-honey which I thought was gonna be a really difficult ingredient. 861 00:39:54,493 --> 00:39:57,494 Zoe really nailed it by incorporating that into her artichokes 862 00:39:57,496 --> 00:39:59,929 and then incorporating that into her rice. 863 00:39:59,931 --> 00:40:01,498 As much as I, like, didn't super love 864 00:40:01,500 --> 00:40:03,466 the treatment of the broccoli rabe, 865 00:40:03,468 --> 00:40:06,936 that sweet honey truffle rice up against the bitterness of the broccoli rabe 866 00:40:06,938 --> 00:40:09,105 was so smart. 867 00:40:09,107 --> 00:40:11,708 I will say this, when it comes down monkfish to monkfish, 868 00:40:11,710 --> 00:40:16,946 Tajahi's spice rub was spectacular. 869 00:40:16,948 --> 00:40:21,217 That fish tea was one of the best things I've had in a long time. 870 00:40:21,219 --> 00:40:25,221 But what do we do when the monkfish was so completely overcooked? 871 00:40:34,465 --> 00:40:38,067 So, whose dish is on the chopping block? 872 00:40:46,310 --> 00:40:48,244 Chef Tajahi you've been chopped. 873 00:40:48,612 --> 00:40:49,846 Judges. 874 00:40:50,047 --> 00:40:53,950 Chef Tajahi, that monkfish tea that you made was delicious. 875 00:40:53,952 --> 00:40:55,351 - Thank you, chef. - However, your rice was kinda bland 876 00:40:55,353 --> 00:40:57,454 and your monkfish was very overcooked. 877 00:40:57,456 --> 00:41:00,957 And then in the dessert round that bread pudding was really dry. 878 00:41:01,025 --> 00:41:02,225 We had to chop you? 879 00:41:02,227 --> 00:41:03,193 May I shake your hands? 880 00:41:03,195 --> 00:41:06,930 The hardest part about being chopped is knowing 881 00:41:06,932 --> 00:41:07,730 that I could have won. 882 00:41:07,732 --> 00:41:08,498 I tried. 883 00:41:08,933 --> 00:41:11,134 And that means Chef Zoe Schor, 884 00:41:11,136 --> 00:41:13,970 you are the Chopped champion. Congratulations! 885 00:41:13,972 --> 00:41:15,171 [Tiffani] Yes, she did! Yes! 886 00:41:15,173 --> 00:41:16,606 Thank you so much. 887 00:41:16,608 --> 00:41:17,574 [Ted] In the finale, 888 00:41:17,576 --> 00:41:21,478 a minimum of $25,000 will be in play. 889 00:41:21,480 --> 00:41:23,146 [Zoe] Right now, coming off this win, 890 00:41:23,148 --> 00:41:24,848 I can't wait to go to the finale, 891 00:41:24,850 --> 00:41:27,217 after I get maybe some sleep. 892 00:41:30,187 --> 00:41:31,888 [woman] There's just so much on the line for this. 893 00:41:31,890 --> 00:41:34,023 Get it together. 894 00:41:34,025 --> 00:41:36,259 This is the most exciting Chopped I've ever seen. 895 00:41:36,261 --> 00:41:38,394 -You got this, you got this, -Oh my God. 896 00:41:39,196 --> 00:41:40,763 Players are playing. 897 00:41:40,765 --> 00:41:43,199 Come on, come on, come on, this is it! 898 00:41:43,201 --> 00:41:44,501 [Chris] You don't look stressed. 899 00:41:44,503 --> 00:41:47,604 I never look stressed. I'm just primal screaming on the inside. 900 00:41:47,606 --> 00:41:48,872 [Ted] They're putting it all on the line. 901 00:41:48,874 --> 00:41:50,073 I may need to up my anxiety medication. 902 00:41:50,075 --> 00:41:52,442 [Ted] It's always a gamble. 903 00:41:52,444 --> 00:41:57,280 Five, four, three, two, one. 904 00:41:57,282 --> 00:41:59,249 It's Casino Royale.