1 00:00:01,135 --> 00:00:03,173 Gordon: Previously on "MasterChef: Back to Win"... 2 00:00:03,206 --> 00:00:05,845 - Top nine. - ...another winner's mystery box 3 00:00:05,879 --> 00:00:08,416 revealed a familiar face... 4 00:00:08,450 --> 00:00:09,620 Gerron! 5 00:00:09,620 --> 00:00:10,822 ...and he brought the heat. 6 00:00:10,855 --> 00:00:12,191 - Oh, my-- - Wow. 7 00:00:12,224 --> 00:00:13,561 This is my worst nightmare. 8 00:00:13,594 --> 00:00:15,632 While some conquered spice mountain... 9 00:00:15,632 --> 00:00:18,571 - The heat level is perfect. - It just looks beautiful. 10 00:00:18,571 --> 00:00:20,140 Congratulations, Emily. 11 00:00:21,009 --> 00:00:22,646 ...others hit rock bottom. 12 00:00:22,646 --> 00:00:25,183 - Crunchy, greasy. - Gordon: You've missed the mark. 13 00:00:25,217 --> 00:00:27,756 - That's a little bit bizarre. - You don't cook caviar. 14 00:00:27,789 --> 00:00:31,229 The person leaving is Bowen. 15 00:00:31,262 --> 00:00:33,501 - Tonight... - No. 16 00:00:33,534 --> 00:00:35,470 ...the top eight face their biggest challenge yet. 17 00:00:35,505 --> 00:00:37,274 - The wall. - You and a partner 18 00:00:37,308 --> 00:00:40,214 must create dishes that look and taste identical, 19 00:00:40,247 --> 00:00:41,249 but you won't be able to see each other. 20 00:00:41,249 --> 00:00:43,521 This is gonna be a mess. 21 00:00:43,521 --> 00:00:46,326 - Salmon is in! - Heard. Let's go! 22 00:00:46,359 --> 00:00:48,296 And it's a double elimination. 23 00:00:48,330 --> 00:00:50,768 - How that sauce looking, Willie? - Is that Christian? 24 00:00:50,768 --> 00:00:53,340 - Shanika, you there? - The team that can't get in sync... 25 00:00:53,340 --> 00:00:55,310 - Got it! - Duck's at 130! I'm pulling it! 26 00:00:55,344 --> 00:00:58,016 - What are they doing? - Use the cream you cooked them in! 27 00:00:58,049 --> 00:01:00,420 - I already strained it. - No! Look at me. 28 00:01:00,454 --> 00:01:02,024 - You need to get on the same page now. - Yes, Chef. 29 00:01:02,057 --> 00:01:03,828 ...will be leaving the kitchen for good. 30 00:01:03,828 --> 00:01:06,399 - It just looks bland. - It tastes like cough syrup. 31 00:01:06,399 --> 00:01:09,205 - It's that disappointing. - Oof. 32 00:01:21,664 --> 00:01:23,366 Top eight. 33 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:24,870 - It's a big one tonight. - The wall. 34 00:01:24,870 --> 00:01:26,540 - This is my favorite. - Absolutely. 35 00:01:26,573 --> 00:01:28,878 One of the most exciting challenges across this season. 36 00:01:28,911 --> 00:01:31,082 This is it. 37 00:01:32,384 --> 00:01:34,690 - ( gasps ) No! - Uh... 38 00:01:34,723 --> 00:01:36,025 Michael: It's the wall. 39 00:01:36,059 --> 00:01:37,494 I watched season 11, 40 00:01:37,529 --> 00:01:39,065 and I know what's about to happen. 41 00:01:39,098 --> 00:01:40,768 This is gonna be a mess. 42 00:01:40,768 --> 00:01:43,574 - Welcome back. - What is this? 43 00:01:43,608 --> 00:01:45,344 No, not the wall. 44 00:01:45,377 --> 00:01:47,247 The wall doesn't care how good of a chef you are. 45 00:01:47,281 --> 00:01:49,953 The wall will take anyone down today. 46 00:01:49,987 --> 00:01:52,424 Y'all set up the kitchen wrong. 47 00:01:54,061 --> 00:01:56,499 Welcome back, everyone. Top eight. 48 00:01:58,370 --> 00:02:02,344 Tonight you will face a challenge that's new to all of you. 49 00:02:02,378 --> 00:02:06,620 The wall. The ultimate test of communication. 50 00:02:06,654 --> 00:02:10,728 You and a partner will cook on opposite sides of this very wall, 51 00:02:10,762 --> 00:02:14,468 and you must create dishes that look and taste identical. 52 00:02:14,503 --> 00:02:16,406 You'll be able to hear each other, 53 00:02:16,439 --> 00:02:18,577 - but you won't be able to see each other. - Well. 54 00:02:18,611 --> 00:02:20,447 And I don't know have to tell you guys 55 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,353 that there's no immunity pin to save you guys this evening. 56 00:02:23,386 --> 00:02:26,660 And trust me, you do not want to be in the bottom, 57 00:02:26,694 --> 00:02:29,833 because tonight both cooks from the losing team 58 00:02:29,833 --> 00:02:31,637 - will be going home. - Ooh. 59 00:02:31,670 --> 00:02:36,513 That's right, tonight is a double elimination. 60 00:02:36,547 --> 00:02:39,085 Amanda: There's only eight of us, 61 00:02:39,085 --> 00:02:41,456 so 25% percent chance you're going home today. 62 00:02:41,489 --> 00:02:44,629 And I'd love to be on a team with Christian because we've worked great together, 63 00:02:44,663 --> 00:02:47,902 and I definitely wouldn't want to be paired with Derrick. 64 00:02:47,902 --> 00:02:50,508 I think sometimes his ego gets the best of him. 65 00:02:50,508 --> 00:02:52,679 So I think it would be a real challenge to be on his team. 66 00:02:52,712 --> 00:02:55,417 And, Emily, even though you won the last challenge, 67 00:02:55,417 --> 00:02:59,392 there is no immunity pin to protect you tonight. 68 00:02:59,425 --> 00:03:03,601 - No, there's not. - But you do have a huge advantage. 69 00:03:03,634 --> 00:03:07,374 You get to pick the teams for this challenge. 70 00:03:07,374 --> 00:03:10,380 ( Michael sighs ) 71 00:03:10,414 --> 00:03:13,186 I am very afraid of Emily's power right now, 72 00:03:13,186 --> 00:03:17,762 because on season nine I knocked Emily out of the competition. 73 00:03:17,796 --> 00:03:20,434 So I'm wondering, is she gonna use her advantage 74 00:03:20,434 --> 00:03:22,539 to get me out of the kitchen? 75 00:03:22,572 --> 00:03:26,112 Now, Emily, let's start with your pick. 76 00:03:26,145 --> 00:03:27,749 With a wall in between you, 77 00:03:27,782 --> 00:03:30,621 communication is of the utmost importance, 78 00:03:30,655 --> 00:03:32,424 but I also want someone that, you know, 79 00:03:32,458 --> 00:03:33,894 we're on the same level when it comes to skills. 80 00:03:33,928 --> 00:03:38,403 So I am going to choose Michael. 81 00:03:38,436 --> 00:03:40,575 - Wow. Michael. - Mm. 82 00:03:40,608 --> 00:03:42,411 Yeah. 83 00:03:42,411 --> 00:03:44,415 Who are you gonna pair with Dara? 84 00:03:44,448 --> 00:03:46,419 I know she's a very strong cook. 85 00:03:46,452 --> 00:03:48,758 It's just that stress level that I think in the kitchen 86 00:03:48,791 --> 00:03:51,797 sometimes gets to her, and that can negatively impact a team member as well. 87 00:03:51,830 --> 00:03:55,003 So you're putting this person with her because it's gonna keep her calm? 88 00:03:55,036 --> 00:03:57,542 No. I'm putting this person with her 89 00:03:57,575 --> 00:04:00,815 because I think that might drive this person a little insane. 90 00:04:00,848 --> 00:04:06,459 So with Dara, I would like to pair Shanika. 91 00:04:06,459 --> 00:04:08,029 - Ha. - Gordon: Shanika. Wow. 92 00:04:08,029 --> 00:04:10,233 - All right. - Ooh. 93 00:04:10,267 --> 00:04:13,707 - Man. - Right, Emily, we're gonna talk about Christian now. 94 00:04:13,741 --> 00:04:16,613 Emily: The person that I'm going to pair with Christian, 95 00:04:16,647 --> 00:04:21,222 ironically, I think they have very different communication styles. 96 00:04:21,222 --> 00:04:26,098 I'm going to pair Christian with Willie. 97 00:04:26,132 --> 00:04:27,234 - Mm. - Gordon: Wow. 98 00:04:27,267 --> 00:04:29,739 - Oh, wow. - Interesting. 99 00:04:29,773 --> 00:04:31,743 Big Willie, how does that make you feel? 100 00:04:31,777 --> 00:04:33,581 Actually, what Emily don't know 101 00:04:33,614 --> 00:04:37,454 is me and Christian was on the same season together 102 00:04:37,454 --> 00:04:39,993 and we actually worked in the tag team together. 103 00:04:39,993 --> 00:04:43,767 And so I know how he works, so it most definitely could come together. 104 00:04:43,801 --> 00:04:47,074 Emily, by default, you've also chosen Amanda and Derrick, 105 00:04:47,107 --> 00:04:48,644 so give me an insight to that. Why? 106 00:04:48,677 --> 00:04:50,648 Emily: I know that Derrick is a strong personality. 107 00:04:50,648 --> 00:04:51,950 He's definitely a top threat. 108 00:04:51,984 --> 00:04:54,288 But Amanda's voice is so soft. 109 00:04:54,321 --> 00:04:58,196 I don't know how well they're gonna be able to communicate. 110 00:04:58,229 --> 00:05:00,501 Emily and Michael, please join the line, 111 00:05:00,501 --> 00:05:02,437 and everybody put your team colored aprons on. Thank you. 112 00:05:02,471 --> 00:05:05,110 Emily showed that I'm her biggest threat 113 00:05:05,110 --> 00:05:06,245 sticking me with Amanda. 114 00:05:06,245 --> 00:05:08,082 I'm gonna go off. 115 00:05:08,116 --> 00:05:09,619 ( bleep ) everybody. 116 00:05:09,619 --> 00:05:11,122 - Except me. - Except Derrick. 117 00:05:11,155 --> 00:05:13,994 Because she put Christian with Willie. 118 00:05:14,028 --> 00:05:15,731 They, like, cook the same food. 119 00:05:15,765 --> 00:05:17,569 And then Dara and Shanika, girl power. 120 00:05:17,602 --> 00:05:19,673 They're gonna work it out. 121 00:05:19,706 --> 00:05:22,679 And then she took a really great chef for herself. 122 00:05:22,712 --> 00:05:24,248 I mean, if she wanted to win, she needed to pick me, 123 00:05:24,248 --> 00:05:25,918 but she doesn't want the win right now. 124 00:05:25,952 --> 00:05:28,724 She wants to get rid of me. But I'm not going anywhere. 125 00:05:28,757 --> 00:05:32,599 Right, tonight you'll have one hour 126 00:05:32,632 --> 00:05:36,773 to cook us three amazing dishes each. 127 00:05:36,807 --> 00:05:41,817 But your dishes must look and taste identical tonight. 128 00:05:41,884 --> 00:05:44,789 - All: Yes, Chef. - We are expecting fully plated, 129 00:05:44,856 --> 00:05:48,597 Michelin star entrées from everyone. 130 00:05:48,631 --> 00:05:50,100 Aarón: But before you start cooking, 131 00:05:50,100 --> 00:05:52,505 you'll get five minutes in that beautifully stocked pantry. 132 00:05:52,539 --> 00:05:57,314 There you can conceptualize, strategize, and gather your ingredients. 133 00:05:57,347 --> 00:06:02,024 And it will be your only time in the pantry as well. Five minutes. 134 00:06:02,057 --> 00:06:04,629 Gordon: And remember, tonight two of you, 135 00:06:04,663 --> 00:06:09,038 for the first time this season, are going home. 136 00:06:09,071 --> 00:06:13,581 Your 60 minutes start now. 137 00:06:13,614 --> 00:06:16,319 - Let's go. - We got this. We got this. We got this. 138 00:06:16,319 --> 00:06:18,356 Come on, Willie. Come on, Willie. 139 00:06:18,389 --> 00:06:20,695 - Come on. Right away. - I'm thinking seafood. You wanna do seafood? 140 00:06:20,728 --> 00:06:23,132 Seafood is good. Seafood is fast. Type of fish? 141 00:06:23,132 --> 00:06:24,603 - Salmon's my favorite. - Salmon? Crispy skin salmon. 142 00:06:24,636 --> 00:06:26,138 - Crispy? - Crispy skin salmon. 143 00:06:26,138 --> 00:06:28,142 Thank goodness me and Emily are instantly in alignment. 144 00:06:28,142 --> 00:06:30,848 - We could do a lemony tarragon pea purée. - Purée. 145 00:06:30,881 --> 00:06:32,885 At this point, we haven't really picked a leader out. 146 00:06:32,919 --> 00:06:34,823 I think we're gonna try and just work collaboratively. 147 00:06:34,856 --> 00:06:37,127 - I was thinking about a preserved lemon vinaigrette. - Yeah. 148 00:06:37,127 --> 00:06:39,566 - Small potatoes. - No, let's do the potatoes, 149 00:06:39,599 --> 00:06:42,639 and then let's do a Swiss chard, like, just quick, sautéed, salt and pepper. 150 00:06:42,672 --> 00:06:44,743 - Let's do it. - So with the salsa verde, 151 00:06:44,776 --> 00:06:46,012 basically we could grill jalapenos, 152 00:06:46,045 --> 00:06:48,550 tomatillos, garlic, a little bit of ginger. 153 00:06:48,584 --> 00:06:49,786 - Okay, okay. - Get that all on the grill. 154 00:06:49,819 --> 00:06:52,157 - This is difficult. - Wow, it's intense. 155 00:06:52,190 --> 00:06:56,633 I was thinking Moroccan style couscous because you can cook it like pasta. 156 00:06:56,667 --> 00:06:58,202 We're gonna boil, we're gonna put it in. 157 00:06:58,269 --> 00:07:00,006 We're gonna cook it 10, 12 minutes. 158 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,745 - We're gonna test it. - Emily thinks if I take the lead 159 00:07:02,745 --> 00:07:05,383 I'm gonna overcomplicate the situation, 160 00:07:05,383 --> 00:07:07,254 and that's just a recipe for disaster. 161 00:07:07,254 --> 00:07:09,926 So let me let Amanda take the lead. 162 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:12,899 I know I can cook anything that she throws at me. 163 00:07:12,932 --> 00:07:15,638 Three minutes till these doors close. Three minutes! 164 00:07:15,705 --> 00:07:17,842 - All right, let's get our couscous. - Okay. 165 00:07:17,875 --> 00:07:21,015 - Onions. - Let's get the seasoning, seasoning! 166 00:07:21,048 --> 00:07:23,353 - You need a little cayenne. - We've got shallots, 167 00:07:23,353 --> 00:07:24,923 we've got garlic, we've got peas. 168 00:07:24,923 --> 00:07:27,394 - What protein is that? Duck. - Duck, yes, Chef. 169 00:07:27,427 --> 00:07:29,799 - Joe: Duck's risky. - Gordon: It's very hard to get that cooked properly. 170 00:07:29,833 --> 00:07:32,404 - Let's grab a preserved lemon. - Do we need wine? Wine? Wine? 171 00:07:32,404 --> 00:07:33,741 Shallots. White wine and shallots. 172 00:07:33,774 --> 00:07:35,711 Look, those baskets look identical. 173 00:07:35,711 --> 00:07:37,014 - Amanda: Our duck, salt, pepper... - Derrick: Yep. 174 00:07:37,047 --> 00:07:38,416 ...and then we're gonna pour our sauce in it. 175 00:07:38,416 --> 00:07:39,786 - We got the pork chop? - Yeah. 176 00:07:39,819 --> 00:07:41,923 - Get your milk. - 30 seconds left! 177 00:07:41,923 --> 00:07:43,627 - Here's some cayenne. - What else? 178 00:07:43,661 --> 00:07:45,865 - Garlic. - Bam. Let's go, Willie! 179 00:07:45,898 --> 00:07:47,969 All right, let's go, Shanika. 180 00:07:47,969 --> 00:07:51,576 - Five, four, three... - Come on, Michael! 181 00:07:51,610 --> 00:07:53,279 - ...two, one. - Let's go, let's go, let's go! 182 00:07:53,313 --> 00:07:54,949 ( overlapping shouts ) 183 00:07:54,983 --> 00:07:56,887 - Aarón: Come on! - Gordon: The pantry is closed. 184 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:58,757 I'ma walk you through the sauce. 185 00:07:58,791 --> 00:07:59,959 - We're gonna start the sauce first. - All right. 186 00:07:59,959 --> 00:08:01,863 We're gonna score seven at an angle, 187 00:08:01,897 --> 00:08:03,834 - six at an angle. - Seven, six. Heard. 188 00:08:03,834 --> 00:08:05,938 We just need to talk. We're gonna use the clock system. 189 00:08:05,971 --> 00:08:08,844 - Do you wanna cook the filets of salmon into squares? - Michael: Yes. 190 00:08:08,844 --> 00:08:11,248 - That's intense. - Dara: Shanika, you there? 191 00:08:11,282 --> 00:08:12,785 - Shanika: I'm here! - All right. 192 00:08:12,819 --> 00:08:14,889 Get the tomatillos, garlic, 193 00:08:14,923 --> 00:08:16,793 and onions on the grill pan, okay? 194 00:08:16,827 --> 00:08:18,229 - Heard! - Dara: Perfect. 195 00:08:19,833 --> 00:08:21,670 Michael: What are we doing first, the pea purée? 196 00:08:21,703 --> 00:08:23,807 Emily: Pea purée needs to get started first, yes. 197 00:08:23,841 --> 00:08:26,780 So team selection, Emily had a huge advantage tonight. 198 00:08:26,813 --> 00:08:28,751 Her first pick was Michael. Was that a smart move? 199 00:08:28,784 --> 00:08:30,253 - Defensive. - Defensive. 200 00:08:30,253 --> 00:08:32,992 She feels he's the best cook. She doesn't wanna go home. 201 00:08:33,026 --> 00:08:34,829 We're gonna need some cream to finish, 202 00:08:34,863 --> 00:08:37,034 so don't use all your cream, Emily. 203 00:08:37,067 --> 00:08:38,336 Heard, heard! 204 00:08:38,336 --> 00:08:39,873 - Amanda: Derrick! - Yeah? 205 00:08:39,873 --> 00:08:41,008 Amanda: Are we doing them in the cast iron? 206 00:08:41,042 --> 00:08:42,444 Come to the wall. I can't hear. 207 00:08:42,444 --> 00:08:44,048 - Cast iron? - Derrick: What? 208 00:08:44,081 --> 00:08:46,052 Derrick and Amanda, I feel it's either 209 00:08:46,085 --> 00:08:47,822 gonna go really great and they'll be the best, 210 00:08:47,855 --> 00:08:48,924 or it'll go really bad and they'll be the worst. 211 00:08:48,957 --> 00:08:50,427 There's no middle ground for them. 212 00:08:50,460 --> 00:08:52,330 Aarón: I think Amanda took it personally 213 00:08:52,364 --> 00:08:54,134 when Emily called her a soft voice 214 00:08:54,168 --> 00:08:56,840 and doesn't have that big outgoing personality in the kitchen. 215 00:08:56,873 --> 00:08:59,378 So I think Amanda's gonna show her that she has that. 216 00:08:59,411 --> 00:09:01,148 All right, I'm gonna start scoring now! 217 00:09:01,182 --> 00:09:04,989 Okay. Let's not drop our duck until it's the same time. 218 00:09:05,056 --> 00:09:06,860 Yes, we'll drop them at the same time. 219 00:09:06,893 --> 00:09:09,899 Make sure we're gonna skin those potatoes, too, okay? 220 00:09:09,966 --> 00:09:12,437 - Leave the skin on? - Christian: No, we taking it off. 221 00:09:12,471 --> 00:09:14,074 - All right. - Christian: Yes, sir. 222 00:09:14,108 --> 00:09:16,278 Big Willie and Christian, I think that was a silly move 223 00:09:16,278 --> 00:09:18,182 because those are from the same neck of the woods, 224 00:09:18,182 --> 00:09:20,955 and they share the same big bold flavor profile. 225 00:09:20,988 --> 00:09:22,925 Christian: I'm seasoning my pork chop now, bro. 226 00:09:22,959 --> 00:09:24,294 Willie: Okay, what you want me to season it with? 227 00:09:24,328 --> 00:09:25,898 Salt, pepper, and all those additional seasonings 228 00:09:25,931 --> 00:09:28,336 - that we grabbed. - All right, the Cajun? 229 00:09:28,369 --> 00:09:31,275 Yes, sir. We gonna keep it South. 230 00:09:31,275 --> 00:09:33,881 All right, I'm showing I have two tomatillos here. 231 00:09:33,881 --> 00:09:35,718 - You only have two? - Shanika: Yes. 232 00:09:35,751 --> 00:09:37,889 Okay, I'll throw you some more. Shanika, are you ready? 233 00:09:37,889 --> 00:09:39,491 - Yes. - They're coming over now. 234 00:09:39,526 --> 00:09:40,961 All right. Got it! 235 00:09:40,995 --> 00:09:42,765 Dara: Perfect! Get those on. 236 00:09:42,765 --> 00:09:44,936 I think that the surprise success team of the night 237 00:09:44,969 --> 00:09:46,706 is gonna be Dara and Shanika. 238 00:09:46,740 --> 00:09:48,544 Gordon: Yeah, but Dara does tend to get flustered, 239 00:09:48,577 --> 00:09:50,681 so that might trip up Shanika. 240 00:09:50,714 --> 00:09:54,021 I wanna see Dara less panicked for those last five minutes to go. 241 00:09:54,054 --> 00:09:55,958 - Are we peeling the ginger? - Cut the skin off 242 00:09:55,958 --> 00:09:57,962 - and get it onto the grill. - Heard! 243 00:09:57,995 --> 00:09:59,532 But communication's gonna have to be key. 244 00:09:59,532 --> 00:10:01,102 Derrick, talk to me. Where you at? 245 00:10:01,102 --> 00:10:03,139 - I'm opening my third duck! - Amanda: Okay. 246 00:10:03,172 --> 00:10:06,178 These are so thick, Amanda. We gotta start right away. 247 00:10:06,178 --> 00:10:08,851 Yes, heard. Yeah, 'cause we have to baste them. 248 00:10:08,884 --> 00:10:10,821 - Onion powder on the pork chop. - Christian: Yes, sir. 249 00:10:10,855 --> 00:10:12,859 We want all that flavor. All bold flavors. 250 00:10:12,892 --> 00:10:14,796 You know what's up, baby boy. Is that cool with you, bro? 251 00:10:14,829 --> 00:10:17,134 - Willie: That's cool. - Let's work. 252 00:10:17,167 --> 00:10:20,440 Six, seven... 253 00:10:20,473 --> 00:10:23,947 Every step from serving the protein 254 00:10:23,947 --> 00:10:25,551 to making the sauce to the garnish to the seasoning, 255 00:10:25,584 --> 00:10:27,354 you need to be in sync. 256 00:10:27,387 --> 00:10:28,824 - Amanda? - Amanda: Yes? 257 00:10:28,857 --> 00:10:31,328 For the couscous, do we boil the water first? 258 00:10:31,362 --> 00:10:34,536 Yes, like pasta. 259 00:10:34,536 --> 00:10:37,742 Good Lord, it is loud in here, huh? 260 00:10:37,775 --> 00:10:39,913 Look at this. Michael's doing his vegetable prep 261 00:10:39,946 --> 00:10:41,248 and Emily's cutting her salmon. 262 00:10:41,282 --> 00:10:42,985 So, already they're not even on the same page. 263 00:10:45,223 --> 00:10:49,097 - Michael: Emily? - Yeah, heard. Hold on. I'm starting a fire over here. 264 00:10:49,131 --> 00:10:51,168 Michael: What? I can't hear you. What? 265 00:10:51,202 --> 00:10:55,544 Oh, shoot. All right, I got boil. I got boil. 266 00:10:55,578 --> 00:10:57,982 - I am not at a boil! - What? 267 00:10:57,982 --> 00:11:00,253 - I don't have a whole clove. - You don't have an onion? 268 00:11:00,286 --> 00:11:01,322 Smoked paprika? 269 00:11:01,322 --> 00:11:02,925 Hell yeah, man! It's blackened. 270 00:11:02,959 --> 00:11:05,865 Oh, my God. It's so loud! 271 00:11:05,865 --> 00:11:07,502 - I'm not at a boil yet. - What? 272 00:11:07,502 --> 00:11:08,971 - I'm not at a boil yet. - What? 273 00:11:08,971 --> 00:11:11,108 I'm talking to Michael, and Michael is like, "What?" 274 00:11:11,141 --> 00:11:11,910 - What? - "Huh?" 275 00:11:11,943 --> 00:11:13,212 - What? - "What?" 276 00:11:13,212 --> 00:11:14,481 - What? - It's insanity. 277 00:11:14,481 --> 00:11:16,686 We need to what? 278 00:11:16,753 --> 00:11:19,526 At this point, I'm feeling a little nervous about taking Michael on as my teammate. 279 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:21,195 Emily, I need you! 280 00:11:21,228 --> 00:11:23,165 Oh, my gosh. I didn't realize that you were deaf. 281 00:11:23,199 --> 00:11:25,905 - What? - I hate this challenge so much. 282 00:11:25,938 --> 00:11:28,042 - What? - I hate this challenge. 283 00:11:38,262 --> 00:11:40,601 Wow, one big crazy wall, 284 00:11:40,634 --> 00:11:42,538 four incredible teams of two. 285 00:11:42,572 --> 00:11:45,009 - Shanika: You ready? - Yep, I'm ready! 286 00:11:45,043 --> 00:11:47,147 - Oh! - Shanika: Sorry. 287 00:11:47,180 --> 00:11:50,053 Gordon: Sadly, both cooks from the losing team will be going home. 288 00:11:50,119 --> 00:11:52,825 Man, there's some jeopardy out there tonight. 289 00:11:52,858 --> 00:11:56,566 Guys, 15 minutes gone. 45 minutes remaining. 290 00:11:56,566 --> 00:11:57,902 Let's go. 291 00:11:57,969 --> 00:12:00,641 Let's do 1/4 teaspoon of salt. 292 00:12:00,641 --> 00:12:02,410 1/4 teaspoon of salt! 293 00:12:02,444 --> 00:12:04,314 Oh, my goodness me. Oh, boy. 294 00:12:04,314 --> 00:12:06,318 Right, young lady, tell me about the dish. 295 00:12:06,352 --> 00:12:08,389 Emily: So we're doing a crispy skin salmon filet 296 00:12:08,422 --> 00:12:11,095 over a tarragon pea purée with white asparagus 297 00:12:11,128 --> 00:12:12,932 - and a preserved lemon vinaigrette. - Wow. 298 00:12:12,965 --> 00:12:15,003 - Who's leading this? - We're taking turns leading, 299 00:12:15,036 --> 00:12:16,940 because I'm not familiar with the vinaigrette. 300 00:12:16,973 --> 00:12:19,545 He's less familiar with the pea purée, 301 00:12:19,579 --> 00:12:20,915 - and so we're handing off. - Okay. 302 00:12:20,915 --> 00:12:22,150 - Hopefully it'll work. - Right. 303 00:12:22,183 --> 00:12:23,687 Just over 40 minutes to go. Good luck. 304 00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:25,356 - Yes, Chef. - Hey, Shanika. 305 00:12:25,390 --> 00:12:27,962 - What's the dish? - We're making blackened steel trout. 306 00:12:27,995 --> 00:12:30,033 We're doing this with sautéed mushrooms, 307 00:12:30,066 --> 00:12:32,370 and we're doing a salsa verde, 308 00:12:32,370 --> 00:12:35,376 so we're going a little, you know, español style today. 309 00:12:35,410 --> 00:12:38,316 I like that. Now, were you excited to get the pairing of Dara? 310 00:12:38,349 --> 00:12:40,353 Yeah, I think Dara is a really, really strong cook, 311 00:12:40,353 --> 00:12:42,692 and she's actually a great leader as well 312 00:12:42,692 --> 00:12:44,796 because she's walking me through a lot of this. 313 00:12:44,829 --> 00:12:47,167 - Wait, stop the press. You're following? - Dara is taking the lead. 314 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:49,171 Have you ever followed anyone in your life? 315 00:12:49,204 --> 00:12:52,277 Yes, I have, because my job is to be able to lead and to listen. 316 00:12:52,310 --> 00:12:54,983 - You can't be a chef if you can't do both. - Wow. 317 00:12:54,983 --> 00:12:58,222 You think Emily should've picked Dara instead of Michael? 318 00:12:58,222 --> 00:13:00,126 You know what? She messed up when she put me and Dara together. 319 00:13:00,159 --> 00:13:02,531 - Ooh! Messed up. - Did you put your salt in already? 320 00:13:02,531 --> 00:13:05,169 - Shanika: No, I didn't. Heard! - Salt the fish, okay? 321 00:13:05,203 --> 00:13:07,742 - I like the communication here, Joe. - Yeah, it's good. Strong. 322 00:13:07,775 --> 00:13:09,579 - All right, good luck. - Thank you, Chef. 323 00:13:09,612 --> 00:13:13,085 37 minutes, guys. 37 minutes. 324 00:13:13,152 --> 00:13:14,522 - Derrick? - Derrick: Yeah? 325 00:13:14,522 --> 00:13:17,293 - Are you juicing? - Derrick: I'm getting there. 326 00:13:17,293 --> 00:13:18,730 Right, young man, how are you feeling? 327 00:13:18,730 --> 00:13:20,166 - I'm feeling great, Chef. - Good. 328 00:13:20,199 --> 00:13:21,503 Tell me about the dish. What are you doing? 329 00:13:21,536 --> 00:13:23,940 So we're gonna put couscous with some shallots 330 00:13:23,974 --> 00:13:25,443 and some dried apricots. 331 00:13:25,476 --> 00:13:27,180 We're doing a sliced duck on top 332 00:13:27,213 --> 00:13:29,151 and then an orange reduction, 333 00:13:29,184 --> 00:13:32,023 almost like duck à l'orange with a Moroccan flair. 334 00:13:32,023 --> 00:13:33,760 Wow, so duck breast are we serving them pink? 335 00:13:33,760 --> 00:13:37,100 - Um, yeah, medium. - Medium, above. 336 00:13:37,133 --> 00:13:38,770 - And is hers gonna be medium as well? - Yes. 337 00:13:38,804 --> 00:13:40,874 You're a big risk-taker, young man. 338 00:13:40,908 --> 00:13:43,580 So this sounds like an Amanda profile dish that you're following suit. 339 00:13:43,613 --> 00:13:45,951 Derrick: Yeah, if she feels comfortable with this, 340 00:13:45,984 --> 00:13:48,155 she communicates to me, I tell her what I'm doing, 341 00:13:48,189 --> 00:13:50,728 - our vision comes to life. - The pairings, you and Amanda, 342 00:13:50,761 --> 00:13:52,330 what does that say about Emily? 343 00:13:52,364 --> 00:13:54,836 I think she thought picking Michael was the best move, 344 00:13:54,869 --> 00:13:57,173 and she didn't think about someone like Amanda and I being together. 345 00:13:57,173 --> 00:14:01,015 We're from season six. We've been in a kitchen together before. 346 00:14:01,048 --> 00:14:03,754 I've been on every winning team. Why would you not pick me? 347 00:14:03,754 --> 00:14:06,291 - Yeah. - My communication is amazing. 348 00:14:06,325 --> 00:14:08,295 - Stay on the same page. Good luck. - Yep. 349 00:14:08,329 --> 00:14:09,699 - Christian? - Christian: Yes, sir. 350 00:14:09,732 --> 00:14:11,603 Willie: I only have four potatoes. 351 00:14:11,636 --> 00:14:13,239 - You only got four? - Yeah. 352 00:14:13,272 --> 00:14:14,642 Christian: I'm 'bout to throw them over. 353 00:14:14,675 --> 00:14:17,147 Go ahead and throw. 354 00:14:17,180 --> 00:14:18,349 - Aw, ( bleep ). - You got it? 355 00:14:18,382 --> 00:14:20,186 - It's okay, we got a-- - I got it. 356 00:14:20,219 --> 00:14:22,057 Now come on. Is that enough? 357 00:14:22,090 --> 00:14:25,798 - That's it. That's it. - Okay. 358 00:14:25,831 --> 00:14:27,500 What's the dish? What did you decide on? 359 00:14:27,500 --> 00:14:32,010 We are making a seven blackened Cajun double cut pork chop 360 00:14:32,043 --> 00:14:34,014 with a white wine blood orange sauce. 361 00:14:34,047 --> 00:14:36,886 We gonna serve it with some mashed potatoes and rainbow Swiss chard. 362 00:14:36,953 --> 00:14:39,324 How happy are you about the pairing? You happy to be with Willie? 363 00:14:39,357 --> 00:14:41,663 I'm happy. Last time we worked together on season five, he left. 364 00:14:41,696 --> 00:14:43,232 We're not going home tonight. 365 00:14:43,232 --> 00:14:47,340 The person leaving "MasterChef" tonight is Willie. 366 00:14:47,373 --> 00:14:50,446 I'm sorry. Your journey ends tonight. 367 00:14:50,446 --> 00:14:51,549 No hard feelings. 368 00:14:51,583 --> 00:14:53,854 You know, this is like a redemption for us. 369 00:14:53,887 --> 00:14:57,026 How can you ensure that the level of seasoning 370 00:14:57,026 --> 00:15:01,001 on Willie's pork chop-- yours are very heavily seasoned. How can communicate that to him? 371 00:15:01,034 --> 00:15:04,341 - Willie's from the South. - Aarón: He understands heavy duty seasoning? 372 00:15:04,408 --> 00:15:06,478 - Yes! - So, Willie, if you laid a pork chop 373 00:15:06,513 --> 00:15:09,852 in the sand on the beach, is that what your seasoning looks like? 374 00:15:09,852 --> 00:15:12,390 Baby, it's covered and covered and covered! 375 00:15:12,424 --> 00:15:14,461 - Aarón: All right, good luck. - All right! 376 00:15:14,494 --> 00:15:17,835 - Shall we do the peas? - Yes, let's do the peas. 377 00:15:17,868 --> 00:15:19,438 Michael: Are we gonna strain them first? 378 00:15:19,471 --> 00:15:21,609 - Emily: Yes! - I need you to talk louder. 379 00:15:21,643 --> 00:15:23,245 Yes, strain first! 380 00:15:23,279 --> 00:15:25,584 Peas are strained. Going into blender. 381 00:15:25,617 --> 00:15:29,224 Heard. Everybody would be able to hear a lot better if everybody stopped screaming. 382 00:15:29,257 --> 00:15:31,596 - I can't hear you. What? - Hold on. 383 00:15:31,629 --> 00:15:33,533 Hold on, I'm straining my peas. 384 00:15:33,533 --> 00:15:36,405 And let's add a splash of heavy cream so it blends. 385 00:15:36,438 --> 00:15:38,510 Use the cream you cooked them in! 386 00:15:38,577 --> 00:15:40,379 - I already strained it. - Did you throw it away? 387 00:15:40,413 --> 00:15:42,117 Michael: Yeah, you told me to strain it. 388 00:15:42,150 --> 00:15:45,189 Well, yeah, but you don't ever lose your liquid. 389 00:15:45,223 --> 00:15:47,427 Okay, I only have the cream. It doesn't matter. 390 00:15:47,460 --> 00:15:49,565 So let's just both do the same thing. 391 00:15:49,599 --> 00:15:51,536 Let's try two tablespoons of cream to start. 392 00:15:51,569 --> 00:15:53,072 Heard. Let's go! 393 00:15:55,811 --> 00:15:57,347 - There is a lot going on. - Wow. 394 00:15:57,380 --> 00:15:59,084 Gordon: Let me tell you about Emily and Michael. 395 00:15:59,117 --> 00:16:00,654 They're doing a crispy skin salmon 396 00:16:00,687 --> 00:16:02,390 with a grilled asparagus 397 00:16:02,423 --> 00:16:04,862 and then a preserved lemon vinaigrette 398 00:16:04,896 --> 00:16:06,498 with a fresh mint pea purée. 399 00:16:06,533 --> 00:16:08,435 Salmon with asparagus and pea purée, 400 00:16:08,469 --> 00:16:10,339 - they're playing it safe. - Absolutely. 401 00:16:10,339 --> 00:16:13,445 - Very, very safe. And maybe too safe. - Right. 402 00:16:14,882 --> 00:16:16,686 My couscous is done! 403 00:16:16,719 --> 00:16:17,922 It's got a little firmness to it. 404 00:16:17,922 --> 00:16:19,291 - Can I strain it? - Um, yes. 405 00:16:19,291 --> 00:16:21,428 And then you're gonna toss it 406 00:16:21,461 --> 00:16:23,800 with some olive oil, salt, pepper. 407 00:16:23,834 --> 00:16:25,737 - Olive oil, salt, and pepper? - Yes. 408 00:16:25,771 --> 00:16:28,275 Now, Derrick and Amanda, they're doing almost like 409 00:16:28,309 --> 00:16:29,779 a Moroccan couscous inspired dish. 410 00:16:29,812 --> 00:16:32,183 They're using a duck breast. 411 00:16:32,217 --> 00:16:34,689 Duck breast is the biggest variable in this whole kitchen. 412 00:16:34,722 --> 00:16:37,193 Because, you know, you score a duck breast and you render it, 413 00:16:37,227 --> 00:16:38,663 it could come out completely different. 414 00:16:38,697 --> 00:16:41,468 Make sure you've seasoned your water for the potatoes! 415 00:16:41,503 --> 00:16:43,172 Come on, brother, I'm doing that right now. 416 00:16:43,205 --> 00:16:45,343 You know we from the South. We like flavor, brother. 417 00:16:45,376 --> 00:16:48,282 Christian and Willie are doing pork chops Southern style. 418 00:16:48,315 --> 00:16:50,219 Aarón: Yeah, they're doing a Cajun broth on the outside. 419 00:16:50,219 --> 00:16:52,156 They're heavily seasoned, 420 00:16:52,190 --> 00:16:53,660 and they're gonna do some sort of potato garnish 421 00:16:53,693 --> 00:16:56,599 as well as Swiss chard and a blood orange sauce. 422 00:16:56,599 --> 00:16:59,204 - How that sauce looking, Willie? - Willie: It's boiling. 423 00:16:59,237 --> 00:17:02,377 - I'm about to add the stock in now. - Ooh-whee! 424 00:17:02,410 --> 00:17:04,214 - Dara: Okay, Shanika. - Yes, ma'am? 425 00:17:04,214 --> 00:17:05,784 Tell me when you're ready to blend. 426 00:17:05,784 --> 00:17:08,022 Let's get this mix on, and then we'll start those mushrooms. 427 00:17:08,055 --> 00:17:10,794 - Dara with Shanika, how's that working out? - So here's the deal. 428 00:17:10,794 --> 00:17:14,635 They're gonna do a crispy skin trout with a salsa verde. 429 00:17:14,669 --> 00:17:16,673 But over trout, that seems weird, that salsa verde. 430 00:17:16,706 --> 00:17:19,679 - Yeah. - It's so powerful, and trout's so sweet and delicate. 431 00:17:19,712 --> 00:17:21,415 That thing's spicy, girl! 432 00:17:21,448 --> 00:17:22,851 We're bringing the heat today! 433 00:17:22,885 --> 00:17:24,254 Joe: But check this, Dara's leading. 434 00:17:24,254 --> 00:17:26,258 Shanika says she's willing to be led. 435 00:17:26,258 --> 00:17:27,528 - Wow. - I don't quite believe it. 436 00:17:27,561 --> 00:17:29,832 My duck's at 130! I'm pulling it! 437 00:17:29,865 --> 00:17:31,603 Derrick, I'm at 132. I'm pulling them. 438 00:17:31,636 --> 00:17:35,376 - Derrick: Perfect! - Just over 15 minutes to go. 439 00:17:35,409 --> 00:17:38,215 - Derrick, where you at? - Derrick: I'm just slicing duck. 440 00:17:38,249 --> 00:17:41,556 - Gordon: Hold on. - Are Amanda and Derrick slicing the duck 441 00:17:41,589 --> 00:17:43,693 - with 15 minutes to go? - Joe: Yeah, they're slicing. 442 00:17:43,727 --> 00:17:46,198 - Aarón: What is he doing? - What are they doing? 443 00:17:46,231 --> 00:17:49,471 - Joe: It's gonna oxidize. - And all the juice hasn't rested properly. 444 00:17:49,505 --> 00:17:52,544 - I can't believe it. - I'm at a really nice medium. 445 00:17:52,544 --> 00:17:55,449 - Amanda: Me, too. - That is all kinds of wrong. 446 00:17:55,483 --> 00:17:57,554 Gordon: So the goodness is gonna be on the board, not on the plate. 447 00:17:57,554 --> 00:18:00,761 What is he doing? Oh, my goodness me. 448 00:18:00,761 --> 00:18:03,800 No. No, no, no, no, no. 449 00:18:15,557 --> 00:18:16,491 Gordon: Hold on. 450 00:18:16,526 --> 00:18:18,663 Are Amanda and Derrick slicing the duck 451 00:18:18,697 --> 00:18:20,634 with 15 minutes to go? 452 00:18:20,634 --> 00:18:21,970 Joe: It's gonna oxidize. 453 00:18:22,003 --> 00:18:23,205 That is all kinds of wrong. 454 00:18:23,238 --> 00:18:24,909 Gordon: Oh, my goodness me. 455 00:18:24,942 --> 00:18:28,282 No. No, no, no, no, no. 456 00:18:28,282 --> 00:18:31,288 - I'm at a really nice medium. - Me too! 457 00:18:31,321 --> 00:18:32,925 Maybe that's just their tester. 458 00:18:32,958 --> 00:18:34,762 - No. - No, they're cutting them all. 459 00:18:34,795 --> 00:18:37,300 You see all that juice from Derrick's duck from here? 460 00:18:37,300 --> 00:18:39,872 - Aarón: Yes. - Shanika, put oil on the pan. 461 00:18:39,905 --> 00:18:42,310 Olive oil. No, grapeseed. 462 00:18:42,343 --> 00:18:43,947 - We're blackening this dish. - Heard. 463 00:18:43,980 --> 00:18:46,485 Emily, when you drop your salmon, 464 00:18:46,519 --> 00:18:48,923 keep your fingers on them so it gets a nice flat sear. 465 00:18:48,957 --> 00:18:50,560 Heard. We're pressing. Yes, heard. 466 00:18:50,594 --> 00:18:52,798 First piece going in the middle! You ready? 467 00:18:52,831 --> 00:18:54,502 - Yes! - Go! 468 00:18:54,535 --> 00:18:56,438 Shanika: Make sure you press it down so that skin sears! 469 00:18:56,471 --> 00:18:57,675 Dara: I'm pushing it down! 470 00:18:57,708 --> 00:18:59,010 - And go! - Emily: Go! 471 00:18:59,044 --> 00:19:01,014 Michael: I'm holding for 30 seconds. 472 00:19:01,048 --> 00:19:02,450 - Emily: Heard. - Michael: All right. 473 00:19:02,483 --> 00:19:04,454 How's your sauce, Derrick? 474 00:19:04,487 --> 00:19:06,759 Mine's a little reduced. I'm gonna add some more chicken stock. 475 00:19:06,826 --> 00:19:08,963 Okay, mine's still very thin, 476 00:19:08,997 --> 00:19:10,567 so I'm gonna let it reduce some more. 477 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:11,903 Salmon is in! 478 00:19:11,936 --> 00:19:14,074 Let's go back to the vinaigrette. 479 00:19:14,074 --> 00:19:15,944 Can you add a teaspoon of the juice? 480 00:19:15,977 --> 00:19:17,748 One teaspoon of the juice. 481 00:19:19,484 --> 00:19:21,522 Look at the synchronization now between Emily and Michael. 482 00:19:21,522 --> 00:19:24,595 Well, let's see what the juice-- wait, wait, wait! 483 00:19:24,628 --> 00:19:26,899 - Michael, that's really salty. - Michael: Yeah, I know. 484 00:19:26,899 --> 00:19:28,636 Do we need salt in there? There's a lot of acid. 485 00:19:28,670 --> 00:19:30,373 If anything, we need something sweet. 486 00:19:30,406 --> 00:19:31,642 Okay, well, we don't have anything sweet. 487 00:19:31,676 --> 00:19:33,513 Exactly, so let's not add anything salty. 488 00:19:33,546 --> 00:19:34,949 Michael: But you did you add it? I already added it. 489 00:19:34,982 --> 00:19:36,953 Okay, I'm gonna add a little bit. 490 00:19:36,986 --> 00:19:38,489 Okay. 491 00:19:39,992 --> 00:19:42,063 One, two, three, four, five. 492 00:19:42,096 --> 00:19:43,800 - Come on, Amanda! - Come on, Willie! 493 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:47,741 Gordon: Remember, we want identical dishes from each team. 494 00:19:47,775 --> 00:19:49,044 Let's go! 495 00:19:49,077 --> 00:19:51,381 Willie, what plate do you wanna plate on? 496 00:19:51,415 --> 00:19:56,592 There is a white plate right here with silver rims. 497 00:19:56,592 --> 00:19:59,431 Okay. 498 00:19:59,464 --> 00:20:01,769 Oh, yeah! We gonna set that to the side, brother. 499 00:20:01,769 --> 00:20:06,646 Yelling through the wall is like your mama yelling at you 500 00:20:06,679 --> 00:20:08,550 down the street to bring your ass home. 501 00:20:08,550 --> 00:20:09,885 Christian: How you feel, Willie? 502 00:20:09,919 --> 00:20:12,423 - I'm feeling really good. - Let's go then, baby! 503 00:20:12,423 --> 00:20:15,664 Christian's voice keeps going to this high octave. 504 00:20:15,664 --> 00:20:18,001 Christian: Willie, did you-- are you glazing your pork chop? 505 00:20:18,068 --> 00:20:21,274 - I'm glazing. - Let's work it, my man. 506 00:20:22,711 --> 00:20:23,680 Is that Christian? 507 00:20:23,713 --> 00:20:28,422 - Willie! - Christian, is that you? 508 00:20:28,422 --> 00:20:30,493 Willie, we got ten minutes. You ready to plate? 509 00:20:30,527 --> 00:20:33,432 - I'ma be ready. - We gotta get ready for plating, Derrick, okay? 510 00:20:33,465 --> 00:20:34,769 Derrick: Yep. Heard. 511 00:20:37,140 --> 00:20:38,777 Shanika, I'm gonna flip my fish! 512 00:20:38,810 --> 00:20:40,947 Okay, I can't flip mine yet. It's not ready to flip. 513 00:20:40,981 --> 00:20:44,588 - Okay, my skin is gonna burn, so I'm flipping it. - Heard. 514 00:20:44,588 --> 00:20:46,692 - Michael. - Michael, so how we feeling, buddy? 515 00:20:46,692 --> 00:20:48,028 Do you think Emily burnt the salmon like that? 516 00:20:48,061 --> 00:20:49,598 No, no, no, that was my test one. 517 00:20:49,632 --> 00:20:51,602 - I hope not. - Maybe flip some of them. 518 00:20:51,602 --> 00:20:53,740 - I think they're good to go, buddy. - Joe: Ooh. 519 00:20:53,773 --> 00:20:55,677 - Aarón: Hurry up. Flip them, flip them. - How well do you know Emily? 520 00:20:55,710 --> 00:20:57,848 Michael: Look, we've been here for so many weeks together. 521 00:20:57,848 --> 00:21:00,019 - I know she's a solid cook. - I have to leave you with one question. 522 00:21:00,019 --> 00:21:02,423 - Yes? - Do you think that Emily would brown salmon 523 00:21:02,423 --> 00:21:05,463 - to that level? - Michael: Uh, I hope so. 524 00:21:05,496 --> 00:21:08,202 Emily, what kind of color are you getting on your salmon? 525 00:21:08,235 --> 00:21:10,607 Good. Nice deep, dark golden brown. 526 00:21:10,674 --> 00:21:13,345 Yeah, mine are definitely well crisped. 527 00:21:14,748 --> 00:21:18,455 Shanika, we need to start plating in three minutes, okay? 528 00:21:18,523 --> 00:21:20,493 Heard. The fish ain't ready though. 529 00:21:20,493 --> 00:21:22,631 Okay, Shanika, I'm taking my fish off. 530 00:21:22,631 --> 00:21:23,933 Okay, my fish isn't ready to come off. 531 00:21:23,967 --> 00:21:27,039 Derrick: Amanda, where's the Romanesco going? 532 00:21:27,073 --> 00:21:28,910 On the left side of the couscous. 533 00:21:28,910 --> 00:21:30,479 Willie, I'm plating already. 534 00:21:30,514 --> 00:21:31,516 Willie: I am too! 535 00:21:31,549 --> 00:21:33,485 Set out our plates. 536 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:36,759 Plating is going to be where I have the most nerves. 537 00:21:36,792 --> 00:21:38,696 Plating three Michelin star dishes 538 00:21:38,730 --> 00:21:41,969 on the opposite side of a wall is my worst nightmare. 539 00:21:42,003 --> 00:21:45,176 Spoon swipe from ten o'clock to five o'clock on the plate. 540 00:21:45,209 --> 00:21:46,779 I'm getting nervous about the spoon swipes, 541 00:21:46,813 --> 00:21:48,583 that they're not gonna be identical. 542 00:21:48,616 --> 00:21:50,119 Emily: Okay, then let's just do a circle, 543 00:21:50,152 --> 00:21:51,622 but let's do a five inch circle. 544 00:21:51,689 --> 00:21:53,860 Hold on, let's pick an object and match it. 545 00:21:53,893 --> 00:21:56,966 Let's do that. Cutters. Circle cutters right here, yeah? 546 00:21:56,999 --> 00:22:00,540 - Wait, do the size of the deli. - Size of the deli! Heard. 547 00:22:00,540 --> 00:22:03,613 Size of the deli right in the middle of the plate, yeah? 548 00:22:03,646 --> 00:22:05,550 - Michael: Right in the middle. - Heard. 549 00:22:05,550 --> 00:22:07,019 - Christian? - Yes? 550 00:22:07,053 --> 00:22:10,527 I'm putting this Swiss chard a little bit off of the potato 551 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:12,096 - on the right. - All right. 552 00:22:12,129 --> 00:22:13,633 Bone towards 12 o'clock. 553 00:22:13,666 --> 00:22:15,837 Yes, sir, we gonna sit it nice and hot. 554 00:22:15,871 --> 00:22:17,541 - Make sure we plate together. - Yes, Chef. 555 00:22:17,574 --> 00:22:19,512 You've got literally just over 3 1/2 minutes. 556 00:22:19,545 --> 00:22:20,914 - Yes, Chef. - Don't leave it too late, please. 557 00:22:20,947 --> 00:22:23,285 - Heard, Chef. Heard, Chef. - Please. 558 00:22:23,318 --> 00:22:26,258 - Dara, she hasn't even started plating yet. - I know. We're gonna-- 559 00:22:26,291 --> 00:22:28,897 - No, no, look at me. - She hasn't even started plating yet. 560 00:22:28,930 --> 00:22:30,867 - You need to get on the same page now. - Yes, Chef. 561 00:22:30,901 --> 00:22:32,838 - Is your fish done? - Fish is done. 562 00:22:32,871 --> 00:22:34,542 - We don't have enough-- - Synchronization, I beg you. 563 00:22:34,575 --> 00:22:36,646 - Yes, Chef. - You're already plated. 564 00:22:36,679 --> 00:22:38,148 - She's got nothing on the plate. - I know. I wanted to plate. 565 00:22:38,181 --> 00:22:39,585 - Look at me. - Yes, Chef. 566 00:22:39,618 --> 00:22:40,921 - Gordon: Teamwork. - Yes, Chef. 567 00:22:52,678 --> 00:22:55,316 Dara, you need to get on the same page now. Now. 568 00:22:55,316 --> 00:22:57,086 - Is your fish done? - Fish is done. 569 00:22:57,119 --> 00:22:58,823 You're already plated. She's got nothing on the plate. 570 00:22:58,856 --> 00:23:01,328 - I know. Yes, Chef. - Look at me. 571 00:23:01,361 --> 00:23:02,864 - Gordon: Teamwork. - Yes, Chef. 572 00:23:02,931 --> 00:23:04,602 We have two minutes, Shanika. Let's go! 573 00:23:04,635 --> 00:23:07,608 Emily, what are we doing with the asparagus? 574 00:23:07,641 --> 00:23:11,214 Five pieces of asparagus, tips to the northeast. 575 00:23:11,214 --> 00:23:13,553 Yes, let's do exactly 45 degrees. 576 00:23:13,586 --> 00:23:15,022 Willie, go ahead and drizzle a little more sauce 577 00:23:15,055 --> 00:23:16,892 and hit it with the microgreens, brother. 578 00:23:16,926 --> 00:23:17,828 Heard! 579 00:23:17,861 --> 00:23:19,531 - Amanda! - Talk to me. Hurry. 580 00:23:19,565 --> 00:23:21,669 So I did the sauce around the duck, 581 00:23:21,702 --> 00:23:23,305 around the outside of the couscous, nice and tight. 582 00:23:23,305 --> 00:23:25,710 - All right. - Gordon: 90 seconds to go. 583 00:23:25,744 --> 00:23:27,614 Aarón: Let's go, Shanika. 584 00:23:27,648 --> 00:23:28,850 - Dara: Shanika. - Yes? 585 00:23:28,850 --> 00:23:31,254 You're fish is on the left side, yes? 586 00:23:31,288 --> 00:23:32,858 - Yes. - Okay, on the right side 587 00:23:32,858 --> 00:23:35,162 you're gonna do one whole mushroom. 588 00:23:35,195 --> 00:23:36,933 Upside down? Face down? 589 00:23:36,966 --> 00:23:38,770 Upside down in the middle, and then two halves-- 590 00:23:38,803 --> 00:23:40,874 one at the top of the fish, one at the bottom. 591 00:23:40,874 --> 00:23:43,913 - Come on, Shanika! - Emily: Herb salad is on. We need our sauce. 592 00:23:43,980 --> 00:23:46,084 What are we doing? Drizzle around the outside of the plate? 593 00:23:46,117 --> 00:23:48,923 Yeah, just drizzle the full circle, I think, right? 594 00:23:48,923 --> 00:23:51,595 - Full circle. Heard, yes. - In this moment, Emily and Michael 595 00:23:51,629 --> 00:23:54,000 look like they're cooking side by side. 596 00:23:54,033 --> 00:23:56,872 - Aarón: Yeah. - Remarkable consistency. 597 00:23:56,906 --> 00:23:59,845 - Amanda: Give me a measurement. - I got a ring around. 598 00:23:59,878 --> 00:24:02,784 There's a good inch and a half from the edge to everything. 599 00:24:02,784 --> 00:24:04,120 - Amanda: Heard. - Come on, Amanda. 600 00:24:04,153 --> 00:24:07,026 My microgreens are going on top of the pork chop. 601 00:24:07,059 --> 00:24:09,030 That is correct. I'm doing the same thing, brother. 602 00:24:09,063 --> 00:24:11,936 Shanika, put a spoonful of the tomatillo in the middle. 603 00:24:11,969 --> 00:24:14,040 Shanika, we need to get some garnish on there as well. 604 00:24:14,073 --> 00:24:16,646 - Shanika: Slow down. - Come on, Shanika! 605 00:24:16,679 --> 00:24:18,783 Maldon salt to finish or no? 606 00:24:18,816 --> 00:24:20,954 Yes, just a little tiny bit on top of the skin. 607 00:24:20,987 --> 00:24:23,660 We got ten seconds. 608 00:24:23,693 --> 00:24:25,295 Shanika, do you have any micro parsley or cilantro? 609 00:24:25,329 --> 00:24:27,099 - No. - Amanda, wipe your plate! 610 00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:31,709 - Judges: Five, four, three, two, one. - Ugh! 611 00:24:31,742 --> 00:24:34,180 - Aarón: That's it. - Gordon: Stop! 612 00:24:36,084 --> 00:24:38,088 - Whoo! - Good job, Michael. Good job. 613 00:24:38,088 --> 00:24:40,894 - I don't think it's the same. - I'm sorry. 614 00:24:40,927 --> 00:24:43,966 - Don't beat yourself up about nothing, all right? - Dara: I won't. 615 00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:46,939 I'm just putting a lot of pressure on myself because this is my dish 616 00:24:46,939 --> 00:24:50,379 and there's a double elimination tonight. 617 00:24:50,412 --> 00:24:51,916 But I'm gonna hold my head high 618 00:24:51,949 --> 00:24:54,521 when I get in front of the judges because... 619 00:24:55,857 --> 00:24:58,161 ...I'm proud of this and hopefully-- 620 00:24:58,195 --> 00:25:00,065 and I hope they can see that. 621 00:25:02,938 --> 00:25:05,810 - Yay. - That's a hard challenge. 622 00:25:05,810 --> 00:25:08,983 Today I didn't want to complicate things too much. 623 00:25:09,017 --> 00:25:10,854 I wanted to just let Amanda drive. 624 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:14,260 I think it was a good team effort. We'll see. 625 00:25:14,293 --> 00:25:15,864 It's time for the moment of truth. 626 00:25:15,897 --> 00:25:19,237 Please bring your cloched dishes to the front. 627 00:25:27,988 --> 00:25:30,727 Right, let's start off with Christian and Willie. 628 00:25:30,760 --> 00:25:34,233 Head on up with your dishes. Thank you. 629 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:37,173 - You confident these are gonna look identical? - Yeah. 630 00:25:37,206 --> 00:25:38,810 We communicated very well today. 631 00:25:38,843 --> 00:25:40,045 All right, let's take a look. 632 00:25:49,330 --> 00:25:52,036 - Bingo, bingo. - Ooh. 633 00:25:52,069 --> 00:25:54,240 Ooh. Amazing. 634 00:25:54,273 --> 00:25:55,810 - Christian: Thank you. - Wow. 635 00:25:55,877 --> 00:25:57,914 - That looks good. - Okay, what did you make? 636 00:25:57,948 --> 00:26:01,922 Christian: We prepared for you a Southern Cajun blackened pork chop 637 00:26:01,956 --> 00:26:04,728 served with a blood orange white wine sauce, 638 00:26:04,762 --> 00:26:07,834 with a buttery cream potato and Swiss chard. 639 00:26:07,868 --> 00:26:10,072 Visually, for me, it looks like there was no wall tonight. 640 00:26:10,105 --> 00:26:11,241 It's exact replicas-- 641 00:26:11,274 --> 00:26:13,880 the depth of the sauce, the mash, the amount. 642 00:26:13,913 --> 00:26:17,988 But aesthetically, one issue with these two dishes. 643 00:26:18,021 --> 00:26:19,290 Different plates. 644 00:26:19,323 --> 00:26:21,762 Joe: Oh, yeah. What? That's the easiest thing, guys. 645 00:26:21,796 --> 00:26:24,768 - Yes, Chef. - And also we're gonna take a knife 646 00:26:24,802 --> 00:26:26,539 and cut each of these pork chops open 647 00:26:26,539 --> 00:26:27,908 and lots of things will come to light. 648 00:26:27,941 --> 00:26:29,477 Don't think you got this in the bag yet. 649 00:26:29,511 --> 00:26:31,515 - Yes. - All right. 650 00:26:31,549 --> 00:26:34,153 Gordon: So the temp on Christian's is... 651 00:26:36,926 --> 00:26:38,596 - ...beautiful. - Aarón: Nice. 652 00:26:39,832 --> 00:26:42,036 Gordon: And the temp on Willie's? 653 00:26:45,075 --> 00:26:46,211 Slightly over. 654 00:26:51,822 --> 00:26:54,060 Christian, this pork chop is cooked beautifully. 655 00:26:54,060 --> 00:26:55,563 - The sear's incredible. - Thank you, Chef. 656 00:26:55,563 --> 00:26:57,299 Gordon: There's no exposed fat. 657 00:26:57,333 --> 00:27:00,940 Big Willie, your pork is 60 seconds cooked too long, 658 00:27:00,974 --> 00:27:02,944 but the mashed potatoes taste like these come from the same pan. 659 00:27:02,944 --> 00:27:06,317 - Yep. - I think what's remarkable 660 00:27:06,351 --> 00:27:08,856 is how accurate both of you guys got the seasoning. 661 00:27:08,890 --> 00:27:11,261 Southern synergy happening right there. 662 00:27:11,261 --> 00:27:13,431 But, Christian, your sauce is a little bit more developed. 663 00:27:13,465 --> 00:27:14,902 It's a little bit more caramely. 664 00:27:14,968 --> 00:27:16,772 Yours needed to cook a little bit more, Willie, 665 00:27:16,806 --> 00:27:18,976 but other than that, great job on the replication 666 00:27:19,010 --> 00:27:21,014 and very familiar big flavor. 667 00:27:21,047 --> 00:27:22,918 - Thank you. - Thank you so much. 668 00:27:22,951 --> 00:27:24,888 Yeah, guys, it's really good. Emily, what were you thinking 669 00:27:24,922 --> 00:27:26,959 about putting these two together from the South? 670 00:27:26,992 --> 00:27:29,130 I knew that they had similar styles of cooking, 671 00:27:29,163 --> 00:27:31,134 but it was about the communication that I thought might trip them up. 672 00:27:31,167 --> 00:27:34,073 Is your strategy victorious or have you failed? 673 00:27:34,106 --> 00:27:37,914 Oh, no, I failed on this team. They definitely pulled it off. 674 00:27:37,948 --> 00:27:41,321 - Thank you. - It's a good job, both of you. 675 00:27:41,354 --> 00:27:42,824 Both: Thank you. 676 00:27:42,824 --> 00:27:44,628 Christian: We knocked it out the park, 677 00:27:44,628 --> 00:27:47,166 and we damn sure proved Emily wrong. 678 00:27:47,199 --> 00:27:48,503 So, thank you, Emily. 679 00:27:48,503 --> 00:27:49,905 You really dropped the ball this time. 680 00:27:49,938 --> 00:27:52,476 Next up, Dara and Shanika, 681 00:27:52,476 --> 00:27:53,579 make your way down please. Thank you. 682 00:27:53,579 --> 00:27:55,215 Shanika: We started off good, 683 00:27:55,215 --> 00:27:56,519 but we got a little bit 684 00:27:56,519 --> 00:27:58,990 of miscommunication going on, 685 00:27:59,023 --> 00:28:00,492 and I'm just scared that my dish 686 00:28:00,527 --> 00:28:02,998 is not going to look like Dara's. 687 00:28:03,031 --> 00:28:05,402 Right, are we both confident they're gonna look the same? 688 00:28:05,402 --> 00:28:07,139 No, Chef, they are not going to look the same, 689 00:28:07,172 --> 00:28:09,143 and I take full responsibility for that. 690 00:28:09,143 --> 00:28:12,049 - Uh-oh. - Right. Let's have a look, shall we? 691 00:28:12,049 --> 00:28:14,721 I think I fumbled the ball on the plating. 692 00:28:19,998 --> 00:28:23,038 - Joe: Oh, boy. - ( sighs ) 693 00:28:34,193 --> 00:28:36,197 Are we both confident they're gonna look the same? 694 00:28:36,231 --> 00:28:38,034 No, Chef, they are not going to look the same, 695 00:28:38,068 --> 00:28:39,838 and I take full responsibility for that. 696 00:28:39,871 --> 00:28:42,844 - Uh-oh. - Right. Let's have a look, shall we? 697 00:28:52,096 --> 00:28:54,534 The good news is they look very similar. 698 00:28:54,568 --> 00:28:56,371 The bad news is it reminds me of a dish 699 00:28:56,437 --> 00:29:00,112 that's sort of straight out of week one of culinary school. 700 00:29:00,145 --> 00:29:04,554 It's not Michelin level. Describe the dish, please. 701 00:29:04,588 --> 00:29:07,126 So today we have a blackened trout, 702 00:29:07,159 --> 00:29:11,334 salsa verde, roasted corn, and sautéed mushrooms. 703 00:29:11,367 --> 00:29:16,244 Blackened catfish I get, but blackened trout? 704 00:29:16,277 --> 00:29:19,250 Don't know why we need blackened season on a steelhead trout. 705 00:29:19,283 --> 00:29:21,487 Who decided to serve the shiitake mushrooms this way? 706 00:29:21,522 --> 00:29:23,693 I don't think I've ever seen a shiitake mushroom 707 00:29:23,693 --> 00:29:25,329 left entirely with the stem on. 708 00:29:25,362 --> 00:29:27,968 The scoring of the fish is obviously a difference, 709 00:29:28,001 --> 00:29:29,938 so that's a mistake too. 710 00:29:29,972 --> 00:29:31,441 But, look, we'll taste it. 711 00:29:31,474 --> 00:29:33,345 Right. 712 00:29:45,002 --> 00:29:47,272 An amazing duplication in flavor 713 00:29:47,306 --> 00:29:49,143 because they really taste exactly the same 714 00:29:49,176 --> 00:29:52,116 in their attributes and their defects. 715 00:29:52,116 --> 00:29:53,653 The trout is both perfectly cooked, 716 00:29:53,686 --> 00:29:56,391 but the seasoning is aggressive. 717 00:29:57,761 --> 00:29:59,196 The dish is very, very hot 718 00:29:59,230 --> 00:30:01,200 with the salsa, the blackened seasoning. 719 00:30:01,234 --> 00:30:03,305 And then you dive into the corn for some cooling agent. 720 00:30:03,338 --> 00:30:05,142 You have to run away from the mushrooms 721 00:30:05,175 --> 00:30:06,712 because they're just badly thrown in there. 722 00:30:06,712 --> 00:30:09,250 You leave the stems on a chanterelle. 723 00:30:09,283 --> 00:30:11,054 You leave your stems on a cremini. 724 00:30:11,087 --> 00:30:13,258 Not on a shiitake. Never. 725 00:30:13,291 --> 00:30:15,095 Gordon: I just expect more from both of you 726 00:30:15,128 --> 00:30:17,366 because it just is not you at your best. 727 00:30:17,399 --> 00:30:20,573 The cook on the trout is absolutely spot on. 728 00:30:20,573 --> 00:30:22,744 Everything else around it, including the seasoning, 729 00:30:22,777 --> 00:30:24,614 it's just obliterating. 730 00:30:24,648 --> 00:30:26,150 - Thank you. - Thank you, Chef. 731 00:30:26,184 --> 00:30:28,656 Shanika: Dara took the lead on this challenge, 732 00:30:28,656 --> 00:30:30,158 and I agreed to the dish, 733 00:30:30,158 --> 00:30:33,398 so I'm not gonna say that I blame Dara for this, 734 00:30:33,431 --> 00:30:35,570 but this is all her idea. 735 00:30:37,306 --> 00:30:39,945 - Gordon: Right, Michael and Emily, please. - Oh, God. 736 00:30:39,978 --> 00:30:41,214 Head on up with your dishes. Thank you. 737 00:30:41,247 --> 00:30:43,218 Michael: I feel like our plates match. 738 00:30:43,251 --> 00:30:44,755 Except for when I couldn't hear her, 739 00:30:44,755 --> 00:30:47,393 we did follow each other's directions. 740 00:30:47,426 --> 00:30:48,596 This is scary. 741 00:30:48,629 --> 00:30:50,298 All I know is I am terrified 742 00:30:50,332 --> 00:30:53,572 about the moment these judges lift those domes. 743 00:30:53,606 --> 00:30:56,444 The moment of truth. 744 00:31:01,254 --> 00:31:03,324 So close. 745 00:31:03,358 --> 00:31:05,530 - Gordon: Wow. - What kind of face is that, Emily? 746 00:31:05,563 --> 00:31:09,036 The salmons are turned 90 degrees opposite of one another. 747 00:31:09,070 --> 00:31:11,274 Michael, describe the dish please. What do you make? 748 00:31:11,307 --> 00:31:15,182 We did a crispy skin salmon with an English pea purée, 749 00:31:15,215 --> 00:31:17,219 grilled white asparagus finished with grilled lemon, 750 00:31:17,219 --> 00:31:19,423 and a preserved lemon vinaigrette. 751 00:31:19,457 --> 00:31:22,229 Look, it looks beautiful. Let's get that absolutely clear. 752 00:31:22,262 --> 00:31:24,300 Purée looks nice and fine. Asparagus beautifully grilled. 753 00:31:24,333 --> 00:31:27,674 Slightly concerned about the lemon preserve sauce. 754 00:31:27,674 --> 00:31:29,578 It is powerful, that stuff. 755 00:31:29,611 --> 00:31:32,349 Joe: I think the lemon preserve sauce, you can even see visually, 756 00:31:32,382 --> 00:31:35,355 is the thing that has the greatest amount of variance in it. 757 00:31:35,388 --> 00:31:37,660 But let's taste it. 758 00:31:46,110 --> 00:31:48,481 They look good, yeah? They look good. They look good. 759 00:31:48,549 --> 00:31:49,918 Who knows? 760 00:31:58,134 --> 00:32:02,409 Emily and Michael, overall your dishes are similar in appearance and taste. 761 00:32:02,443 --> 00:32:05,282 But, Emily, your salmon is cooked beautifully. 762 00:32:05,282 --> 00:32:07,386 - Michael, yours is medium. - Okay. 763 00:32:07,386 --> 00:32:08,789 Gordon: Especially when you see that white 764 00:32:08,823 --> 00:32:10,292 bursting out of the side-- identifies. 765 00:32:10,292 --> 00:32:14,266 But both purées taste of so much cream. 766 00:32:14,266 --> 00:32:17,941 If it's a pea purée, then it needs to taste of peas, peas and mint. 767 00:32:17,941 --> 00:32:20,880 But you have to be careful with that preserved lemon 'cause so powerful 768 00:32:20,880 --> 00:32:22,550 it actually just creates a bitter flavor. 769 00:32:22,584 --> 00:32:25,723 Aarón: Yeah, Michael, Emily, I appreciate the concept 770 00:32:25,756 --> 00:32:27,527 without that off-putting vinaigrette. 771 00:32:27,560 --> 00:32:30,265 - That vinaigrette's a misfire. - Okay, yeah. 772 00:32:30,298 --> 00:32:32,136 Joe: Here's what happened on the sauces. 773 00:32:32,169 --> 00:32:34,406 Michael, this one is bitter 774 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:36,444 and almost kind of assaulting on your palate. 775 00:32:36,444 --> 00:32:39,483 Emily, yours is perfectly integrated. 776 00:32:39,518 --> 00:32:42,356 So, I'm sorry, it's a fail on that aspect. 777 00:32:42,389 --> 00:32:44,561 - Thank you both. - Thank you, Chefs. 778 00:32:47,366 --> 00:32:51,407 Derrick, Amanda, please bring up your dishes, please. 779 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:54,714 Amanda and I did pretty well considering the circumstances. 780 00:32:54,748 --> 00:32:58,589 So I'm confident that our plates are gonna look the same 781 00:32:58,622 --> 00:33:00,158 and taste the same. 782 00:33:00,192 --> 00:33:01,595 But we're about to find out. 783 00:33:01,595 --> 00:33:06,939 Amanda, Derrick, how accurate do you both feel 784 00:33:06,972 --> 00:33:09,511 that you got on these executions? 785 00:33:09,511 --> 00:33:10,947 I feel pretty confident. 786 00:33:10,980 --> 00:33:13,184 I feel really good. All there. 787 00:33:13,218 --> 00:33:14,486 Joe: Let's see how you did. 788 00:33:18,228 --> 00:33:19,931 - Are they both-- - Yeah. 789 00:33:19,931 --> 00:33:21,735 Good job. 790 00:33:21,768 --> 00:33:23,706 Aarón: Please describe your dish. 791 00:33:23,739 --> 00:33:29,250 - Go ahead. - Today we made for you a crispy skin duck 792 00:33:29,283 --> 00:33:30,620 with a Moroccan style couscous, 793 00:33:30,653 --> 00:33:34,761 with some Romanesco and a blood orange gastrique. 794 00:33:34,761 --> 00:33:39,003 So the issue for me is it's the wrong color of sauce. 795 00:33:41,340 --> 00:33:43,311 Gastrique is all wrong. You would never put anything 796 00:33:43,344 --> 00:33:44,981 of that color on a plate with red meat. 797 00:33:45,015 --> 00:33:47,954 It looks like the duck is bleeding. 798 00:33:47,987 --> 00:33:49,591 It just does not work. 799 00:34:00,278 --> 00:34:04,788 So the issue for me is it's the wrong color of sauce. 800 00:34:04,821 --> 00:34:06,490 It looks like the duck is bleeding. 801 00:34:10,600 --> 00:34:14,574 Aarón: But you guys both did a good job of making them very similar. 802 00:34:14,608 --> 00:34:17,079 I think there is a lot of commonality in the presentation. 803 00:34:17,112 --> 00:34:21,888 Yeah, I just don't know if it's the right protein with the couscous. 804 00:34:21,888 --> 00:34:24,426 - Shall we? - Joe: Yes. 805 00:34:33,478 --> 00:34:36,284 Well, first off, from a flavor standpoint 806 00:34:36,317 --> 00:34:37,987 the duck is well-seasoned. 807 00:34:37,987 --> 00:34:41,294 But, Amanda, your dish has inconsistent cuts. 808 00:34:41,294 --> 00:34:44,868 Yours has a really big, kind of awkward cut right here. 809 00:34:44,901 --> 00:34:46,838 Your couscous is seasoned, 810 00:34:46,872 --> 00:34:50,478 and, Derrick, yours has zero salt. 811 00:34:50,478 --> 00:34:53,719 This sauce on both, it tastes like cough syrup. 812 00:34:53,752 --> 00:34:57,994 - Ooh. - There's nothing interesting behind it. 813 00:34:58,027 --> 00:35:00,599 It's that disappointing. 814 00:35:00,633 --> 00:35:03,505 The minute you start cooking that Israeli couscous in water, 815 00:35:03,539 --> 00:35:05,743 it's game over, because it's something 816 00:35:05,776 --> 00:35:07,580 that should be cooked and stewed in stock. 817 00:35:07,614 --> 00:35:10,285 The problem with this dish is not the invitation, 818 00:35:10,318 --> 00:35:12,422 it's the conceptualization of the dish. 819 00:35:12,489 --> 00:35:14,460 There's nothing that would interest me to eat this. 820 00:35:14,493 --> 00:35:17,466 Gordon: Now, both of you got some great color on the duck, 821 00:35:17,499 --> 00:35:20,271 but when we have a delicate protein like a duck, 822 00:35:20,338 --> 00:35:22,376 that's sliced at the very last moment, 823 00:35:22,409 --> 00:35:24,881 because the goodness stays in the duck when we slice it, 824 00:35:24,914 --> 00:35:26,585 not on the board. 825 00:35:26,618 --> 00:35:29,056 When you slice duck like that, it becomes quite bland, 826 00:35:29,056 --> 00:35:31,728 so that's a bit of a rookie mistake. 827 00:35:31,728 --> 00:35:33,464 It's like a put together in a rush dish 828 00:35:33,498 --> 00:35:36,370 as opposed to a Michelin starred restaurant quality dish. 829 00:35:36,404 --> 00:35:37,707 - Thank you both. - Yep. 830 00:35:37,740 --> 00:35:39,577 Derrick: I was feeling really confident, 831 00:35:39,611 --> 00:35:42,449 but right now I'm kind of regretting 832 00:35:42,482 --> 00:35:44,420 letting Amanda take the lead on this dish. 833 00:35:44,453 --> 00:35:46,558 It just didn't go well. 834 00:35:46,591 --> 00:35:48,829 Two people are going home, and for me right now, 835 00:35:48,829 --> 00:35:51,768 that could be a big problem. 836 00:35:51,802 --> 00:35:53,872 Gordon: Bloody hell. 837 00:35:55,643 --> 00:36:00,485 Right, Joe, Aarón, and myself need a very serious moment. 838 00:36:00,519 --> 00:36:01,621 Excuse us. 839 00:36:06,097 --> 00:36:07,533 Oh, man. 840 00:36:07,567 --> 00:36:09,370 Two of them are going home tonight, 841 00:36:09,403 --> 00:36:10,806 so this is a tough one. 842 00:36:10,840 --> 00:36:12,442 For me, there's a top half and a bottom half. 843 00:36:12,476 --> 00:36:14,881 - Yeah, I agree. - Derrick and Amanda, 844 00:36:14,914 --> 00:36:16,551 that couscous did not work. 845 00:36:16,585 --> 00:36:19,323 The duck was cooked right, but it wasn't interesting to me. 846 00:36:19,356 --> 00:36:21,528 The sauce tastes like cough syrup. 847 00:36:22,663 --> 00:36:25,936 Shanika and Dara's dish, it had some problems. 848 00:36:25,970 --> 00:36:27,774 - Gordon: Yeah. - The shiitakes were a big mistake, 849 00:36:27,807 --> 00:36:30,546 - but the trout was cooked properly. - Yeah. 850 00:36:32,149 --> 00:36:34,888 - Mm. Head up, girl. - What's worse? 851 00:36:34,888 --> 00:36:37,192 Um, oh, goodness me. 852 00:36:37,225 --> 00:36:39,798 There were some really big issues, not only with the duplication, 853 00:36:39,831 --> 00:36:42,904 - but just flavors that were skewed and off. - Yeah. 854 00:36:42,937 --> 00:36:44,708 - I hate this part. - I know. 855 00:36:44,708 --> 00:36:46,778 - All right. We agreed? - We're good. Yeah. 856 00:36:52,690 --> 00:36:56,531 Unfortunately, for one of you teams tonight, it's your last time cooking 857 00:36:56,565 --> 00:36:58,802 in the "MasterChef: Back to Win" season, 858 00:36:58,802 --> 00:37:03,211 because tonight both members of that team will be eliminated. 859 00:37:03,244 --> 00:37:07,185 But first, we feel there are two teams who are definitely safe 860 00:37:07,219 --> 00:37:10,526 from elimination this evening. 861 00:37:10,559 --> 00:37:14,433 Christian and Willie, congratulations on having 862 00:37:14,466 --> 00:37:16,605 the best dish of the night, both of you. 863 00:37:16,638 --> 00:37:17,707 - Both: Thank you. - Top six. 864 00:37:17,740 --> 00:37:19,844 Head up to the balcony. Well done. 865 00:37:19,878 --> 00:37:22,717 - Yes! - We won, and I'm sure a lot of people 866 00:37:22,717 --> 00:37:24,621 thought that we were not gonna work well together. 867 00:37:24,654 --> 00:37:26,925 So it feels good to prove people wrong, 868 00:37:26,925 --> 00:37:27,994 especially Emily. 869 00:37:28,027 --> 00:37:29,697 Next time you wanna get 870 00:37:29,731 --> 00:37:31,701 Christian out the kitchen, go do your homework. 871 00:37:31,701 --> 00:37:34,406 Gordon: Great job. Well done, both of you. 872 00:37:34,440 --> 00:37:36,812 Emily and Michael, not the best performance, 873 00:37:36,845 --> 00:37:40,218 but good enough to be safe from elimination tonight. 874 00:37:40,218 --> 00:37:42,456 Congratulations to you both. Top six. Head up. 875 00:37:42,489 --> 00:37:46,297 - Well done. - Let's go. Thank you, Chefs. 876 00:37:53,077 --> 00:37:55,783 Shanika, Dara, Derrick and Amanda, 877 00:37:55,816 --> 00:37:58,622 both teams' dishes were somewhat lacklust. 878 00:37:58,655 --> 00:38:01,628 But we did come to a consensus, 879 00:38:01,661 --> 00:38:05,401 and feel that one team's execution was underwhelming. 880 00:38:07,472 --> 00:38:09,944 The team leaving the competition tonight... 881 00:38:13,752 --> 00:38:16,157 I'm sad to say... 882 00:38:16,223 --> 00:38:18,729 is Derrick and Amanda. 883 00:38:25,475 --> 00:38:28,882 Shanika and Dara, make your way upstairs. 884 00:38:34,794 --> 00:38:36,731 I love you so much. 885 00:38:42,810 --> 00:38:45,014 It's okay. 886 00:38:46,918 --> 00:38:50,258 Gordon: Derrick and Amanda, the dish wasn't an idea 887 00:38:50,258 --> 00:38:52,128 that came out of the pantry with confidence. 888 00:38:52,162 --> 00:38:53,832 Some real basic mistakes. 889 00:38:53,866 --> 00:38:57,640 Tonight you were taken down by the wrong dish. 890 00:38:59,009 --> 00:39:00,111 Um, yes, it is. 891 00:39:00,111 --> 00:39:02,517 I put them together. 892 00:39:02,550 --> 00:39:06,156 Amanda, we've come to absolutely admire 893 00:39:06,190 --> 00:39:08,461 your composure in this competition. 894 00:39:08,494 --> 00:39:11,133 You need to continue climbing that culinary ladder. 895 00:39:11,166 --> 00:39:13,572 - You're good enough. - Thank you. 896 00:39:13,605 --> 00:39:16,878 Gordon: Derrick, I know how much this competition means to you, 897 00:39:16,912 --> 00:39:19,551 I know how strong and determined you've been. 898 00:39:19,617 --> 00:39:24,359 You know I got a lot of ideas and so much more to show. 899 00:39:26,163 --> 00:39:27,967 Promise me you'll continue. 900 00:39:30,238 --> 00:39:33,110 Good. Come and say good-bye. 901 00:39:36,083 --> 00:39:38,020 - Oh, Amanda, I'm gonna miss you. - I'm gonna miss you, too. 902 00:39:38,054 --> 00:39:39,691 I'm gonna miss you so much. 903 00:39:39,724 --> 00:39:42,897 So, my journey in the MasterChef kitchen is over 904 00:39:42,930 --> 00:39:44,801 too soon once again. 905 00:39:46,671 --> 00:39:48,575 But I'm really proud of myself. 906 00:39:48,575 --> 00:39:51,615 I came back to prove that I can absolutely bake. 907 00:39:51,648 --> 00:39:54,587 To come in "Back to Win" with a cake, 908 00:39:54,621 --> 00:39:56,290 it's a very courageous move. 909 00:39:56,290 --> 00:39:58,629 I cooked with integrity and love. 910 00:39:58,695 --> 00:40:01,000 I stayed true to my culture, to my roots. 911 00:40:01,033 --> 00:40:03,772 - Gordon: It looks absolutely gorgeous. - Yay. 912 00:40:03,805 --> 00:40:05,876 Aarón: I'm just blown away. It just makes you wanna smile. 913 00:40:05,876 --> 00:40:08,014 Amanda: I picked this dish for my daughter Hannah. 914 00:40:08,047 --> 00:40:12,823 The one issue I have is that Hannah's not here to taste it. 915 00:40:12,857 --> 00:40:15,028 - Continue your path. - Good luck. 916 00:40:15,061 --> 00:40:17,365 - Thank you so much. - Sometimes you set a goal, you don't reach it. 917 00:40:17,399 --> 00:40:19,570 You just have to find an alternative path, 918 00:40:19,604 --> 00:40:22,777 and that's what I hope to teach Hannah. 919 00:40:24,012 --> 00:40:25,883 Gordon: Oh, man. 920 00:40:25,883 --> 00:40:28,254 It was not the way this was supposed to go. 921 00:40:28,254 --> 00:40:29,624 Don't you dare give up. 922 00:40:29,624 --> 00:40:31,060 I was here to get that trophy, 923 00:40:31,093 --> 00:40:33,064 but the challenge beat us. 924 00:40:33,097 --> 00:40:35,602 I'm not gonna get a chance to come back and do this again. 925 00:40:35,636 --> 00:40:38,407 This is just the end of the road. 926 00:40:38,441 --> 00:40:41,948 When I walked in to the MasterChef kitchen this season, 927 00:40:41,982 --> 00:40:45,121 I had a lot of new techniques that I've learned 928 00:40:45,154 --> 00:40:47,660 and mastered over the years. 929 00:40:47,660 --> 00:40:49,831 Beautiful. Look at that. 930 00:40:49,864 --> 00:40:51,735 I think I showed the judges I'm more comfortable 931 00:40:51,768 --> 00:40:53,104 taking risks because I can back them up. 932 00:40:53,137 --> 00:40:55,943 Gordon: The lobster is cooked beautifully. 933 00:40:58,180 --> 00:40:59,383 Rock on, man. 934 00:40:59,416 --> 00:41:01,286 But, look, I'm disappointed 935 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:03,424 'cause I had so much more to show. 936 00:41:03,424 --> 00:41:05,796 That's the hard part. 937 00:41:05,829 --> 00:41:08,802 Season six, I made it all the way to the finale, 938 00:41:08,835 --> 00:41:12,409 and I really wanted to come back to win "MasterChef." 939 00:41:12,442 --> 00:41:14,947 - Christian: See you later, Derrick! - Willie: Love y'all. 940 00:41:14,981 --> 00:41:17,653 - Bye. - And even though it's leaving 941 00:41:17,687 --> 00:41:19,156 in a different way than I imagined, 942 00:41:19,189 --> 00:41:22,062 it's not the end, and I'm not going to give up. 943 00:41:25,201 --> 00:41:27,873 Gordon: Next time, it's restaurant takeover... 944 00:41:27,907 --> 00:41:30,278 You have to run the world famous Spago. 945 00:41:30,311 --> 00:41:31,981 ...with a MasterChef legend. 946 00:41:32,015 --> 00:41:33,819 Wolfgang Puck! 947 00:41:33,819 --> 00:41:37,158 You're going to put the reputation of Spago on the line. 948 00:41:37,192 --> 00:41:38,762 Feeling the pressure. 949 00:41:38,795 --> 00:41:41,133 But with the semifinals up for grabs... 950 00:41:41,133 --> 00:41:43,104 - Where's the duck? - Getting that skin crispy. 951 00:41:43,137 --> 00:41:46,377 ...the top six face a challenge of epic proportions. 952 00:41:46,410 --> 00:41:47,913 - Somebody help her! - Just put it down. 953 00:41:47,980 --> 00:41:49,416 - Come on, Emily. - Get your ( bleep ) together! 954 00:41:49,449 --> 00:41:50,853 Willie, I need to know what you're doing. 955 00:41:50,919 --> 00:41:53,357 - Willie, please! - It's ( bleep ) freezing! 956 00:41:53,391 --> 00:41:54,927 ( bleeping ) 957 00:41:54,961 --> 00:41:56,363 This is much harder than you could ever imagine. 958 00:41:56,397 --> 00:41:57,967 - Stop plating ( bleep ). - Yes, Chef. 959 00:41:58,000 --> 00:42:00,104 - This is not right, it's on you. - Shut it. 960 00:42:00,138 --> 00:42:01,741 It's ( bleep ) raw. 961 00:42:01,741 --> 00:42:04,212 What are you trying to do, close down Spago?