1 00:00:00,967 --> 00:00:02,200 [woman 1] I am lady luck. 2 00:00:02,266 --> 00:00:03,567 [woman 2] I make my own luck. 3 00:00:03,567 --> 00:00:05,367 [man] I'm gonna gamble every single chance I get. 4 00:00:05,367 --> 00:00:07,066 [man 2] Let's go! 5 00:00:07,066 --> 00:00:09,767 Welcome to Chopped: Casino Royale. 6 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:13,400 These 16 chefs are all in. 7 00:00:13,467 --> 00:00:15,300 A giant jackpot... 8 00:00:15,367 --> 00:00:16,400 Ooo, baby. 9 00:00:16,467 --> 00:00:18,266 ...adrenaline through the roof. 10 00:00:18,266 --> 00:00:19,700 [all] Oh! 11 00:00:19,767 --> 00:00:21,967 This is truly an ingredient I would not know what to do with. 12 00:00:21,967 --> 00:00:23,667 [Ted] Don't like an ingredient, 13 00:00:23,667 --> 00:00:25,400 spin the roulette wheel. 14 00:00:25,467 --> 00:00:26,767 [woman 1] Boom! Yeah, baby! 15 00:00:26,767 --> 00:00:28,300 [Terri] I'm feeling lucky! 16 00:00:29,166 --> 00:00:30,800 [Ted] Get lucky... 17 00:00:30,867 --> 00:00:32,467 {\an8}-[all exclaiming] -Oh, my God! 18 00:00:32,467 --> 00:00:34,467 -[Tiffani] It's an incredible ingredient. -Oh! 19 00:00:35,166 --> 00:00:36,700 [Ted] ...or lose big. 20 00:00:36,767 --> 00:00:38,300 -[exclaiming] -[Ted] Limburger cheese! 21 00:00:38,367 --> 00:00:39,467 [gasps] 22 00:00:39,467 --> 00:00:41,066 Like, what do you even do with that? 23 00:00:41,066 --> 00:00:43,066 You've got to make your own luck in this kitchen. 24 00:00:43,066 --> 00:00:45,266 [Kirsten] If you're not taking risks in the Chopped kitchen, 25 00:00:45,266 --> 00:00:46,900 why are you here? 26 00:00:46,967 --> 00:00:49,166 [man] I'm rolling that dice, regardless of the ingredients. 27 00:00:49,166 --> 00:00:51,266 -[gasps] -[exclaiming] 28 00:00:51,266 --> 00:00:53,066 Whoo, we're cooking over here. 29 00:00:53,066 --> 00:00:54,567 You get one bet. This is it. 30 00:00:54,567 --> 00:00:56,100 I'm sweating, honey. 31 00:00:56,100 --> 00:00:57,667 No risk, no reward, baby. 32 00:00:57,667 --> 00:00:59,000 [exclaims] No! 33 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:00,500 [Ted] Place your bets. 34 00:01:00,567 --> 00:01:03,000 -Hope you guys are playing your cards right. -Whoo! 35 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:04,700 Let the good times roll. 36 00:01:09,767 --> 00:01:11,867 [Alex] I'm here to win my money. 37 00:01:11,867 --> 00:01:13,800 You guys tell me if I'm doing something wrong or right. 38 00:01:13,867 --> 00:01:16,000 I'm just... I'm just cooking like I'm cooking. 39 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:17,667 In high school, I was the guy who would always 40 00:01:17,667 --> 00:01:19,500 be cooking the munchies at the after-party. 41 00:01:21,700 --> 00:01:22,934 I'm Alex Lira, 42 00:01:22,934 --> 00:01:25,467 owner of Bar George in Charleston, South Carolina. 43 00:01:25,467 --> 00:01:26,667 Tangy. Tart. Sweet. 44 00:01:26,667 --> 00:01:28,500 Gonna go nice with that salt. 45 00:01:28,567 --> 00:01:30,200 I think I take risks in the kitchen. 46 00:01:30,700 --> 00:01:32,000 Whoo! 47 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:33,700 My philosophy on food 48 00:01:33,700 --> 00:01:36,467 is to kinda cut through the fancy pants stuff and just keep it real. 49 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:40,100 [Alexandra] I'm all in! 50 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:43,567 I started my career 51 00:01:43,567 --> 00:01:45,800 working at my parents' Greek restaurants. 52 00:01:45,867 --> 00:01:48,667 I was basically born sitting on a cutting board 53 00:01:48,667 --> 00:01:51,500 and I could season things myself before I could walk. 54 00:01:54,100 --> 00:01:56,300 I am very competitive. 55 00:01:56,367 --> 00:01:58,367 If I had to name one spirit animal, 56 00:01:58,367 --> 00:02:00,700 I would probably say it was a bucking bronco 57 00:02:00,767 --> 00:02:03,000 because I go out there full energy 58 00:02:03,066 --> 00:02:04,667 and I don't let anybody get in my way. 59 00:02:09,266 --> 00:02:10,667 [Kirsten] I'm the creme de la creme. 60 00:02:13,467 --> 00:02:15,100 I don't really play by the rules. 61 00:02:15,166 --> 00:02:17,567 I don't really use recipes. 62 00:02:17,567 --> 00:02:18,767 When you taste my food, 63 00:02:18,767 --> 00:02:20,500 you're gonna get an insane pop of flavor. 64 00:02:20,567 --> 00:02:23,200 So spicy. [laughing] 65 00:02:23,266 --> 00:02:25,266 You're gonna get citrus. You're gonna get acid. 66 00:02:25,266 --> 00:02:28,400 You're gonna get all of that beautiful deep spice. 67 00:02:28,467 --> 00:02:30,700 If you're not taking risks in the Chopped kitchen, 68 00:02:30,767 --> 00:02:32,300 why are you here? 69 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:35,967 [Terri] I'm not gonna fold under pressure in the kitchen. 70 00:02:37,567 --> 00:02:40,166 I was a state champion in high school running track. 71 00:02:40,166 --> 00:02:42,000 Now I'm about to be the Chopped champion. 72 00:02:42,900 --> 00:02:45,367 I've been nominated for best chef 73 00:02:45,367 --> 00:02:48,200 and best food truck in Kansas City. 74 00:02:48,266 --> 00:02:51,400 My style of cooking is Cajun with a healthy twist. 75 00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:54,400 Bright colors, fresh, nothing out of a can 76 00:02:54,467 --> 00:02:56,100 right there in your face. 77 00:02:56,166 --> 00:02:57,200 There we go. 78 00:02:58,200 --> 00:02:59,700 I'm gonna make these other chefs fold. 79 00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:04,600 -Hello, chefs. -[all] Hi, Ted! 80 00:03:04,667 --> 00:03:07,266 Welcome to Chopped: Casino Royale. 81 00:03:07,266 --> 00:03:08,867 Different house rules today. 82 00:03:08,867 --> 00:03:10,967 After you've opened your mystery baskets, 83 00:03:10,967 --> 00:03:13,867 you do not have to accept the hand you've been dealt. 84 00:03:13,867 --> 00:03:17,300 You can ditch an ingredient for a chance at a better one 85 00:03:17,367 --> 00:03:18,867 at the roulette table. 86 00:03:18,867 --> 00:03:20,467 -[Terri] Ooo! -[Kirsten] Awesome. 87 00:03:20,467 --> 00:03:23,300 [Ted] Win your bet, choose a lucky ingredient. 88 00:03:24,066 --> 00:03:26,000 Lose your bet, 89 00:03:26,066 --> 00:03:28,800 you have to choose an unlucky ingredient. 90 00:03:28,867 --> 00:03:31,767 {\an8}The winner of this preliminary competition 91 00:03:31,767 --> 00:03:35,667 {\an8}gets to come back for the Casino Royale finale. 92 00:03:35,667 --> 00:03:39,667 Jackpot there starts at $25,000. 93 00:03:39,667 --> 00:03:41,100 -Wow. -[Ted] Could be more. 94 00:03:41,100 --> 00:03:42,767 -[Alex] All right. -All right! 95 00:03:42,767 --> 00:03:44,500 All right. Appetizer round comes first. 96 00:03:46,700 --> 00:03:47,867 They're all yours. 97 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:49,900 Pork blood... 98 00:03:49,967 --> 00:03:51,166 What the hell is this? 99 00:03:51,166 --> 00:03:53,667 Blood. Okay. 100 00:03:53,667 --> 00:03:55,867 Oh, my gosh. What do I do with pork blood? 101 00:03:55,867 --> 00:03:57,166 A sauce? 102 00:03:57,166 --> 00:03:59,467 -[Ted] ...squash blossoms... -Squash blossoms. 103 00:04:00,266 --> 00:04:01,500 [Ted] ...long-bone steak... 104 00:04:01,567 --> 00:04:02,567 Oh. Oh, yeah. 105 00:04:03,567 --> 00:04:04,567 Wowzers. 106 00:04:05,367 --> 00:04:07,166 [Ted] ...and diced lollipops. 107 00:04:07,166 --> 00:04:08,667 Diced lollies. 108 00:04:08,667 --> 00:04:09,967 I love suckers, so... 109 00:04:11,100 --> 00:04:12,567 [Ted] So, what do you say? 110 00:04:12,567 --> 00:04:15,400 Do you want any of these ingredients to disappear, Chef Alexandra? 111 00:04:15,467 --> 00:04:18,367 [Alexandra] I think I'm gonna gamble on the pork blood. 112 00:04:18,367 --> 00:04:20,300 I'm with Alexandra on this one. Let's get rid of it. 113 00:04:20,367 --> 00:04:22,400 No pork blood. I'm gambling. 114 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:24,066 I'm also gonna get rid of that pork blood. 115 00:04:24,066 --> 00:04:25,900 [Ted] That seems to be a consensus 116 00:04:25,967 --> 00:04:28,567 and a whole bunch of extra pork blood for you guys. 117 00:04:28,567 --> 00:04:30,467 -Yes. Right on. -Yum! 118 00:04:30,467 --> 00:04:33,266 All right. Time to gamble, then. Let's go. 119 00:04:33,266 --> 00:04:35,100 -[Tiffani] Here we go. -[Alexandra] Let's do this. 120 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:36,667 -[Maneet] Are you guys ready? -[all] Yeah! 121 00:04:37,367 --> 00:04:38,800 [Alex] Let's go. 122 00:04:38,800 --> 00:04:40,800 -[Ted] Chef Terri, you're going first. -[Alexandra] Come on, Terri. 123 00:04:40,867 --> 00:04:42,367 -[Kirsten] You got this. -[Maneet] Okay! 124 00:04:42,367 --> 00:04:44,567 -[Terri] Red it is. -Warm her up. Let's go! 125 00:04:47,066 --> 00:04:48,367 -Wow, red. -[Chris] Red it is. 126 00:04:48,367 --> 00:04:49,667 [Maneet] Red! 127 00:04:49,667 --> 00:04:50,967 {\an8}-Oh, yes! -[clapping] 128 00:04:53,767 --> 00:04:56,767 You get to choose from cloches one through six. 129 00:04:58,367 --> 00:04:59,567 One. 130 00:04:59,567 --> 00:05:01,100 -Okay. One it is. -Here we go. 131 00:05:02,967 --> 00:05:04,266 -[all gasping] -[Ted] You got... 132 00:05:04,266 --> 00:05:05,967 -Wow! -Yes! 133 00:05:05,967 --> 00:05:07,467 {\an8}[Ted] ...roasted marrow bone. 134 00:05:07,467 --> 00:05:08,834 {\an8}-[Kirsten] Nice. -[Chris] Great. 135 00:05:08,867 --> 00:05:11,767 {\an8}-That's amazing! -Chef Terri, this is an incredible ingredient. 136 00:05:11,767 --> 00:05:13,100 It's already cooked, 137 00:05:13,166 --> 00:05:15,467 so the marrow in the middle is essentially meat butter. 138 00:05:15,467 --> 00:05:17,567 Chef Alexandra, red or black? 139 00:05:17,567 --> 00:05:19,300 -Red lipstick. -Okay. 140 00:05:19,367 --> 00:05:21,100 -[all cheering] -[Tiffani] Here we go. 141 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:22,767 -Red, red, red, red, red. -[Chris] Is it red? 142 00:05:22,767 --> 00:05:24,667 -Red, red, red, red, red, red. -[Ted] Here it comes. 143 00:05:24,667 --> 00:05:26,000 -Red! -[all cheering] 144 00:05:27,467 --> 00:05:28,467 Oh, my God. 145 00:05:28,467 --> 00:05:30,467 -I think I'm going three. -[Ted] Very good. 146 00:05:31,667 --> 00:05:33,700 {\an8}-Chinese broccoli! -[Tiffani] Oh, wow! 147 00:05:33,767 --> 00:05:35,166 {\an8}[Alexandra] I think I can do this. 148 00:05:35,166 --> 00:05:36,800 -Yeah. Thank you. -[Chris] Nice ingredient. 149 00:05:36,867 --> 00:05:38,800 -[Ted] Chef Kirsten. -I'm gonna go with black. 150 00:05:39,767 --> 00:05:41,700 [Chris] Come on. Black, black, black. 151 00:05:41,767 --> 00:05:42,867 Come on! 152 00:05:44,667 --> 00:05:46,066 -[Ted] Black it is! -[cheering] 153 00:05:46,066 --> 00:05:47,400 -Yes! Yes! -[cheering] 154 00:05:47,467 --> 00:05:49,967 I think I'm gonna go with lucky number six. 155 00:05:49,967 --> 00:05:51,667 -[Ted] Cornish hens! -[all exclaiming] 156 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:54,266 {\an8}[Tiffani] Love it! 157 00:05:54,266 --> 00:05:55,767 -[Chris] Amazing. -Double protein. 158 00:05:55,767 --> 00:05:58,066 -There's nothing wrong with turf and turf. -[all laughing] 159 00:05:58,066 --> 00:05:59,166 All right. 160 00:05:59,166 --> 00:06:00,800 [Ted] Let's keep the streak going. 161 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:02,300 {\an8}-Chef Alex. -I always bet on black. 162 00:06:02,367 --> 00:06:03,700 [Tiffani] All right. Here we go. 163 00:06:03,767 --> 00:06:05,467 [both] Black, black, black, black, black. 164 00:06:05,467 --> 00:06:07,200 -Black! -[all exclaiming] 165 00:06:07,266 --> 00:06:09,500 -[Ted] And black it is! -[all cheering] 166 00:06:09,567 --> 00:06:10,567 [all exclaiming] 167 00:06:11,367 --> 00:06:12,967 [Alex] Let's do four. 168 00:06:12,967 --> 00:06:15,367 -[Tiffani] Okay. -[Ted] Four it is. 169 00:06:15,367 --> 00:06:18,000 -Heirloom tomatoes! -Oh, come on! 170 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,166 {\an8}-[Maneet] Wow. That's amazing. -[Ted] Heirloom tomatoes. 171 00:06:20,166 --> 00:06:22,266 Heirloom tomatoes. That's a home run. 172 00:06:22,266 --> 00:06:24,000 There's a million things you can do with those. 173 00:06:24,066 --> 00:06:26,867 You have 20 minutes to make amazing dishes. 174 00:06:26,867 --> 00:06:28,066 Clock starts now. 175 00:06:28,066 --> 00:06:29,700 All right, guys. Go, go, go! 176 00:06:29,767 --> 00:06:32,166 {\an8}-[Chris] It's gonna be great. -[Tiffani] Okay! This is gonna be awesome. 177 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:36,667 {\an8}[Ted] Judges, we are back in the Chopped: Casino Royale 178 00:06:36,667 --> 00:06:39,567 for another spectacular tournament event. 179 00:06:39,567 --> 00:06:41,600 [Tiffani] Smells like a Vegas steakhouse in here. 180 00:06:41,667 --> 00:06:43,600 -Yes, it does. -[Terri grunts] 181 00:06:43,667 --> 00:06:45,000 [Ted] And that steak... 182 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,567 One of the most prized and beautiful cuts you can possibly get 183 00:06:47,567 --> 00:06:48,967 with that long bone in it. 184 00:06:48,967 --> 00:06:50,667 Unfortunately, Tiffani... 185 00:06:50,667 --> 00:06:51,767 -[laughing] -What? 186 00:06:51,767 --> 00:06:53,867 No time to cook that steak in 20 minutes. 187 00:06:53,867 --> 00:06:55,900 This kills me, but it's gotta be smaller. 188 00:06:57,166 --> 00:06:59,000 {\an8}I have two proteins now to deal with. 189 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:00,500 {\an8}It's an appetizer round. 190 00:07:00,567 --> 00:07:02,166 {\an8}All of it's raw. 191 00:07:02,166 --> 00:07:04,367 {\an8}So I decided to make the Cornish game hen the star of the show. 192 00:07:05,367 --> 00:07:07,100 I'm using the fat from the long-bone steak 193 00:07:07,166 --> 00:07:08,567 to sear my Cornish hen. 194 00:07:08,567 --> 00:07:09,900 Chef Kirsten, 195 00:07:09,967 --> 00:07:11,900 what are you doing with the Cornish hen? 196 00:07:11,967 --> 00:07:13,033 Uh, Cornish hen... 197 00:07:13,066 --> 00:07:14,867 I'm gonna be searing it off using that beef fat. 198 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:16,967 Really, really rich and delicious. 199 00:07:16,967 --> 00:07:18,500 [Chris] I love that Kirsten is gambling 200 00:07:18,567 --> 00:07:21,367 and is not gonna really highlight that long-bone steak. 201 00:07:21,367 --> 00:07:22,967 [Kirsten] And then I'm gonna be doing that 202 00:07:22,967 --> 00:07:26,400 with a squash blossom and Parmesan sauce on the plate. 203 00:07:26,467 --> 00:07:29,367 [Maneet] Squash blossom. Such a beautiful ingredient. 204 00:07:29,367 --> 00:07:32,100 {\an8}There are fritters that can be made out of squash blossoms. 205 00:07:32,100 --> 00:07:33,867 Stuff the squash blossoms. 206 00:07:33,867 --> 00:07:35,266 There's so much that can be done. 207 00:07:35,266 --> 00:07:37,400 {\an8}[Tiffani] Terri got bone marrow. 208 00:07:37,467 --> 00:07:39,467 {\an8}Roasted marrow bones. It's already cooked. 209 00:07:39,467 --> 00:07:41,867 {\an8}Super luxurious. Super rich. 210 00:07:41,867 --> 00:07:44,467 [Terri] I'm making long-bone steak 211 00:07:44,467 --> 00:07:46,266 and bone marrow crostinis... 212 00:07:46,266 --> 00:07:47,600 You gotta put some muscle in it. 213 00:07:47,667 --> 00:07:50,166 ...topped with squash blossom and frisee salad. 214 00:07:51,567 --> 00:07:53,100 I've always been competitive. 215 00:07:53,100 --> 00:07:55,600 I started running track early in life. 216 00:07:55,667 --> 00:07:57,400 Behind. Behind. Behind. 217 00:07:57,467 --> 00:07:59,000 I held the record in high school. 218 00:07:59,066 --> 00:08:02,000 {\an8}So I'm bringing speed and a big old smile. 219 00:08:04,066 --> 00:08:06,467 {\an8}Whoo! They're spicy jalapenos. 220 00:08:06,467 --> 00:08:09,166 {\an8}Heirloom tomatoes, I think, are gonna make a delicious sauce 221 00:08:09,166 --> 00:08:11,600 {\an8}by turning them into a gazpacho. 222 00:08:11,667 --> 00:08:13,467 I'm making a seared long-bone steak... 223 00:08:13,467 --> 00:08:15,900 Yeah! That's the sear we're looking for. 224 00:08:15,967 --> 00:08:19,266 ...with a lollipop tempura squash blossom 225 00:08:19,266 --> 00:08:21,100 and heirloom tomato gazpacho. 226 00:08:21,166 --> 00:08:22,567 There she goes. 227 00:08:22,567 --> 00:08:24,467 Just unwrapping these suckers is hard. 228 00:08:27,467 --> 00:08:28,867 Hey, Alex, how's it going? 229 00:08:28,867 --> 00:08:30,300 I'm having so much fun. How are you? 230 00:08:30,367 --> 00:08:32,467 [Alexandra] How are the two Alexes doing today? 231 00:08:32,467 --> 00:08:34,266 {\an8}I got Chinese broccoli 232 00:08:34,266 --> 00:08:36,800 {\an8}which I actually, like... I eat. 233 00:08:36,867 --> 00:08:40,266 {\an8}Chinese broccoli is a quick-cooking green vegetable 234 00:08:40,266 --> 00:08:41,767 {\an8}with a lot of fresh flavor. 235 00:08:41,767 --> 00:08:43,800 Nice sear, Chef. Nice sear. 236 00:08:43,867 --> 00:08:45,100 Thank you, Chef. 237 00:08:45,166 --> 00:08:48,600 I am going to make a long-bone steak salad 238 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:50,767 with warm Chinese broccoli 239 00:08:50,767 --> 00:08:54,166 {\an8}and a lollipop nuoc cham vinaigrette. 240 00:08:54,166 --> 00:08:57,100 {\an8}Nuoc cham is a Vietnamese dipping sauce. 241 00:08:57,100 --> 00:08:59,900 [Maneet] So, these dice lollipops are regular lollipops, 242 00:08:59,967 --> 00:09:02,200 so it's sugar, cherry flavored 243 00:09:02,266 --> 00:09:04,867 in the shape of a dice. 244 00:09:04,867 --> 00:09:06,567 Kirsten took some of that 245 00:09:06,567 --> 00:09:09,800 with what looks like soy and sesame seed 246 00:09:09,867 --> 00:09:12,567 and I think she's kinda making a sauce out of that. 247 00:09:12,567 --> 00:09:16,000 Chefs, you've got 10 minutes to get it done. 248 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,700 [Alex] I think Kirsten has the toughest job ahead of her 249 00:09:18,767 --> 00:09:20,900 because she's got to make an appetizer 250 00:09:20,967 --> 00:09:24,000 out of two significantly large animals 251 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:26,000 with completely different flavor profiles. 252 00:09:26,066 --> 00:09:29,867 With the squash blossom, I think a tempura is an obvious go-to. 253 00:09:29,867 --> 00:09:33,166 I mix together some club soda, some flour, 254 00:09:33,166 --> 00:09:36,767 grapefruit reduction that had the melted dice in it. 255 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,200 {\an8}I'm feeling lucky! 256 00:09:43,266 --> 00:09:45,700 I know I can use the dice lollipop with vinaigrette. 257 00:09:45,767 --> 00:09:48,000 So I add that with red wine vinegar 258 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,467 and a little oil from the steak 259 00:09:50,467 --> 00:09:51,900 and make my salad dressing. 260 00:09:51,967 --> 00:09:53,066 Mmm-mmm! 261 00:09:54,900 --> 00:09:56,467 [Kirsten] I have less than five minutes. 262 00:09:56,467 --> 00:09:58,767 My Cornish game hen is still in the pan 263 00:09:58,767 --> 00:10:00,500 and I realize I have nothing on a plate. 264 00:10:00,567 --> 00:10:02,400 I need to kick myself into third gear. 265 00:10:02,467 --> 00:10:03,567 -Behind you. -Yeah. 266 00:10:03,567 --> 00:10:06,100 You gotta start thinking about plating. 267 00:10:06,100 --> 00:10:07,500 Ooo, this is harder than I thought. 268 00:10:13,700 --> 00:10:15,266 Behind you. 269 00:10:15,266 --> 00:10:16,867 {\an8}I need to kick myself into third gear 270 00:10:16,867 --> 00:10:18,600 {\an8}and I need to get everything on that plate. 271 00:10:18,667 --> 00:10:20,667 {\an8}AP and corn starch. 272 00:10:20,667 --> 00:10:22,667 {\an8}-I've got... I've got AP. I'm sorry. -[Kirsten] You got it? 273 00:10:22,667 --> 00:10:24,467 {\an8}-Where is it? -Right below my station here. 274 00:10:24,467 --> 00:10:27,367 This Chopped kitchen is excruciating in the first round. 275 00:10:27,367 --> 00:10:28,867 I mean, I'm running all over the place. 276 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:32,266 Thank you. Appreciate that. 277 00:10:32,266 --> 00:10:33,900 [Alexandra] So, with the squash blossoms, 278 00:10:33,967 --> 00:10:35,867 I wanna put them in a salad, 279 00:10:35,867 --> 00:10:37,100 dress them with a dressing 280 00:10:37,166 --> 00:10:39,100 and put them over the Chinese broccoli. 281 00:10:39,166 --> 00:10:42,266 I toss the squash blossoms with Fresno chilies 282 00:10:42,266 --> 00:10:45,166 just to give that a little fresh pop. 283 00:10:45,166 --> 00:10:48,266 [Terri] I use the squash blossom in the frisee as a salad 284 00:10:48,266 --> 00:10:51,000 because it is so delicate I don't wanna cook it. 285 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:53,500 There's $25,000 on the line here. 286 00:10:53,567 --> 00:10:55,300 I don't wanna make a mistake. 287 00:10:55,367 --> 00:10:57,567 -Someone's got a whole long-bone steak. -Why? 288 00:10:57,567 --> 00:10:59,066 [Tiffani] That's Chef Alex. 289 00:10:59,066 --> 00:11:00,900 [Alex] My view on life is just, like, 290 00:11:00,967 --> 00:11:02,166 definitely take risks. 291 00:11:02,166 --> 00:11:05,200 {\an8}That's the only way you're gonna have experiences. 292 00:11:05,266 --> 00:11:08,400 That is gonna definitely be on the rare side of medium-rare. 293 00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:10,367 Just under two minutes, chefs. Just under two minutes. 294 00:11:10,367 --> 00:11:11,433 It's gonna fly by. 295 00:11:11,467 --> 00:11:13,200 You gotta start plating. You gotta finish plating. 296 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:16,734 ♪ Let's go♪ 297 00:11:16,734 --> 00:11:18,367 [Kirsten] So, I'm looking down at my plate. 298 00:11:18,367 --> 00:11:19,567 It's missing something. 299 00:11:19,567 --> 00:11:22,400 And I just throw a bunch of arugula on the plate. 300 00:11:24,467 --> 00:11:26,100 Gotta cut this steak. 301 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:30,500 [Ted] And with a minute, Chef Alex is back to the fryer 302 00:11:30,567 --> 00:11:32,166 -correcting his squash blossoms. -Let's go! 303 00:11:32,166 --> 00:11:34,166 [Tiffani] Here we go, guys. Gotta get past this round 304 00:11:34,166 --> 00:11:35,767 to get a shot at 25k. 305 00:11:35,767 --> 00:11:38,066 [Chris] 45 seconds. 306 00:11:38,066 --> 00:11:39,867 -Where is he going? -Come on. Where are you going? 307 00:11:39,867 --> 00:11:42,667 -Where are you going? Where are you going? -Less than 15 seconds left. 308 00:11:42,667 --> 00:11:44,500 All right, chefs, stay a step ahead of that clock. 309 00:11:44,567 --> 00:11:46,200 It's ticking down now. 310 00:11:46,266 --> 00:11:49,667 10, nine, eight, 311 00:11:49,667 --> 00:11:52,700 seven, six, five, 312 00:11:52,767 --> 00:11:56,800 four, three, two, one. 313 00:11:56,867 --> 00:11:58,166 Times up! 314 00:11:58,166 --> 00:11:59,667 -Whoo! -Whoa! 315 00:12:04,166 --> 00:12:06,667 Whoo! That's a tough round. 316 00:12:08,100 --> 00:12:10,066 Moving forward, I gotta get that brain 317 00:12:10,066 --> 00:12:12,467 going faster than what it is. 318 00:12:15,166 --> 00:12:17,200 [Alexandra] There was a few little details, maybe, 319 00:12:17,266 --> 00:12:19,700 I feel like, if I was in the restaurant, I'd wanna put on there. 320 00:12:19,767 --> 00:12:22,400 But, you know, for 20 minutes, I'm pretty proud of myself. 321 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,100 Chefs, you have arrived at the chopping block. 322 00:12:31,900 --> 00:12:33,266 Our culinary pit bosses 323 00:12:33,266 --> 00:12:37,266 gave you an appetizer basket of pork blood, 324 00:12:37,266 --> 00:12:40,367 squash blossoms, long-bone steaks 325 00:12:40,367 --> 00:12:42,100 and dice lollipops. 326 00:12:42,100 --> 00:12:43,800 {\an8}All right, Chef Kirsten, you're up first. 327 00:12:43,867 --> 00:12:46,767 Tell us about the ingredient you decided to unload. 328 00:12:46,767 --> 00:12:48,467 So, I got rid of the pork blood 329 00:12:48,467 --> 00:12:50,467 and I was given Cornish game hen. 330 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,166 {\an8}Right, so, this is a pan-seared Cornish game hen 331 00:12:54,166 --> 00:12:58,000 {\an8}with a squash blossom and Parmesan sauce. 332 00:12:58,066 --> 00:12:59,800 [Ted] How do you feel about risk-taking? 333 00:12:59,867 --> 00:13:03,100 Generally, I love risk-taking. 334 00:13:03,166 --> 00:13:05,100 It's something I've done most of my life. 335 00:13:05,166 --> 00:13:06,867 Well, given what you've served us, 336 00:13:08,467 --> 00:13:10,467 {\an8}I think you should be happy with yourself. 337 00:13:10,467 --> 00:13:14,200 To go ahead and use the Cornish hen as the star of the plate, 338 00:13:14,266 --> 00:13:16,166 I think, is a very smart move. 339 00:13:16,166 --> 00:13:19,867 My Cornish hen does need a little bit more seasoning. 340 00:13:19,867 --> 00:13:23,100 But the skin is crispy. It's beautiful. 341 00:13:23,166 --> 00:13:24,467 [Kirsten] Thank you so much. 342 00:13:24,467 --> 00:13:26,066 [Tiffani] Chef Kirsten, it's almost like 343 00:13:26,066 --> 00:13:27,700 you've created, like, a beef fat vinaigrette 344 00:13:27,767 --> 00:13:29,133 and it's delicious. 345 00:13:29,166 --> 00:13:33,066 I think the squash blossom and Parmesan sauce is kind of wanting, 346 00:13:33,066 --> 00:13:35,600 {\an8}but when it links up with that beef fat vinaigrette, 347 00:13:35,667 --> 00:13:37,266 it's really, really good. 348 00:13:37,266 --> 00:13:39,500 But the Cornish game hen needs more seasoning. 349 00:13:39,567 --> 00:13:40,834 Thank you. 350 00:13:40,834 --> 00:13:42,967 My Cornish game hen was actually seasoned really well. 351 00:13:42,967 --> 00:13:44,166 -Was it? -Yeah. 352 00:13:44,166 --> 00:13:46,066 But the arugula here is not really serving a purpose. 353 00:13:46,066 --> 00:13:48,266 {\an8}I think you could've used those beautiful squash blossoms, 354 00:13:48,266 --> 00:13:50,567 {\an8}let that be the fresh element on your plate. 355 00:13:50,567 --> 00:13:52,066 Thank you. 356 00:13:52,066 --> 00:13:54,066 Thank you, Chef Kirsten. Next, Chef Terri. 357 00:13:54,066 --> 00:13:56,667 I gambled the pork blood 358 00:13:56,667 --> 00:14:00,100 and received bone marrow. 359 00:14:01,567 --> 00:14:05,367 {\an8}That's long-bone steak and bone marrow crostini 360 00:14:05,367 --> 00:14:08,767 {\an8}topped with the squash blossom and frisee salad. 361 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:12,100 [Maneet] Where do you work now, Terri? 362 00:14:12,166 --> 00:14:13,767 [Terri] I currently have a food truck now 363 00:14:13,767 --> 00:14:16,900 and I would like to transition from the food truck 364 00:14:16,967 --> 00:14:18,667 to a small restaurant. 365 00:14:18,667 --> 00:14:20,333 Small restaurant. Okay. 366 00:14:20,367 --> 00:14:22,700 [Chris] I think you had some really good instincts here. It's a pleasant bite. 367 00:14:22,767 --> 00:14:25,200 I'm just struggling to find the basket a little bit. 368 00:14:25,266 --> 00:14:26,867 We gave you all these squash blossoms 369 00:14:26,867 --> 00:14:28,266 and we gave you this long-bone steak 370 00:14:28,266 --> 00:14:29,867 and I just wish we had more of it. 371 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,166 [Maneet] I mean, I agree. 372 00:14:32,166 --> 00:14:35,700 But I love that you actually seared 373 00:14:35,767 --> 00:14:38,567 the long-bone steak in the bone marrow. 374 00:14:38,567 --> 00:14:41,166 It gives such a wonderful flavor to it 375 00:14:41,166 --> 00:14:43,500 and that really paid off. 376 00:14:43,567 --> 00:14:46,000 My steak is really, really overcooked. 377 00:14:46,066 --> 00:14:47,367 [Terri] Okay. 378 00:14:47,367 --> 00:14:50,200 [Tiffani] Everything in terms of the basket ingredients, 379 00:14:50,266 --> 00:14:52,100 aside from the steak, is a whisper. 380 00:14:52,166 --> 00:14:54,867 And we need it to be a shout, right? So... 381 00:14:54,867 --> 00:14:56,667 The idea is perfect. 382 00:14:56,667 --> 00:14:57,700 Heard. 383 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:00,100 Thank you, Chef Terri. 384 00:15:00,166 --> 00:15:02,300 Next, Chef Alex. 385 00:15:02,367 --> 00:15:04,800 {\an8}Judges, I made for you a seared long-bone steak 386 00:15:04,867 --> 00:15:08,467 {\an8}with a lollipop tempura squash blossom 387 00:15:08,467 --> 00:15:10,000 and heirloom tomato gazpacho. 388 00:15:11,667 --> 00:15:14,400 [Chris] Start with the good. I think you did a really great job 389 00:15:14,467 --> 00:15:16,166 with these heirloom tomatoes that you traded in. 390 00:15:16,166 --> 00:15:17,667 Your steak is really well seasoned. 391 00:15:17,667 --> 00:15:19,867 But I don't think you nailed the temperature on the steak. 392 00:15:19,867 --> 00:15:22,467 There are pieces that you did for sure, 393 00:15:22,467 --> 00:15:24,500 but then there are pieces that you didn't. 394 00:15:24,567 --> 00:15:26,166 And then this tempura blossom. 395 00:15:26,166 --> 00:15:28,000 I love the texture of it. It's nice and crispy. 396 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,767 -But it's just... It's really, really oily. -Okay. 397 00:15:30,767 --> 00:15:33,000 [Chris] If you move on, you've gotta really tighten up your technique. 398 00:15:33,066 --> 00:15:34,767 Yes, sir. 399 00:15:34,767 --> 00:15:37,300 To me, I think the highlight of your dish is the gazpacho. 400 00:15:37,367 --> 00:15:38,567 It's delicious. 401 00:15:38,567 --> 00:15:40,900 It just lightens the entire plate. 402 00:15:40,967 --> 00:15:42,400 [Tiffani] Chef Alex, I would've loved 403 00:15:42,467 --> 00:15:44,000 to have just seen this gazpacho 404 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:46,266 and a squash blossom and tomato salad on top. 405 00:15:46,266 --> 00:15:48,000 -Some herbs. Leave it alone. -For sure. 406 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:49,467 Thank you, Chef Alex. 407 00:15:49,467 --> 00:15:50,867 Finally, Chef Alexandra. 408 00:15:50,867 --> 00:15:51,967 [Alexandra] Chefs, 409 00:15:51,967 --> 00:15:55,166 I made for you a long-bone steak salad 410 00:15:55,166 --> 00:15:58,000 {\an8}with a squash blossom and warm Chinese broccoli 411 00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,867 {\an8}with a nuoc cham-inspired diced lollipop vinaigrette. 412 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,567 [Maneet] Your gamble to give up the pig's blood 413 00:16:10,166 --> 00:16:11,500 really paid off. 414 00:16:11,567 --> 00:16:14,767 What I love about what you've done with the Chinese broccoli 415 00:16:14,767 --> 00:16:17,000 is they're not overly wilted. 416 00:16:17,066 --> 00:16:19,166 They still have that little bit of a bite to it. 417 00:16:19,166 --> 00:16:21,800 But just... The star of the dish... 418 00:16:21,867 --> 00:16:23,800 -The steak. It's dry... -Oh. Uh-oh. 419 00:16:23,867 --> 00:16:25,567 [Maneet] ...even though it looks medium-rare 420 00:16:25,567 --> 00:16:27,200 because you didn't let it rest. 421 00:16:27,266 --> 00:16:28,667 So as soon as you cut, 422 00:16:28,667 --> 00:16:30,767 all the juices, they drained out. 423 00:16:30,767 --> 00:16:32,033 [Tiffani] Agreed. 424 00:16:32,033 --> 00:16:34,266 But the Chinese broccoli is really nicely dealt with. 425 00:16:34,266 --> 00:16:36,667 The idea of the nuoc cham, I think, is great. 426 00:16:36,667 --> 00:16:39,100 But this is a "not cham". 427 00:16:39,100 --> 00:16:41,300 Like, I think you need more fish sauce, 428 00:16:41,367 --> 00:16:43,400 -more lime juice. Like, lean into that. -[Alexandra] Okay. Heard. 429 00:16:44,100 --> 00:16:45,400 But it's a good dish. 430 00:16:45,467 --> 00:16:47,000 [Chris] You know, the Chinese broccoli 431 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:48,767 is something you're obviously familiar with. 432 00:16:48,767 --> 00:16:50,467 It's deliciously prepared here. 433 00:16:50,467 --> 00:16:52,600 But the squash blossoms are completely decimated. 434 00:16:53,467 --> 00:16:54,600 They're sad. 435 00:16:55,567 --> 00:16:56,900 This is a high-stakes tournament 436 00:16:56,967 --> 00:16:59,367 where you can win more than $25,000, 437 00:16:59,367 --> 00:17:02,900 -and so you have to really examine every little thing. -Right. 438 00:17:02,967 --> 00:17:04,767 -We wanna be wowed, right? -[Alexandra] Okay. Heard. 439 00:17:04,767 --> 00:17:06,000 Heard that. 440 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,166 [Ted] Chef Alexandra, thank you. 441 00:17:08,166 --> 00:17:09,767 I think I could be on that chopping block 442 00:17:09,767 --> 00:17:11,567 because... Kinda rough cut on the steak. 443 00:17:11,567 --> 00:17:12,900 Didn't clean it up a whole lot. 444 00:17:12,967 --> 00:17:15,100 I just kinda went really, really rustic. 445 00:17:15,100 --> 00:17:17,367 [Alexandra] I feel like the risk I took this round paid off for me 446 00:17:17,367 --> 00:17:20,000 because they really liked my Chinese broccoli preparation. 447 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:22,266 Unfortunately, I wish I would've rested my steak more. 448 00:17:32,567 --> 00:17:35,867 So, whose dish is on the chopping block? 449 00:17:44,867 --> 00:17:47,500 Chef Terri, you've been chopped. 450 00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:48,567 Judges... 451 00:17:49,500 --> 00:17:51,567 {\an8}Chef Terri, the flavor that you got 452 00:17:51,567 --> 00:17:54,567 {\an8}of the bone marrow on the steak was great. 453 00:17:54,567 --> 00:17:57,567 But the long-bone steak was overcooked 454 00:17:57,567 --> 00:18:01,066 and the squash blossoms got completely lost. 455 00:18:01,066 --> 00:18:03,000 So we had to chop you. 456 00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:05,100 All right. 457 00:18:06,934 --> 00:18:08,600 You're welcome. 458 00:18:08,667 --> 00:18:11,600 {\an8}In hindsight, I think I would've kept the pork blood 459 00:18:11,667 --> 00:18:14,467 and gotten rid of the long-bone steak. 460 00:18:15,100 --> 00:18:16,100 Would be easier. 461 00:18:18,166 --> 00:18:21,867 Chef Alexandra, Chef Alex, Chef Kirsten, 462 00:18:21,934 --> 00:18:23,166 second basket. 463 00:18:23,834 --> 00:18:24,834 Come on. 464 00:18:26,567 --> 00:18:27,767 Check it out. 465 00:18:28,767 --> 00:18:30,066 -Oh, boy. -[Alexandra] Oh! 466 00:18:30,066 --> 00:18:31,767 -[Ted] You've got chitlins... -Hmm. 467 00:18:32,834 --> 00:18:35,200 [Alex] Chitlins is pig intestine. 468 00:18:35,266 --> 00:18:37,100 This is one thing I absolutely hate. 469 00:18:39,100 --> 00:18:41,166 -[Ted] ...fava beans... -Favas. 470 00:18:41,166 --> 00:18:42,367 Favas. 471 00:18:42,367 --> 00:18:44,100 [Kirsten sings] Favas. 472 00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:46,066 [Ted] ...a cotton candy burrito... 473 00:18:46,066 --> 00:18:49,200 Um, this is American. I don't know what that is. 474 00:18:49,266 --> 00:18:51,467 [Alexandra] Cotton candy burrito. 475 00:18:51,467 --> 00:18:52,634 Yum. 476 00:18:52,634 --> 00:18:54,767 {\an8}I've never seen anything like it in my whole life. 477 00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:56,667 {\an8}But still better than chitlins. 478 00:18:56,734 --> 00:18:58,367 [Ted] ...and rack of lamb. 479 00:18:58,367 --> 00:18:59,400 Rack of lamb. 480 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,767 I'd like to get rid of the cotton candy burrito. 481 00:19:02,767 --> 00:19:05,834 [Alexandra] I'm going for chitlins just because I don't want a double protein. 482 00:19:05,834 --> 00:19:08,100 I'm gonna get rid of the chitlins. 483 00:19:08,100 --> 00:19:10,400 Once again, let's roll for some new ingredients. 484 00:19:10,467 --> 00:19:12,500 -[Alex] All right. -[Alexandra] Let's do this! Let's go. 485 00:19:12,567 --> 00:19:14,266 -Here we are again. -[cheering] 486 00:19:14,266 --> 00:19:16,667 {\an8}How will the roulette table treat you this time, 487 00:19:16,734 --> 00:19:17,934 {\an8}Chef Alexandra? 488 00:19:17,934 --> 00:19:19,567 I'm going red again. 489 00:19:19,567 --> 00:19:20,767 [Tiffani] Okay! 490 00:19:20,767 --> 00:19:22,266 -All right. -[Alexandra] Let's do this. 491 00:19:22,266 --> 00:19:24,266 -[Ted] Spin that wheel. -Okay! 492 00:19:24,266 --> 00:19:25,700 [Alexandra] Red! 493 00:19:25,700 --> 00:19:27,467 -[Kirsten] We want red. Let's go. Let's go. -Red. Red. Come on. 494 00:19:27,467 --> 00:19:29,367 [Chris] Red, red, red, red, red, red! 495 00:19:30,367 --> 00:19:31,567 [all exclaiming] 496 00:19:33,100 --> 00:19:34,533 You lost your bet 497 00:19:34,567 --> 00:19:37,400 and you have to choose from our collection of unlucky ingredients. 498 00:19:37,467 --> 00:19:39,100 Let's go number nine. 499 00:19:40,266 --> 00:19:42,166 -[Ted] Circus peanuts. -Oh. 500 00:19:42,166 --> 00:19:43,467 {\an8}[Alexandra] Could be worse. 501 00:19:43,467 --> 00:19:44,767 {\an8}[Chris] I really hate those. 502 00:19:44,834 --> 00:19:46,266 {\an8}[Alexandra] Lot of sugar. 503 00:19:46,266 --> 00:19:47,667 {\an8}If you can make me like those... 504 00:19:48,467 --> 00:19:50,266 I just want you to not hate 'em. 505 00:19:50,266 --> 00:19:51,367 Okay. Fair. 506 00:19:51,367 --> 00:19:52,934 And next up is Chef Kirsten. 507 00:19:52,934 --> 00:19:55,166 -I'm gonna go red. -[Ted] Okay. 508 00:19:55,166 --> 00:19:57,667 -[Kirsten] Whoo! -[Tiffani] Okay. Go, go, go! 509 00:19:57,734 --> 00:19:59,767 -[Chris] Go! -[Maneet] Red, red, red, red! 510 00:19:59,834 --> 00:20:01,934 -Come on. Let's go. -We need good ingredients. 511 00:20:01,934 --> 00:20:03,100 [Kirsten] It's... 512 00:20:03,166 --> 00:20:04,467 [all exclaiming] 513 00:20:05,266 --> 00:20:06,834 All righty. Seven. 514 00:20:08,734 --> 00:20:11,000 [Ted] Chocolate-covered onions. 515 00:20:11,066 --> 00:20:13,400 {\an8}-[Kirsten] Okay. -[Maneet] This is a very challenging ingredient. 516 00:20:13,467 --> 00:20:15,767 The sweetness of the chocolate 517 00:20:15,834 --> 00:20:17,166 and the sprinkles right on top... 518 00:20:17,166 --> 00:20:18,667 I'm up for the challenge. 519 00:20:18,734 --> 00:20:21,266 All right, Chef Alex, it's down to you. 520 00:20:21,266 --> 00:20:23,567 Always and always bet on black. 521 00:20:23,567 --> 00:20:25,367 -Black it is. -[Tiffani] All right. There it is. 522 00:20:25,367 --> 00:20:26,967 -Have fun. -[Maneet] Let's do this. 523 00:20:26,967 --> 00:20:28,367 [Chris] Good roll, Ted. Good roll. 524 00:20:28,367 --> 00:20:30,400 -Thank you, sir. -Bring it back to black. 525 00:20:30,467 --> 00:20:33,100 -[Alex] Suspenseful roll here. -[Chris] Here it comes and black it is! 526 00:20:33,166 --> 00:20:34,400 [Tiffani] You won! Yes! 527 00:20:34,467 --> 00:20:36,767 -[Maneet] Okay! -I feel horrible about this. 528 00:20:36,834 --> 00:20:38,400 You do. I can tell. 529 00:20:38,467 --> 00:20:40,300 [Alex] Let's go with number four again. 530 00:20:40,367 --> 00:20:42,767 -Okay. -[Ted] Number four. All right. 531 00:20:42,767 --> 00:20:45,600 {\an8}-Hen of the woods mushrooms! -[Kirsten] Oh, that's cool. That's cool. 532 00:20:45,667 --> 00:20:47,567 {\an8}[Tiffani] It's about as good as it gets. 533 00:20:47,567 --> 00:20:49,934 These are easy to work with. Super earthy. 534 00:20:49,934 --> 00:20:51,100 30 minutes on the clock. 535 00:20:52,166 --> 00:20:53,367 Entree round starts now. 536 00:20:53,367 --> 00:20:56,367 -All right. Here we go! -Good luck. 537 00:20:56,367 --> 00:20:58,000 {\an8}[Maneet] First round, everybody was lucky, 538 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,200 {\an8}and this time, only one person. 539 00:21:00,266 --> 00:21:01,867 {\an8}[Tiffani] The house always turns. 540 00:21:01,867 --> 00:21:03,567 [Alexandra] After seeing the circus peanuts... 541 00:21:03,567 --> 00:21:06,567 I guess my gambling didn't work to my advantage. 542 00:21:06,567 --> 00:21:08,066 But it could've been chitlins. 543 00:21:08,066 --> 00:21:09,734 So, I'm thinking I wanna make a dish 544 00:21:09,734 --> 00:21:11,567 that can stand up to all that sugar. 545 00:21:11,567 --> 00:21:13,467 One person's definition of lucky 546 00:21:13,467 --> 00:21:15,367 is not the same as the next. 547 00:21:15,367 --> 00:21:16,867 -[Tiffani] Ah-ha! -[Chris] Oh, boy. 548 00:21:16,867 --> 00:21:18,567 I'm enjoying a circus peanut 549 00:21:18,567 --> 00:21:21,100 {\an8}which I think are delicious, for some weird reason. 550 00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:22,834 {\an8}[Chris] It tastes like imitation banana 551 00:21:22,834 --> 00:21:25,367 {\an8}and, for some odd reason, it's shaped not like a banana 552 00:21:25,367 --> 00:21:26,667 {\an8}but like a peanut. 553 00:21:26,667 --> 00:21:28,066 Opa! Hey! 554 00:21:28,066 --> 00:21:30,500 I'm making a carnival curry 555 00:21:30,567 --> 00:21:33,867 with lamb chops and a fava bean rice. 556 00:21:33,934 --> 00:21:36,667 Alex is the only one that kept the chitlins. 557 00:21:36,667 --> 00:21:38,200 [laughing] 558 00:21:38,266 --> 00:21:39,567 [Kirsten] Does it stink, Chef? 559 00:21:39,567 --> 00:21:41,867 No. It smells great, Chef. Thank you for asking. 560 00:21:41,867 --> 00:21:45,200 {\an8}Chitlins. Treated properly, it is absolutely delicious. 561 00:21:45,266 --> 00:21:47,166 The hack for chitlins is frying them. 562 00:21:47,166 --> 00:21:50,567 [Maneet] Rack of lamb is such a beautiful cut of meat. 563 00:21:50,567 --> 00:21:52,166 [Ted] Often chosen for celebration. 564 00:21:52,166 --> 00:21:54,000 Medium-rare. Succulent. 565 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,300 Delicious when done right. 566 00:21:56,367 --> 00:21:58,834 [Alex] I'm making rack of lamb with roasted hen of the woods, 567 00:21:58,834 --> 00:22:01,600 chitlins and a spring fava puree. 568 00:22:01,667 --> 00:22:04,467 Lot of people around here not to be getting any help peeling these fava beans. 569 00:22:04,467 --> 00:22:06,266 -Is anyone else getting that vibe? -[laughing] 570 00:22:06,266 --> 00:22:07,800 Word, Chef. 571 00:22:09,266 --> 00:22:13,100 {\an8}[Kirsten] So, I gambled and I got chocolate-covered onions. 572 00:22:14,367 --> 00:22:16,400 I'm making a seared rack of lamb 573 00:22:16,467 --> 00:22:17,934 with fava concasse, 574 00:22:17,934 --> 00:22:20,467 broken-down blistered tomatoes and a tzatziki. 575 00:22:21,467 --> 00:22:23,066 I love the chocolate-covered onion. 576 00:22:23,066 --> 00:22:25,400 It's gonna go into the jus for the lamb. 577 00:22:28,266 --> 00:22:30,467 [Maneet] Not only do you have to take the fava beans 578 00:22:30,467 --> 00:22:32,266 out from the entire pods... 579 00:22:32,266 --> 00:22:33,867 You cleaned your favas yet? 580 00:22:34,767 --> 00:22:36,166 -Yesterday, bro. -[Alex laughing] 581 00:22:36,166 --> 00:22:37,667 [Maneet] ...you've gotta blanche it 582 00:22:37,667 --> 00:22:40,934 and then remove the covering. 583 00:22:40,934 --> 00:22:44,400 [Alex] With these fava beans, I'm gonna make a vibrant green puree 584 00:22:44,467 --> 00:22:47,667 using a lot of refreshing herbs and lime juice. 585 00:22:49,467 --> 00:22:51,300 Six and a half minutes. 586 00:22:53,934 --> 00:22:57,567 Alex's lamb is charred, like black-charred. 587 00:22:57,567 --> 00:22:59,367 [Alex] I notice that the spice rub on the lamb... 588 00:22:59,367 --> 00:23:00,934 That it's getting really charred. 589 00:23:00,934 --> 00:23:03,400 {\an8}I'm hoping that these burnt spices won't penetrate the meat. 590 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,300 {\an8}Once the mushrooms are grilled, I toss 'em with the chitlins 591 00:23:07,367 --> 00:23:09,000 {\an8}and get 'em in the oven to finish cooking. 592 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:11,867 Behind. Behind. 593 00:23:15,767 --> 00:23:17,467 [Kirsten] Once the fava beans are ready to go, 594 00:23:17,467 --> 00:23:19,667 I throw it into a bowl 595 00:23:19,734 --> 00:23:21,467 with all of my other salad ingredients. 596 00:23:21,467 --> 00:23:23,100 [Tiffani] We have a cotton candy burrito. 597 00:23:23,166 --> 00:23:26,000 {\an8}It's unrelenting sugar, so you're gonna have to dose it into something. 598 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:28,166 {\an8}Cotton candy will go into the gastrique. 599 00:23:28,166 --> 00:23:31,166 [Maneet] There's so many different colors in it, right? 600 00:23:31,166 --> 00:23:33,367 So if you go ahead and melt it, 601 00:23:33,367 --> 00:23:37,300 the resulting color's going to be completely mishmashed. 602 00:23:37,367 --> 00:23:39,867 To me, $25,000 is a whole lot of money. 603 00:23:39,934 --> 00:23:41,467 [exhales] 604 00:23:41,467 --> 00:23:43,834 If I won the money, I would love to take a trip to Greece, 605 00:23:43,834 --> 00:23:46,367 go back to where my dad's family is from 606 00:23:46,367 --> 00:23:49,100 and just have a better understanding of who I am as a person. 607 00:23:51,867 --> 00:23:53,100 Two minutes left, chefs. 608 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:55,367 Come on! 609 00:23:55,367 --> 00:23:57,100 [Tiffani] Everything on the... There you go. 610 00:23:57,100 --> 00:23:58,266 Thank you. 611 00:23:58,266 --> 00:24:00,266 [Ted] Kirsten does still have a rack of lamb to cut. 612 00:24:00,266 --> 00:24:04,266 [Kirsten] I slice into it and I realize it's under. 613 00:24:04,266 --> 00:24:06,367 At this point, I just have to put it on the plate. 614 00:24:06,367 --> 00:24:08,867 [Ted] One minute to go, chefs. 615 00:24:08,867 --> 00:24:12,000 [Alex] As I cut into the lamb, it looks a little underdone. 616 00:24:12,066 --> 00:24:14,767 I'm feeling like I hope these judges like medium-rare lamb. 617 00:24:14,767 --> 00:24:16,100 [Ted] 30 seconds, chefs. 618 00:24:16,166 --> 00:24:18,467 You've got to make your own luck in this kitchen. 619 00:24:21,000 --> 00:24:23,500 [Ted] 10, nine, eight... 620 00:24:23,567 --> 00:24:25,367 -Here we go. -[Ted] ...seven... 621 00:24:25,367 --> 00:24:27,600 -[Alexandra] Herbs! -[Ted] ...six, five, 622 00:24:27,667 --> 00:24:31,266 four, three, two, one. 623 00:24:31,266 --> 00:24:32,767 Times up! 624 00:24:32,834 --> 00:24:33,867 [clapping] 625 00:24:37,367 --> 00:24:39,266 [Kirsten] I feel like I should've been 626 00:24:39,266 --> 00:24:41,200 less conservative on my cook time. 627 00:24:41,266 --> 00:24:44,934 I wanted it to be just right and I was just under. 628 00:24:44,934 --> 00:24:47,967 [Alexandra] I 100% feel like I took a risk with this dish, 629 00:24:47,967 --> 00:24:49,567 but that's why we're here at Chopped. 630 00:24:49,567 --> 00:24:51,100 Chopped isn't about playing it safe. 631 00:24:57,000 --> 00:24:59,667 {\an8}Chefs, with the buzz in the casino amping up, 632 00:24:59,734 --> 00:25:01,967 {\an8}we gave you an entree basket of chitlins, 633 00:25:02,867 --> 00:25:03,867 fava beans, 634 00:25:04,567 --> 00:25:06,367 a cotton candy burrito 635 00:25:06,367 --> 00:25:08,200 and rack of lamb. 636 00:25:08,266 --> 00:25:10,600 Chef Alexandra, please tell the judges what you made. 637 00:25:10,667 --> 00:25:12,467 I made a carnival curry 638 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:14,667 {\an8}with a lamb chop 639 00:25:14,734 --> 00:25:16,834 {\an8}and fava jasmine rice. 640 00:25:18,467 --> 00:25:21,367 {\an8}In place of the chitlins, I received a circus peanut. 641 00:25:22,867 --> 00:25:25,667 Alexandra, when you said it's a carnival curry, 642 00:25:25,734 --> 00:25:26,967 it actually makes sense. 643 00:25:28,567 --> 00:25:29,867 This is delicious. 644 00:25:29,867 --> 00:25:31,367 Wow. Thank you. 645 00:25:31,367 --> 00:25:34,934 [Maneet] It's the perfect foundation to add the sweetness. 646 00:25:34,934 --> 00:25:38,266 {\an8}The lamb rack. It's been seared very well, 647 00:25:38,266 --> 00:25:40,200 but it needed to be cooked a little bit more. 648 00:25:40,266 --> 00:25:41,967 -Heard. -[Maneet] Mine is completely raw. 649 00:25:41,967 --> 00:25:43,000 Uh-oh. 650 00:25:44,066 --> 00:25:46,300 This curry is just dynamite. 651 00:25:46,367 --> 00:25:48,166 -I love it. -[Alexandra] That's... Thank you so much. 652 00:25:48,166 --> 00:25:49,667 [Chris] I just want more of the lamb. 653 00:25:49,734 --> 00:25:52,266 I had about that much meat. Everything else I have is fat 654 00:25:52,266 --> 00:25:53,967 -and it's unrendered fat. -[Alexandra] Yeah. 655 00:25:53,967 --> 00:25:56,100 {\an8}But the curry... [whistles] Amazing. 656 00:25:56,166 --> 00:25:57,367 {\an8}[Alexandra] Thank you. 657 00:25:57,367 --> 00:25:59,500 {\an8}The fried shallots on top. Really lovely choice 658 00:25:59,567 --> 00:26:01,166 as well as the cilantro. 659 00:26:02,100 --> 00:26:04,166 My dish is wanting for more fava beans. 660 00:26:04,166 --> 00:26:07,367 Instead of tucking them into all of this rice, just on top. 661 00:26:07,367 --> 00:26:08,767 [Ted] Thank you, Chef Alexandra. 662 00:26:08,767 --> 00:26:11,166 Next up, Chef Alex. 663 00:26:11,166 --> 00:26:13,667 Tell us about your gambling habits in that round. 664 00:26:13,734 --> 00:26:15,834 [Alex] I got out of there with some beautiful mushrooms. 665 00:26:15,834 --> 00:26:17,300 [Ted] And what did you get rid of? 666 00:26:17,367 --> 00:26:19,967 [Alex] I got rid of the cotton candy burrito. 667 00:26:19,967 --> 00:26:21,767 {\an8}I got a grilled rack of lamb, 668 00:26:21,834 --> 00:26:23,266 {\an8}some of those roasted mushrooms, 669 00:26:23,266 --> 00:26:27,266 {\an8}and then I blanched the chitlins in a ton of spices 670 00:26:27,266 --> 00:26:29,967 {\an8}just to kinda break through that funkiness. 671 00:26:31,066 --> 00:26:33,300 [Maneet] Alex, the hen of the woods. 672 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:36,033 That's absolutely delicious. 673 00:26:36,033 --> 00:26:37,266 Usually, chitlins... 674 00:26:37,266 --> 00:26:38,567 It has the ability to take over 675 00:26:38,567 --> 00:26:40,667 the entire flavor profile of the dish. 676 00:26:40,667 --> 00:26:42,600 And this is just enough. 677 00:26:42,667 --> 00:26:44,400 The big problem on the plate is 678 00:26:44,467 --> 00:26:48,266 the only taste that I'm getting from the lamb is burnt. 679 00:26:49,867 --> 00:26:52,300 [Chris] It's so scorched here 680 00:26:52,367 --> 00:26:54,066 and it's so raw here. 681 00:26:54,066 --> 00:26:56,834 This is a competition for $25,000, you know? 682 00:26:56,834 --> 00:26:58,500 We need to see a little finesse. 683 00:26:58,567 --> 00:27:01,467 I think the highlight of this dish is definitely this fava puree 684 00:27:01,467 --> 00:27:04,066 which is really, really, really bright and fresh. 685 00:27:04,066 --> 00:27:06,166 Yeah. It's so bright and lovely 686 00:27:06,166 --> 00:27:07,767 which, I think, works really well. 687 00:27:07,767 --> 00:27:08,867 [Alex] Thank you. 688 00:27:08,934 --> 00:27:10,033 Thank you, Chef Alex. 689 00:27:10,033 --> 00:27:11,500 Finally, Chef Kirsten. 690 00:27:11,567 --> 00:27:14,567 I took a bet and I got rid of the chitlins 691 00:27:14,567 --> 00:27:18,100 and that was replaced by chocolate-covered onions. 692 00:27:18,967 --> 00:27:21,667 So, I made seared rack of lamb, 693 00:27:21,734 --> 00:27:23,934 {\an8}fava and green pea concasse, 694 00:27:23,934 --> 00:27:25,467 {\an8}broken-down blistered tomatoes, 695 00:27:25,467 --> 00:27:29,667 {\an8}tzatziki and a chocolate lamb reduction. 696 00:27:29,667 --> 00:27:31,834 [Ted] And prize money. Any thoughts what you might do with it? 697 00:27:31,834 --> 00:27:34,166 [Kirsten] I've been to a lot of places, but I've never been to Japan. 698 00:27:34,166 --> 00:27:35,400 And I wanna take my wife 699 00:27:35,467 --> 00:27:40,834 and just do a Japanese food extravaganza. 700 00:27:40,834 --> 00:27:43,567 Chef Kirsten, are there any basket ingredients in the tzatziki? 701 00:27:43,567 --> 00:27:44,734 [Kirsten] No. 702 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:47,066 [Tiffani] It's spectacular. 703 00:27:47,066 --> 00:27:49,367 I wonder if that would've been more successful 704 00:27:49,367 --> 00:27:52,667 using the favas in the tzatziki instead of the cucumber. 705 00:27:52,667 --> 00:27:54,567 The lamb sauce. 706 00:27:54,567 --> 00:27:57,300 You know, hats off to you by using the chocolate and the onions. 707 00:27:57,367 --> 00:28:00,266 Really, the issue is the cookery on the lamb. 708 00:28:00,266 --> 00:28:03,100 This is very rare and I do apologize. 709 00:28:03,166 --> 00:28:05,567 No one cooked the lamb particularly Wellgames here. 710 00:28:05,567 --> 00:28:07,767 [laughing] 711 00:28:07,767 --> 00:28:10,100 [Chris] You know, what you made here is fairly simple, 712 00:28:10,100 --> 00:28:12,266 but yet it's got sophistication as well. 713 00:28:12,266 --> 00:28:13,667 It's got real thoughtfulness. 714 00:28:13,667 --> 00:28:15,500 There's a lot of deliciousness going on over here, 715 00:28:16,166 --> 00:28:17,934 but, to me, 716 00:28:17,934 --> 00:28:21,667 I am not getting much of the cotton candy burrito. 717 00:28:21,667 --> 00:28:25,467 Because what this dish needs is a little bit more of the sweetness. 718 00:28:25,467 --> 00:28:27,100 Okay. 719 00:28:27,100 --> 00:28:30,200 Okay, to make it to the Casino Royale finale, 720 00:28:30,266 --> 00:28:32,767 you first have to make it to the dessert round. 721 00:28:32,767 --> 00:28:34,600 Who will get that opportunity? 722 00:28:36,934 --> 00:28:38,300 It was a rhetorical question. 723 00:28:38,367 --> 00:28:39,734 From the judges' feedback, 724 00:28:39,734 --> 00:28:41,567 I feel like I'm moving onto the next round 725 00:28:41,567 --> 00:28:44,000 based upon the success with my curry. 726 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:46,033 [Alex] I went undercooked on the lamb. 727 00:28:46,033 --> 00:28:49,367 I couldn't bring myself to break it down into a couple pieces. 728 00:28:49,367 --> 00:28:51,300 I think that may cost me. 729 00:28:57,100 --> 00:29:00,400 {\an8}So, whose dish is on the chopping block? 730 00:29:09,133 --> 00:29:11,367 Chef Alex, you've been chopped. 731 00:29:11,367 --> 00:29:12,467 Judges... 732 00:29:12,467 --> 00:29:13,967 [Chris] Chef Alex... 733 00:29:13,967 --> 00:29:16,166 {\an8}All three chefs, by the way, failed completely on the lamb, 734 00:29:16,166 --> 00:29:19,867 but yours was both raw and scorched and burned on the outside. 735 00:29:19,934 --> 00:29:21,567 And so we had to chop you. 736 00:29:21,567 --> 00:29:23,133 Cool. Thanks, guys. 737 00:29:25,266 --> 00:29:27,166 -Thanks for coming here. -[Alex] It's been a pleasure. 738 00:29:28,300 --> 00:29:30,567 I wasn't surprised by the judges' decision. 739 00:29:30,567 --> 00:29:33,600 {\an8}I undercooked the protein and that cost me in the long run. 740 00:29:35,500 --> 00:29:37,834 We have two people on, like, really similar levels. 741 00:29:37,834 --> 00:29:39,166 It's a match of two titans. 742 00:29:39,166 --> 00:29:41,467 Chef Alexandra, Chef Kirsten, 743 00:29:41,467 --> 00:29:43,266 baskets are set. 744 00:29:44,767 --> 00:29:45,967 Open 'em up. 745 00:29:46,967 --> 00:29:48,467 [Kirsten] All right. All right. 746 00:29:48,467 --> 00:29:51,000 [Ted] And your ingredients are garlic juice... 747 00:29:51,000 --> 00:29:53,834 -Oh, good Lord. All right. Garlic juice. -[Alexandra] Garlic juice. 748 00:29:53,834 --> 00:29:56,200 -[Ted] ...oranges... -Oranges. 749 00:29:56,266 --> 00:29:59,266 Oranges remind me of making baklava with my mom. 750 00:29:59,266 --> 00:30:00,967 Okay, here we go again. 751 00:30:00,967 --> 00:30:02,834 [Ted] ...blue cheese-stuffed olives... 752 00:30:02,834 --> 00:30:05,400 [Kirsten] Blue cheese-stuffed olives. All righty. 753 00:30:05,467 --> 00:30:08,367 [Ted] ...and a 24-layer chocolate cake. 754 00:30:08,367 --> 00:30:10,266 [Alexandra] Well, it looks like dessert's made already. 755 00:30:10,266 --> 00:30:11,567 Just kidding. 756 00:30:11,567 --> 00:30:13,467 Something is definitely gonna go 757 00:30:13,467 --> 00:30:14,934 and it's gonna be the garlic juice. 758 00:30:14,934 --> 00:30:16,367 Gotta ditch the garlic juice. 759 00:30:16,367 --> 00:30:18,000 To the roulette wheel! 760 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:19,767 -Let's go. -Let's see. Let's do this. 761 00:30:19,834 --> 00:30:21,166 [Ted] Okay, let's do this thing! 762 00:30:21,166 --> 00:30:22,867 -All right, let's do this. -[Chris] All right! 763 00:30:22,934 --> 00:30:24,367 Yeah! Let's do it. 764 00:30:24,367 --> 00:30:27,300 As a reward for being the two chefs still here, 765 00:30:27,367 --> 00:30:30,133 if you don't win your bet at the roulette wheel, 766 00:30:30,133 --> 00:30:32,767 we're gonna give you a chance to double-down 767 00:30:32,767 --> 00:30:34,934 -at the slots. -[Kirsten] All right! 768 00:30:34,934 --> 00:30:36,467 -[Alexandra] Oh! -[Kirsten] Okay. 769 00:30:36,467 --> 00:30:38,100 -[Ted] Kirsten you're first. -Thank you. 770 00:30:39,667 --> 00:30:40,767 I'm gonna go red. 771 00:30:40,834 --> 00:30:42,500 I have just, like, a sense. 772 00:30:42,567 --> 00:30:44,166 -[Maneet] "Sense." -[Tiffani] Okay. 773 00:30:44,166 --> 00:30:46,033 -[Ted] Looking for red. -[Chris] Okay, here we go. 774 00:30:46,033 --> 00:30:48,867 -[Tiffani] Come on, red. Go, go, go! -Please, please, please! 775 00:30:48,934 --> 00:30:50,667 -[Chris] Come on, red. -[Tiffani] Come on. 776 00:30:50,667 --> 00:30:52,767 Please, please, please, please, please. 777 00:30:52,834 --> 00:30:54,133 -[Ted] And red! -[all cheering] 778 00:30:54,133 --> 00:30:55,166 [Kirsten] Yes! 779 00:30:55,166 --> 00:30:57,000 -Yes! -Yes! So good for us. 780 00:30:57,000 --> 00:30:58,200 I mean you. 781 00:30:58,834 --> 00:30:59,967 I'll take number five. 782 00:30:59,967 --> 00:31:01,166 [Ted] Number five. 783 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:03,266 Vanilla bean paste! 784 00:31:03,266 --> 00:31:05,467 -All right! Yes! -[Maneet] Wow! 785 00:31:05,467 --> 00:31:07,367 {\an8}[Chris] Pure vanilla bean paste. 786 00:31:07,367 --> 00:31:08,867 Basically, the building block 787 00:31:08,867 --> 00:31:11,600 of every delicious dessert that's ever been made. 788 00:31:11,667 --> 00:31:12,867 [Kirsten] I am on board. 789 00:31:14,100 --> 00:31:16,734 I think I'm gonna bet on black this time. 790 00:31:16,734 --> 00:31:17,867 Voila. 791 00:31:18,667 --> 00:31:19,667 [Chris] Okay. 792 00:31:19,734 --> 00:31:21,166 All right. Looking for black. 793 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:23,500 -Here we go! -Okay, come on! 794 00:31:23,567 --> 00:31:24,967 Black, black, black, black. black. 795 00:31:24,967 --> 00:31:26,667 [Tiffani] Here we go, here we go, here we go. 796 00:31:26,734 --> 00:31:28,033 [Chris] Come on. 797 00:31:28,033 --> 00:31:29,834 -[Alexandra] Oh, my gosh. -[Chris] Here it comes. 798 00:31:29,834 --> 00:31:31,667 Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes. 799 00:31:31,734 --> 00:31:33,166 -Black! -Yes! Yes! 800 00:31:33,166 --> 00:31:34,467 [Chris] All right! Nice! 801 00:31:34,467 --> 00:31:37,266 -Nice! -[Maneet] This is crazy! Wow! 802 00:31:37,266 --> 00:31:39,166 Okay. I think I'm gonna go with number three. 803 00:31:39,166 --> 00:31:40,567 -Okay. -Number three. 804 00:31:41,266 --> 00:31:42,400 Lucky number three. 805 00:31:43,367 --> 00:31:45,266 -Salted caramels. -[Alexandra] Oh! 806 00:31:45,266 --> 00:31:47,066 -[Chris] You can work with that. -[Kirsten] Yeah. 807 00:31:47,066 --> 00:31:49,934 {\an8}[Maneet] That's such a beautiful ingredient. 808 00:31:49,934 --> 00:31:52,367 You have the sweet, the salt. 809 00:31:52,367 --> 00:31:53,700 I mean, everything is good. 810 00:31:53,734 --> 00:31:56,400 {\an8}All right. The judges are expecting desserts in 30 minutes. 811 00:31:56,467 --> 00:31:57,734 Clock starts now. 812 00:31:57,734 --> 00:31:59,266 -Go! -All right. Here we go, chefs. 813 00:32:04,567 --> 00:32:05,867 [Chris] For me, personally, 814 00:32:05,867 --> 00:32:08,367 can't stop thinking about that cotton candy curry 815 00:32:08,367 --> 00:32:09,900 and how much I loved it. 816 00:32:09,900 --> 00:32:12,200 And so I feel like Kirsten's gotta really come big with something here. 817 00:32:12,266 --> 00:32:13,734 [Kirsten] This is a mess. 818 00:32:17,266 --> 00:32:19,066 Chocolate cake. 819 00:32:19,066 --> 00:32:22,166 I'm making a chocolate baklava... 820 00:32:22,767 --> 00:32:24,000 Oh, this is such a travesty. 821 00:32:25,133 --> 00:32:26,467 ...with an orange 822 00:32:26,467 --> 00:32:29,100 and blue cheese-stuffed olive syrup. 823 00:32:29,100 --> 00:32:32,667 {\an8}Making baklava with salted caramel in 30 minutes 824 00:32:32,734 --> 00:32:33,867 {\an8}is definitely a risk. 825 00:32:33,867 --> 00:32:35,367 {\an8}But we're here to gamble, 826 00:32:35,367 --> 00:32:37,367 {\an8}so I'm taking my chances. 827 00:32:37,367 --> 00:32:39,667 {\an8}[Tiffani] You know, it's not just winning the dessert round here. 828 00:32:39,734 --> 00:32:43,600 It's a lot about making it into the finale of a giant tournament. 829 00:32:43,667 --> 00:32:47,667 Kirsten has chosen to grab the chef killer out of the pantry. 830 00:32:47,667 --> 00:32:50,500 It can be sour. It can be overripe. It's assertive. 831 00:32:50,567 --> 00:32:52,500 Terrific on pizza, though. I'm joking. 832 00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:56,100 {\an8}I think that my gamble truly paid off. 833 00:32:56,100 --> 00:32:59,667 {\an8}I mean, garlic juice or vanilla beans. 834 00:32:59,734 --> 00:33:01,867 {\an8}I mean, it's chalk and cheese. 835 00:33:03,367 --> 00:33:05,967 I'm making a layered chocolate and pineapple cake. 836 00:33:05,967 --> 00:33:07,767 Finish with a vanilla whipped cream. 837 00:33:07,834 --> 00:33:09,000 When I'm under pressure, 838 00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:11,767 I actually end up making better food 839 00:33:11,767 --> 00:33:13,667 because you have to make choices. 840 00:33:13,734 --> 00:33:16,033 I decide to do an orange cream filling. 841 00:33:16,033 --> 00:33:17,667 Come on, now. Let's go. 842 00:33:17,734 --> 00:33:19,467 When I came out of culinary school, 843 00:33:19,467 --> 00:33:22,500 I dove straight into a two-Michelin-star restaurant in France 844 00:33:22,567 --> 00:33:25,166 and I got my butt kicked. 845 00:33:25,166 --> 00:33:27,133 But I wanted to be the best 846 00:33:27,133 --> 00:33:29,166 and that was the only way to do it. 847 00:33:29,166 --> 00:33:31,500 -[Ted] 15 minutes to go, chefs. -Quick. 848 00:33:31,567 --> 00:33:33,767 [Chris] Both chefs have got great ingredients. 849 00:33:33,767 --> 00:33:35,600 But they still have blue cheese-stuffed olives. 850 00:33:36,467 --> 00:33:37,634 Ooo, boy. 851 00:33:37,667 --> 00:33:40,367 {\an8}The blue cheese can be mixed with some cream cheese 852 00:33:40,367 --> 00:33:42,500 or some mascarpone, etcetera. 853 00:33:42,567 --> 00:33:46,300 {\an8}[Alexandra] I'm making a syrup because it is traditional with baklava. 854 00:33:46,367 --> 00:33:48,667 I start by melting down the salted caramels. 855 00:33:48,734 --> 00:33:50,367 I add a little bit of honey. 856 00:33:50,367 --> 00:33:52,166 I add orange juice. 857 00:33:52,166 --> 00:33:54,767 And I'm hoping that the blue cheese olives 858 00:33:54,767 --> 00:33:57,266 add a contrast to the sweetness of the syrup 859 00:33:57,266 --> 00:33:59,066 by adding a little bit of salt. 860 00:34:01,667 --> 00:34:04,100 [Ted] Alexandra is really up against it. 861 00:34:04,100 --> 00:34:05,367 There's nothing she can do 862 00:34:05,367 --> 00:34:07,734 but wait for those things to cook. 863 00:34:07,734 --> 00:34:09,834 [Alexandra] I'm watching the clock tick down. 864 00:34:09,834 --> 00:34:11,834 I'm trying not to open my oven too much 865 00:34:11,834 --> 00:34:13,667 'cause I want my baklava to cook. 866 00:34:13,667 --> 00:34:16,400 {\an8}It's the equivalent of, like, having a king showing 867 00:34:16,467 --> 00:34:18,467 {\an8}and then waiting for them to flip the other card over. 868 00:34:18,467 --> 00:34:19,834 It takes forever. 869 00:34:19,834 --> 00:34:21,133 [Alexandra] Oh, yeah, baby. 870 00:34:22,467 --> 00:34:23,600 We're close. So close. 871 00:34:29,166 --> 00:34:31,166 Alexandra is really up against it. 872 00:34:32,266 --> 00:34:33,333 {\an8}Eep! 873 00:34:33,333 --> 00:34:35,867 {\an8}If this baklava doesn't get cooked enough, 874 00:34:35,934 --> 00:34:37,700 it could be ruined. 875 00:34:37,700 --> 00:34:40,467 So, at this point, I figured it was a good time to just relax for a moment. 876 00:34:42,266 --> 00:34:43,934 How does it feel to stand there and wait? 877 00:34:43,934 --> 00:34:46,567 I've got bourbon, so I... Maybe I'll have another shot. 878 00:34:46,567 --> 00:34:49,000 It's been a long day, so that'll help. 879 00:34:49,000 --> 00:34:51,133 {\an8}What's a casino without a cocktail, right? 880 00:34:55,166 --> 00:34:56,467 [Kirsten] Behind you again. 881 00:34:56,467 --> 00:34:58,266 Running all over the place. 882 00:34:58,266 --> 00:35:00,567 {\an8}Chef Alexandra... She's sipping on her bourbon. 883 00:35:00,567 --> 00:35:02,734 {\an8}She's watching me run around like a crazy person. 884 00:35:02,734 --> 00:35:05,834 Alexandra's put all of her chips on this baklava working. 885 00:35:05,834 --> 00:35:08,000 If I got one minute on the clock, I know I can do it. 886 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:10,767 I think this baklava is the biggest gamble I've taken so far. 887 00:35:12,734 --> 00:35:14,000 [Maneet] They're so focused 888 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:16,266 because one of them is going into the finale. 889 00:35:16,266 --> 00:35:18,367 I mean, it's so real right now. 890 00:35:18,367 --> 00:35:20,367 [Alexandra] It's gonna be a sad Christmas without snow. 891 00:35:20,367 --> 00:35:23,066 [Kirsten] Do I use olives and the blue cheese? 892 00:35:23,066 --> 00:35:24,333 It's nerve-racking. 893 00:35:24,333 --> 00:35:27,166 I'm just gonna have to use these olives as a garnish. 894 00:35:27,166 --> 00:35:29,166 [Ted] One minute left of the clock, chefs. 895 00:35:30,967 --> 00:35:33,500 -The choclava is out. -[Maneet] How does it look? How does it look? 896 00:35:33,567 --> 00:35:34,934 [Chris] How does it look? 897 00:35:34,934 --> 00:35:36,767 -It's golden brown. -Looks pretty good! 898 00:35:36,834 --> 00:35:38,567 -[Chris] You got this! -[Maneet] Come on, chefs! 899 00:35:40,467 --> 00:35:41,600 [Chris] Under 20 seconds. 900 00:35:41,667 --> 00:35:43,467 Come on. Come on, come on, come on. 901 00:35:43,467 --> 00:35:46,934 10, nine, eight, 902 00:35:46,934 --> 00:35:50,133 seven, six, five, 903 00:35:50,834 --> 00:35:55,000 four, three, two, one. 904 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:56,166 Times up! 905 00:35:56,166 --> 00:35:57,500 -[clapping] -[Chris] Whoo! 906 00:35:58,567 --> 00:35:59,767 Wow. 907 00:36:01,500 --> 00:36:04,600 [Alexandra] It's sweet. It's salty. It's orangey. 908 00:36:04,667 --> 00:36:06,233 It's chocolatey. It's filoey. 909 00:36:06,233 --> 00:36:07,467 So I feel pretty good. 910 00:36:08,767 --> 00:36:10,867 [Kirsten] I look over at Chef Alexandra's dish 911 00:36:10,934 --> 00:36:13,567 and I think to myself, "I'm going home." 912 00:36:21,033 --> 00:36:22,767 [Ted] Chef Kirsten, Chef Alexandra, 913 00:36:22,767 --> 00:36:26,934 {\an8}for dessert, we presented you with a basket of garlic juice, 914 00:36:26,934 --> 00:36:29,967 oranges, blue cheese-stuffed olives 915 00:36:29,967 --> 00:36:32,266 and a 24-layer chocolate cake. 916 00:36:32,266 --> 00:36:34,734 Chef Kirsten, please tell the judges what you've made. 917 00:36:34,734 --> 00:36:36,834 So, I gambled away on my garlic juice 918 00:36:36,834 --> 00:36:39,166 and I was able to get some vanilla bean paste. 919 00:36:39,233 --> 00:36:42,967 {\an8}This is a layered chocolate and pineapple cake 920 00:36:42,967 --> 00:36:45,066 {\an8}and a vanilla Chantilly. 921 00:36:47,166 --> 00:36:48,600 [Chris] I think this is really fun. 922 00:36:48,667 --> 00:36:50,667 I don't, generally, love pineapple, but I love it here. 923 00:36:51,867 --> 00:36:53,600 {\an8}And then I think you didn't know what to do at all 924 00:36:53,667 --> 00:36:55,033 {\an8}with those blue cheese olives 925 00:36:55,033 --> 00:36:57,033 {\an8}and at the very end you threw a couple olives on the plate 926 00:36:57,033 --> 00:36:59,033 and said, "This is what it is." 927 00:36:59,033 --> 00:37:02,233 {\an8}I've gotta start by saying I love the presentation. 928 00:37:02,233 --> 00:37:04,033 But the blue cheese-stuffed olives... 929 00:37:04,033 --> 00:37:05,367 I'm not getting that. 930 00:37:05,367 --> 00:37:07,834 The orange. Very faint. 931 00:37:07,834 --> 00:37:12,166 So I almost think that the basket ingredients got lost 932 00:37:12,166 --> 00:37:15,367 because the pineapple overshadowed this entire dish. 933 00:37:15,367 --> 00:37:17,066 Okay. Thank you. 934 00:37:17,066 --> 00:37:19,367 Chef Kirsten, it's been a pleasure watching you cook today. 935 00:37:19,367 --> 00:37:20,867 There's so much going on here 936 00:37:20,934 --> 00:37:22,967 and to take it apart is a bit of a feat. 937 00:37:22,967 --> 00:37:26,300 {\an8}It's chocolate pineapple upside-down ambrosia olive cake. 938 00:37:26,367 --> 00:37:28,500 I think there's something about the promise, 939 00:37:28,567 --> 00:37:30,667 visually, with this, says it's gonna deliver. 940 00:37:30,667 --> 00:37:31,667 But it doesn't. 941 00:37:33,266 --> 00:37:34,834 Thank you, Chef Kirsten. 942 00:37:34,834 --> 00:37:36,367 Finally, Chef Alexandra. 943 00:37:36,367 --> 00:37:39,967 Well, I decided that my best bet was to get rid of that garlic juice. 944 00:37:39,967 --> 00:37:41,767 So I got salted caramels. 945 00:37:41,834 --> 00:37:44,033 {\an8}I made a chocolate baklava 946 00:37:44,033 --> 00:37:49,567 {\an8}with an orange and blue cheese olive syrup. 947 00:37:49,567 --> 00:37:53,367 Mom and Dad, if you're up there, I did something Greek. 948 00:37:53,367 --> 00:37:56,300 I didn't put nuts in because I wanted to just highlight basket ingredients. 949 00:37:57,767 --> 00:38:00,600 [Maneet] To me, I think the idea of baklava is amazing. 950 00:38:01,567 --> 00:38:03,867 Really, really smart to go ahead and... 951 00:38:03,867 --> 00:38:06,100 This highlights the basket ingredients. 952 00:38:06,100 --> 00:38:07,967 The baklava in itself... 953 00:38:07,967 --> 00:38:10,266 I think you should have made it a lot smaller. 954 00:38:10,266 --> 00:38:12,233 It did need a little bit more time. 955 00:38:12,233 --> 00:38:13,767 [Alexandra] Thank you. 956 00:38:13,767 --> 00:38:16,100 [Tiffani] Chef Alexandra, there's orange liqueur and then there's honey. 957 00:38:16,100 --> 00:38:18,033 So there's other things that were brought in. 958 00:38:18,033 --> 00:38:19,967 I think, with the nuts, you could've used more olives 959 00:38:19,967 --> 00:38:21,967 and really kind of pushed that salinity 960 00:38:21,967 --> 00:38:24,166 -and that brininess a little bit. -Heard. 961 00:38:24,233 --> 00:38:25,500 After work, in front of the TV, 962 00:38:25,567 --> 00:38:27,734 would I not eat a bowl of this, like, 963 00:38:27,734 --> 00:38:29,567 with, probably, some ice cream on top of it too? 964 00:38:29,567 --> 00:38:30,567 Yeah, I would. 965 00:38:31,467 --> 00:38:33,367 But the nuts are definitely needed 966 00:38:33,367 --> 00:38:34,934 'cause the texture is one note. 967 00:38:37,967 --> 00:38:41,000 Soon, the judges will grace us with their decision. 968 00:38:45,033 --> 00:38:46,567 [Tiffani] We start with appetizer round. 969 00:38:46,567 --> 00:38:47,667 It's so interesting. 970 00:38:47,667 --> 00:38:49,767 They got this gorgeous long-bone rib-eye, right? 971 00:38:49,834 --> 00:38:51,100 Basket had pork blood in it. 972 00:38:51,100 --> 00:38:53,000 They both opted to give it away. 973 00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:55,000 Kirsten ended up rolling for Cornish game hens. 974 00:38:55,000 --> 00:38:57,400 Her concern was, obviously, two big proteins. 975 00:38:57,467 --> 00:38:59,567 {\an8}[Chris] I thought it was courageous that Kirsten said, 976 00:38:59,567 --> 00:39:01,567 {\an8}"You know what? I'm gonna leave this long-bone steak. 977 00:39:01,567 --> 00:39:02,967 {\an8}Just use it for the fat." 978 00:39:02,967 --> 00:39:04,266 Game changer. 979 00:39:04,266 --> 00:39:06,467 On the other hand, we had Alexandra 980 00:39:06,467 --> 00:39:08,667 who traded in her pork blood 981 00:39:08,734 --> 00:39:11,400 for some Chinese broccoli. 982 00:39:11,467 --> 00:39:13,367 {\an8}And she cooked that beautifully. 983 00:39:13,367 --> 00:39:15,367 {\an8}But the long-bone steak... 984 00:39:15,367 --> 00:39:16,667 {\an8}She cooked it properly, 985 00:39:16,734 --> 00:39:18,500 {\an8}-but she did not let it rest. -[Tiffani] Right. 986 00:39:18,567 --> 00:39:20,600 I didn't think the long-bone steak was the biggest crime. 987 00:39:20,667 --> 00:39:23,166 I thought it was... "Squash blossoms, girl, you in there?" 988 00:39:23,166 --> 00:39:25,834 -They were, like, soggy. -Yeah. God. 989 00:39:25,834 --> 00:39:27,367 {\an8}[Chris] But in the entree round, 990 00:39:27,367 --> 00:39:30,233 {\an8}Alexandra made us a cotton candy burrito circus peanut curry 991 00:39:31,033 --> 00:39:32,467 and it was delicious. 992 00:39:32,467 --> 00:39:33,667 It was delicious. 993 00:39:33,667 --> 00:39:35,400 The heat in the coconut cream 994 00:39:35,467 --> 00:39:37,934 just allowed that curry to coat the rice. 995 00:39:37,934 --> 00:39:39,033 It was really good. 996 00:39:39,033 --> 00:39:40,600 The lamb was raw. 997 00:39:41,567 --> 00:39:42,834 Kirsten's entree was good. 998 00:39:42,834 --> 00:39:44,467 {\an8}I really loved the tzatziki that she made. 999 00:39:44,467 --> 00:39:46,000 {\an8}There were no basket ingredients in it, 1000 00:39:46,000 --> 00:39:47,567 {\an8}but it was really delicious. 1001 00:39:47,567 --> 00:39:49,767 {\an8}But, again, huge miss on the lamb. 1002 00:39:49,767 --> 00:39:51,934 For me, the issue as we make this decision 1003 00:39:51,934 --> 00:39:54,567 is I know for sure who made me my favorite dish, 1004 00:39:54,567 --> 00:39:56,133 but in Casino Royale, 1005 00:39:56,133 --> 00:39:58,867 -I know for sure who played the game better. -Mmm-hmm. 1006 00:39:58,867 --> 00:40:00,166 And they're not the same person. 1007 00:40:05,367 --> 00:40:06,667 [Kirsten] I'm a little worried 1008 00:40:06,734 --> 00:40:09,934 that the pineapple was a little dominating 1009 00:40:09,934 --> 00:40:12,867 and that some of the key ingredients did get lost. 1010 00:40:12,867 --> 00:40:14,767 [Alexandra] Chef Kirsten. She's a wonderful chef. 1011 00:40:14,834 --> 00:40:17,867 But the one thing I feel like I may have an edge on 1012 00:40:17,867 --> 00:40:19,834 is the utilization of the basket ingredients. 1013 00:40:22,867 --> 00:40:26,667 So, whose dish was on the chopping block? 1014 00:40:33,734 --> 00:40:35,467 -[Alexandra groans] -Whoa! 1015 00:40:35,467 --> 00:40:37,300 -What? -Oh, man! 1016 00:40:37,367 --> 00:40:39,400 [Ted] Chef Alexandra, you've been chopped. 1017 00:40:39,467 --> 00:40:40,467 Judges... 1018 00:40:41,166 --> 00:40:42,367 [Tiffani] Chef Alexandra, 1019 00:40:42,367 --> 00:40:45,100 first of all, it was incredibly close. 1020 00:40:45,100 --> 00:40:46,567 Let's start with the appetizer round. 1021 00:40:46,567 --> 00:40:48,367 {\an8}The squash blossoms were soggy 1022 00:40:48,367 --> 00:40:50,166 {\an8}and just not treated well in that salad. 1023 00:40:50,166 --> 00:40:51,734 Getting to the entree round, 1024 00:40:51,734 --> 00:40:53,500 the lamb was raw. 1025 00:40:53,567 --> 00:40:55,867 And so we had to chop you. 1026 00:40:55,867 --> 00:40:57,400 -Thank you. -[Maneet] Thank you so much. 1027 00:40:58,166 --> 00:40:59,734 I feel really disappointed. 1028 00:41:02,266 --> 00:41:04,166 I thought I really had a shot at it. 1029 00:41:04,233 --> 00:41:05,867 {\an8}The hardest thing about this moment 1030 00:41:05,934 --> 00:41:07,500 {\an8}is coming so close and losing. 1031 00:41:10,867 --> 00:41:13,266 And that means, Chef Kirsten Schmitt, 1032 00:41:13,266 --> 00:41:15,033 you are the Chopped champion. 1033 00:41:15,033 --> 00:41:16,066 Congratulations. 1034 00:41:16,066 --> 00:41:17,567 -Thank you. -Whoo! 1035 00:41:17,567 --> 00:41:18,734 Yes! 1036 00:41:18,734 --> 00:41:20,000 I am Chopped champion, 1037 00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:23,166 which means I get to show you guys more of what I have. 1038 00:41:23,166 --> 00:41:26,367 Next round. Bigger. Stronger. Hotter. 1039 00:41:26,367 --> 00:41:28,567 Yeah. I'm a Chopped champion 1040 00:41:28,567 --> 00:41:31,166 and I am exceedingly elated. 1041 00:41:33,467 --> 00:41:36,066 -[all cheering] -The stakes are high! 1042 00:41:36,066 --> 00:41:37,567 [man] Action! Flashing lights. 1043 00:41:37,567 --> 00:41:38,734 I'm running like hell. 1044 00:41:38,734 --> 00:41:39,834 Oh, my gosh. 1045 00:41:39,834 --> 00:41:41,166 [Maneet] The glamor. The glitz. 1046 00:41:41,166 --> 00:41:42,667 {\an8}[woman] This would change my life. 1047 00:41:42,667 --> 00:41:43,834 {\an8}My hands are shaking. 1048 00:41:43,834 --> 00:41:45,400 {\an8}Trinkets. People winning. People losing. 1049 00:41:45,467 --> 00:41:46,767 {\an8}[Maneet] Black, black, black! 1050 00:41:46,834 --> 00:41:48,266 {\an8}[Tiffani] I need all of these chefs 1051 00:41:48,266 --> 00:41:49,834 {\an8}to be the best that they have ever been. 1052 00:41:49,834 --> 00:41:52,133 {\an8}-Don't even look at the clock. Just plate. -Here we go! 1053 00:41:52,133 --> 00:41:54,100 {\an8}[Terri] I'm not gonna fold under pressure. 1054 00:41:54,100 --> 00:41:56,066 {\an8}[Alexandra] Chopped isn't about playing it safe. 1055 00:41:56,066 --> 00:41:57,600 {\an8}One of you is gonna be the grand champion!