1 00:00:01,102 --> 00:00:03,373 Gordon: Previously on "MasterChef: Back to Win," 2 00:00:03,406 --> 00:00:06,379 the top six faced the notorious restaurant takeover. 3 00:00:06,412 --> 00:00:08,416 Ladies and gentlemen, Wolfgang Puck! 4 00:00:08,416 --> 00:00:11,857 You're going to put the reputation of Spago on the line. 5 00:00:11,891 --> 00:00:13,426 Feeling the pressure. 6 00:00:13,460 --> 00:00:15,497 But in the fight to reach the semifinals... 7 00:00:15,532 --> 00:00:17,034 Where's the duck? 8 00:00:17,034 --> 00:00:18,236 Just put it down. Come on, Emily. 9 00:00:18,270 --> 00:00:19,305 Get your ( bleep ) together! 10 00:00:19,338 --> 00:00:21,242 Uh-oh. It's ( bleep ) raw. 11 00:00:21,276 --> 00:00:23,246 What you trying to do, close down Spago? 12 00:00:23,246 --> 00:00:25,250 - ( bleep ) - ...one cook didn't make the cut. 13 00:00:25,284 --> 00:00:28,023 That person is Willie. 14 00:00:28,023 --> 00:00:29,492 - Tonight... - ( screaming ) 15 00:00:29,526 --> 00:00:31,730 ...it's the fire and ice semifinals. 16 00:00:31,764 --> 00:00:34,703 You'll be competing in two challenges tonight. 17 00:00:34,703 --> 00:00:38,376 Unfortunately, we only have room for three of you in the finale. 18 00:00:38,410 --> 00:00:42,986 All of you will be preparing an iconic dessert. 19 00:00:43,019 --> 00:00:46,527 - Baked Alaska. - Fire and ice, baby. 20 00:00:46,527 --> 00:00:51,035 Your next challenge will be replicating one of my signature dishes. 21 00:00:51,069 --> 00:00:52,572 Oh, God. 22 00:00:52,606 --> 00:00:55,310 Left to right, right to left, and push. 23 00:00:55,310 --> 00:00:57,448 What are we doing, a TikTok dance? 24 00:00:57,481 --> 00:01:00,020 Michael: I'm doing whatever it takes to get in that finale. 25 00:01:00,053 --> 00:01:02,324 I will not go home today. 26 00:01:02,358 --> 00:01:05,665 - ( bleep ) - This is insanity. 27 00:01:15,785 --> 00:01:17,254 - What? - Whoa. 28 00:01:17,321 --> 00:01:18,824 - That's awesome. - Oh, my God. 29 00:01:18,824 --> 00:01:21,797 Shanika: Is it snowing in the MasterChef kitchen? 30 00:01:21,797 --> 00:01:23,968 It looks amazing. 31 00:01:24,001 --> 00:01:25,037 Look at this! 32 00:01:25,037 --> 00:01:27,374 - Wow. - Oh, my God. 33 00:01:27,408 --> 00:01:28,945 There's snow falling in the kitchen. 34 00:01:28,978 --> 00:01:31,449 What in the hell do these judges 35 00:01:31,482 --> 00:01:32,919 have up their sleeves today? 36 00:01:32,953 --> 00:01:34,422 - Whoo. - Oh, boy. 37 00:01:34,455 --> 00:01:37,461 - ( screaming ) - Oh, my God! 38 00:01:37,494 --> 00:01:41,369 Christian: Can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! 39 00:01:41,402 --> 00:01:43,039 - Fire and ice, baby. - Right. 40 00:01:43,073 --> 00:01:46,312 Welcome to the fire and ice semifinals. 41 00:01:46,346 --> 00:01:47,816 - Yes. - Unbelievable. 42 00:01:47,816 --> 00:01:49,853 Tonight, if you keep your cool, 43 00:01:49,853 --> 00:01:52,859 you will be one step closer to being up there-- 44 00:01:52,892 --> 00:01:54,495 part of "MasterChef" history. 45 00:01:54,529 --> 00:01:57,502 Okay, guys, there's five of you here right now, 46 00:01:57,502 --> 00:02:02,378 but unfortunately we only have room for three of you in the finale. 47 00:02:02,411 --> 00:02:05,384 That means tonight two of you will be going home. 48 00:02:05,417 --> 00:02:09,392 - Wow. - You will competing in two separate challenges 49 00:02:09,392 --> 00:02:10,795 in the semifinals tonight. 50 00:02:10,828 --> 00:02:13,634 - Oh, my God. - And in each of tonight's challenges, 51 00:02:13,668 --> 00:02:17,876 whoever cooks the worst dish will be immediately eliminated. 52 00:02:17,909 --> 00:02:20,748 - Oh, man. - My heart is beating. 53 00:02:20,782 --> 00:02:22,451 I know. This is crazy. 54 00:02:22,484 --> 00:02:24,121 Now for your first challenge tonight, 55 00:02:24,121 --> 00:02:27,696 all of you will be preparing an iconic dessert 56 00:02:27,729 --> 00:02:30,835 that is the perfect merging of fire and ice... 57 00:02:34,576 --> 00:02:37,649 an incredible... 58 00:02:37,682 --> 00:02:39,686 stunning baked Alaska. 59 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:43,627 It's one of the most technically difficult ice cream desserts to master, 60 00:02:43,661 --> 00:02:46,567 requiring a lot of time and ingredient management. 61 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:48,738 - Oh, God. - Oh, my goodness. 62 00:02:48,738 --> 00:02:50,440 Oh, ( bleep ). 63 00:02:50,474 --> 00:02:52,612 So, baked Alaska. Have I ever made it? 64 00:02:52,645 --> 00:02:54,850 Abso-freaking-lutely not. Are you kidding me? 65 00:02:54,883 --> 00:02:57,522 We're pairing something cold with something hot 66 00:02:57,555 --> 00:02:59,392 which are natural opposites of one another, 67 00:02:59,425 --> 00:03:04,536 so every component of this dish needs to be technically accurate 68 00:03:04,569 --> 00:03:05,972 in order for it to come together. 69 00:03:06,005 --> 00:03:07,842 Oh, my God. 70 00:03:07,842 --> 00:03:10,681 Now when you order a baked Alaska at a restaurant, 71 00:03:10,715 --> 00:03:13,420 it's flambéed tableside. 72 00:03:13,453 --> 00:03:15,725 - Lights, please. - Ooh. 73 00:03:15,725 --> 00:03:17,796 Gordon: Making it the ultimate showstopper. 74 00:03:17,829 --> 00:03:22,371 - Both: Wow. - Oh, my God. Insanity. It's beautiful. 75 00:03:22,404 --> 00:03:24,576 Gordon: That flambé caramelizes that Swiss meringue. 76 00:03:24,609 --> 00:03:26,647 Oh, my God. This is gonna be hard. 77 00:03:27,481 --> 00:03:29,586 Gordon: Now look at that. 78 00:03:29,586 --> 00:03:31,690 Decadent layers of sponge cake, 79 00:03:31,690 --> 00:03:34,061 delicious ice cream, and Swiss meringue. 80 00:03:34,128 --> 00:03:35,565 - Mmm. - Wow. 81 00:03:35,598 --> 00:03:37,167 Each layer must be prepared 82 00:03:37,201 --> 00:03:38,904 with the ultimate perfect timing 83 00:03:38,938 --> 00:03:41,375 or else it'll all fall apart. 84 00:03:41,409 --> 00:03:43,179 Yeah, it'll melt into a puddle. 85 00:03:43,213 --> 00:03:45,651 Joe: You'll each have 75 minutes... 86 00:03:45,651 --> 00:03:47,387 Ooh. 87 00:03:47,421 --> 00:03:49,960 ...to prepare your very own baked Alaska. 88 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:51,496 Oh, my gosh. 89 00:03:51,530 --> 00:03:54,468 Gordon: But to pull it off, you need precise control 90 00:03:54,468 --> 00:03:56,740 over all the tools in your kitchen, 91 00:03:56,774 --> 00:03:59,178 like those incredible Viking Ranges-- 92 00:03:59,211 --> 00:04:00,581 a chef's dream. 93 00:04:00,615 --> 00:04:02,484 At the end of the challenge, 94 00:04:02,519 --> 00:04:05,190 four of you will move on to the second phase 95 00:04:05,190 --> 00:04:07,428 of the semifinals. 96 00:04:07,461 --> 00:04:09,198 It's time to get fired up. Everybody ready? 97 00:04:09,198 --> 00:04:10,968 All: Yes, Chef. 98 00:04:11,002 --> 00:04:14,609 Your 75 minutes start now. 99 00:04:14,609 --> 00:04:15,912 - Gordon: Let's go. - Go, go, go, go, go. 100 00:04:15,945 --> 00:04:17,816 I'm going, I'm going, I'm going! 101 00:04:17,849 --> 00:04:20,220 Baskets! Baskets. 102 00:04:20,253 --> 00:04:21,623 - Okay. - Here, here. 103 00:04:21,657 --> 00:04:23,493 - I got it. - Where's the buttermilk? 104 00:04:23,493 --> 00:04:25,698 - All right, give me this. - Okay, flour. 105 00:04:26,967 --> 00:04:27,969 Emily: Come on. 106 00:04:29,105 --> 00:04:30,775 It should be ready. 107 00:04:30,842 --> 00:04:32,779 Shanika: Perfect. 108 00:04:32,779 --> 00:04:35,484 Baked Alaska is not something I'm familiar with. 109 00:04:35,551 --> 00:04:40,327 It's known to be one of the most complex desserts possible. 110 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,466 There's a lot of components. We got ice cream. We got to do a perfect cake. 111 00:04:43,501 --> 00:04:45,036 This is like three desserts in one. 112 00:04:45,070 --> 00:04:46,573 Getting everything right here 113 00:04:46,607 --> 00:04:49,478 without skipping a beat, this is not gonna be easy. 114 00:04:49,513 --> 00:04:50,982 I'm doing whatever it takes to get in that finale. 115 00:04:51,015 --> 00:04:52,986 I will not go home today. 116 00:04:53,019 --> 00:04:56,058 Oh, yeah. It smells so good. 117 00:04:56,092 --> 00:04:59,566 I'm making a peach ice cream with a raspberry swirl 118 00:04:59,599 --> 00:05:01,503 and a vanilla sponge cake. 119 00:05:01,537 --> 00:05:04,008 I've made baked Alaskas multiple times 120 00:05:04,041 --> 00:05:06,547 and I understand the processes. 121 00:05:06,580 --> 00:05:08,651 So this is a chance for me to show the judges my technique, 122 00:05:08,717 --> 00:05:12,457 but also that I'm able to manage time and work under pressure. 123 00:05:12,491 --> 00:05:15,263 I want this so badly. I'm so close to the finale. 124 00:05:15,263 --> 00:05:18,136 I know what it feels like to be in the finale. 125 00:05:18,136 --> 00:05:20,775 So I just want to get there. 126 00:05:20,808 --> 00:05:22,946 Emily: Oh, perfect. 127 00:05:22,979 --> 00:05:24,583 Christian: Let's go, baby. 128 00:05:24,616 --> 00:05:25,952 Shanika: All right, go-time. 129 00:05:25,985 --> 00:05:28,389 Gordon: Our first ever baked Alaska challenge. 130 00:05:28,423 --> 00:05:31,897 Even the most talented of pastry chefs in America fear this dessert. 131 00:05:31,930 --> 00:05:33,333 Joe: There's so many components to this 132 00:05:33,366 --> 00:05:35,303 that are technical and scientific 133 00:05:35,337 --> 00:05:37,174 that you never know who's gonna rise to the top 134 00:05:37,174 --> 00:05:38,677 on this kind of a challenge. 135 00:05:38,711 --> 00:05:40,815 - This is literal insanity. - This is complicated. 136 00:05:40,815 --> 00:05:43,988 You got sponge, you got ice cream, meringue. What's the first step? 137 00:05:44,021 --> 00:05:46,660 - The first one is the sponge, okay? - Aarón: Yeah, the cake. 138 00:05:46,693 --> 00:05:48,496 - Gordon: You've got to get that in the oven. - Shanika: Yes, cake. 139 00:05:48,531 --> 00:05:50,033 And then ice cream? 140 00:05:50,066 --> 00:05:51,737 Listen, we've got the fast track to make an ice cream 141 00:05:51,770 --> 00:05:53,807 with that liquid nitrogen, which is incredible. 142 00:05:53,841 --> 00:05:55,678 But it's all about how you flavor this ice cream tonight, 143 00:05:55,711 --> 00:05:58,316 because the more ingredients you have, 144 00:05:58,316 --> 00:05:59,586 it's gonna be hard for the ice cream to set. 145 00:05:59,619 --> 00:06:02,224 Therefore, the potential danger 146 00:06:02,257 --> 00:06:03,794 is for that Swiss meringue to fall off. 147 00:06:03,827 --> 00:06:05,063 Dara: Here we go. 148 00:06:05,063 --> 00:06:07,635 Gordon: 60 minutes remaining. 149 00:06:07,635 --> 00:06:10,908 Sponges should be in the oven. 150 00:06:12,211 --> 00:06:14,348 Emily: All right. We're in. 151 00:06:14,381 --> 00:06:17,722 Right, Shanika, tell me about this baked Alaska. 152 00:06:17,755 --> 00:06:20,561 - I'm doing a strawberry lemon basil ice cream... - Wow. 153 00:06:20,595 --> 00:06:22,999 - ...with a classic vanilla sponge. - Sounds delicious. 154 00:06:23,032 --> 00:06:26,072 Just be careful. That lemon juice can separate that ice cream. 155 00:06:26,105 --> 00:06:28,911 - Heard, Chef. - Now get that ice cream in the freezer. 156 00:06:28,944 --> 00:06:30,881 The more that sets in there, the better. 157 00:06:30,915 --> 00:06:32,251 - Yes, Chef. - You've got this, yes? 158 00:06:32,284 --> 00:06:33,988 - I got it, Chef. - Come on, girl. 159 00:06:35,357 --> 00:06:37,227 Come on, man. 160 00:06:37,261 --> 00:06:39,198 Dara: We got this. 161 00:06:39,231 --> 00:06:42,672 - Emily, what's happening? - Joe! 162 00:06:42,705 --> 00:06:44,676 What's the plan, Emily? What do you got? 163 00:06:44,709 --> 00:06:46,345 For the baked Alaska, I'm gonna do a chocolate base, 164 00:06:46,345 --> 00:06:48,349 topped with a goat cheese cherry ice cream, 165 00:06:48,349 --> 00:06:50,053 - perfect Swiss meringue. - Joe: Ooh-la-la. 166 00:06:50,086 --> 00:06:53,661 I've never heard of putting a savory, strong stinky cheese 167 00:06:53,694 --> 00:06:56,365 like goat cheese in a baked Alaska. 168 00:06:56,399 --> 00:06:57,902 - Emily: No? - You think that's risky? 169 00:06:57,936 --> 00:07:00,875 I like the flavor combination, but it is a weird one. 170 00:07:00,908 --> 00:07:02,110 - Aarón: Thank you. - All right, good luck, Emily. 171 00:07:02,110 --> 00:07:03,981 Thank you. 172 00:07:04,014 --> 00:07:06,853 - Dara: That's it. - Christian: Perfect. 173 00:07:07,956 --> 00:07:09,291 Michael: This is good, this is good. 174 00:07:09,291 --> 00:07:12,331 Gordon: 45 minutes remaining. 175 00:07:12,364 --> 00:07:14,703 Heard, Chef. 176 00:07:14,769 --> 00:07:16,305 Guys, you've got to set that ice cream in the freezer 177 00:07:16,339 --> 00:07:18,376 for at least 15 minutes. 178 00:07:18,409 --> 00:07:20,982 - Say a little prayer. - Whoo. 179 00:07:21,015 --> 00:07:24,388 Shanika: Halfway through this bake, I start panicking 180 00:07:24,388 --> 00:07:26,660 because it seems that I am behind. 181 00:07:26,693 --> 00:07:29,231 Everybody else has their ice cream started already. 182 00:07:29,264 --> 00:07:31,570 Dara: It's almost there. 183 00:07:31,570 --> 00:07:34,709 - Gordon: Shanika, you've got to start the ice cream. - Heard, Chef. 184 00:07:34,709 --> 00:07:35,945 You're gonna have no time in the freezer, 185 00:07:35,945 --> 00:07:37,915 - and it'll be melting. - Heard, Chef. 186 00:07:37,949 --> 00:07:41,823 The most important thing in a baked Alaska is the ice cream. 187 00:07:41,823 --> 00:07:45,798 So if you don't have the ice cream, you don't have a baked Alaska. 188 00:07:45,831 --> 00:07:49,071 I wouldn't be putting another flavor in my ice cream now 'cause it's just not gonna set. 189 00:07:49,104 --> 00:07:50,407 Heard, Chef. 190 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:52,110 This is the shot at the finale right now, 191 00:07:52,110 --> 00:07:54,381 and I am not gonna let ice cream take me down. 192 00:07:54,415 --> 00:07:56,887 MasterChef gods, be with me tonight. 193 00:08:10,213 --> 00:08:12,117 Gordon: 40 minutes remaining. 194 00:08:12,150 --> 00:08:16,492 Guys, you've got to set the ice cream in the freezer. 195 00:08:16,492 --> 00:08:17,729 The more that sets in there, the better. 196 00:08:17,729 --> 00:08:19,933 Michael: Beautiful. 197 00:08:24,341 --> 00:08:28,951 - Have to freeze. - Here we go. 198 00:08:28,984 --> 00:08:31,523 - Ooh. - Everybody else has their ice cream 199 00:08:31,523 --> 00:08:35,731 in the freezer right now, and I am still over here adding liquid nitrogen. 200 00:08:35,798 --> 00:08:38,804 That's it. But I don't have any choice but to push through. 201 00:08:38,837 --> 00:08:41,943 Shanika, you got to get moving and get that into a mold. 202 00:08:41,977 --> 00:08:43,246 - Let's go. Come on! - Shanika: Yes, Chef. 203 00:08:43,279 --> 00:08:44,783 Gordon: Quick. In the freezer. 204 00:08:44,783 --> 00:08:46,686 Yes, Chef. I need my spot in that finale. 205 00:08:47,487 --> 00:08:49,224 To the freezer you go. 206 00:08:49,224 --> 00:08:52,064 Yes. There you go. 207 00:08:54,569 --> 00:08:56,940 30 minutes remaining. Last half an hour, come on. 208 00:08:56,973 --> 00:08:59,746 Start working on those meringues. 209 00:08:59,779 --> 00:09:02,217 This is where it's made or broken. 210 00:09:03,754 --> 00:09:04,889 Okay. 211 00:09:05,925 --> 00:09:07,360 Whew! 212 00:09:07,394 --> 00:09:09,031 - Christian. - Yes, Chef. 213 00:09:09,064 --> 00:09:10,768 All right, so talk to us about what you're making. 214 00:09:10,768 --> 00:09:13,707 I'm making a praline pecan baked Alaska. 215 00:09:13,741 --> 00:09:15,511 So what's the flavor in your sponge? 216 00:09:15,511 --> 00:09:17,080 Christian: It's a vanilla. Simple vanilla cake. 217 00:09:17,114 --> 00:09:18,817 All right, so what's going on with your meringue? 218 00:09:18,851 --> 00:09:20,253 Christian: It's looking good right now. 219 00:09:20,286 --> 00:09:23,025 Aarón: Last thing you need to do is pipe and assemble. 220 00:09:23,059 --> 00:09:25,463 - Right. - Don't underestimate how long that process is gonna take. 221 00:09:25,497 --> 00:09:27,334 - I'm not. I got you. - Joe: Good luck. 222 00:09:29,037 --> 00:09:31,041 Gorgeous. 223 00:09:31,075 --> 00:09:32,545 Right, young man, how you feeling? 224 00:09:32,578 --> 00:09:33,914 You know, I'm feeling pretty good. 225 00:09:33,947 --> 00:09:36,051 I got ice cream already molded in the freezer, 226 00:09:36,051 --> 00:09:39,057 cake's already cooled, meringue's already whipped. 227 00:09:39,057 --> 00:09:40,761 Good. Tell me about the ice cream. 228 00:09:40,795 --> 00:09:42,397 What kind of flavor you got going on in there? 229 00:09:42,431 --> 00:09:43,901 I am doing a bananas Foster ice cream. 230 00:09:43,934 --> 00:09:45,938 - Mm-hmm. - And I'm doing my beautiful 231 00:09:45,971 --> 00:09:48,476 bananas Foster drizzle that I'm gonna actually rub on this cake 232 00:09:48,510 --> 00:09:50,313 - with the liquor. - Right. 233 00:09:50,346 --> 00:09:52,852 - Gordon: Just be careful not to go too sweet. - Absolutely. 234 00:09:52,885 --> 00:09:55,290 - Have you tested your meringue? - I've tested it. 235 00:09:55,323 --> 00:09:58,329 Right, and in terms of volume, is that enough in there? That's all you've got? 236 00:09:58,362 --> 00:09:59,866 That's it. I think it'll be enough. 237 00:09:59,866 --> 00:10:02,003 So you have to be sparse with that. 238 00:10:02,003 --> 00:10:03,106 Make sure the ice cream is set, okay? 239 00:10:03,106 --> 00:10:04,776 - Good luck, young man. - You got it. 240 00:10:04,809 --> 00:10:07,047 Christian: Oh, yes. 241 00:10:07,080 --> 00:10:08,316 Yes. 242 00:10:10,386 --> 00:10:14,094 Please freeze, please freeze, please freeze, please freeze. 243 00:10:14,094 --> 00:10:16,499 - Hey, Dara. Good. - Hi, how are you? 244 00:10:16,533 --> 00:10:18,302 You keeping it steady today? 245 00:10:18,302 --> 00:10:20,240 Yeah, my meringue is whipping. 246 00:10:20,273 --> 00:10:22,979 My sponge, I'm gonna cut it out right now and prepare it. 247 00:10:22,979 --> 00:10:24,849 So I'm feeling really good on time. 248 00:10:24,883 --> 00:10:26,485 Are you gonna soak this with anything or no? 249 00:10:26,485 --> 00:10:28,156 I am. I have a vanilla simple syrup here. 250 00:10:28,156 --> 00:10:31,596 I really want to highlight those peach melba flavors-- 251 00:10:31,630 --> 00:10:33,199 peach, raspberry, and vanilla. 252 00:10:33,232 --> 00:10:34,969 Did you learn this at culinary school? 253 00:10:35,003 --> 00:10:37,040 In my restaurant pastry class, 254 00:10:37,073 --> 00:10:39,144 the dessert that I created was a baked Alaska. 255 00:10:39,178 --> 00:10:41,817 So you don't think anything can go wrong at this point? 256 00:10:41,850 --> 00:10:43,887 Something can always go wrong, Joe. 257 00:10:43,887 --> 00:10:45,423 - All right. Good luck, Dara. - All right. Thank you, Dara. 258 00:10:45,456 --> 00:10:46,526 Thank you. 259 00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:48,062 My cake. 260 00:10:50,166 --> 00:10:52,605 Michael: Oh, yes. 261 00:10:52,638 --> 00:10:54,007 - Exciting stuff out there. - Yes, absolutely. 262 00:10:54,041 --> 00:10:55,911 - Who's got an edge? - Come on, build. 263 00:10:55,911 --> 00:10:57,147 What you taking so long for? 264 00:10:57,180 --> 00:11:00,821 Shanika's going down quite an exotic route-- 265 00:11:00,855 --> 00:11:02,424 a strawberry lemon basil ice cream. 266 00:11:02,457 --> 00:11:04,228 - I like that. - Wow. 267 00:11:04,261 --> 00:11:05,931 Gordon: But desserts have never been her strong point, 268 00:11:05,965 --> 00:11:08,135 and this is a technical challenge tonight, 269 00:11:08,169 --> 00:11:10,608 so I'm hoping she is cooking with precision 270 00:11:10,608 --> 00:11:13,279 'cause you cannot guess a meringue. 271 00:11:13,312 --> 00:11:14,883 You cannot guess an ice cream. It needs to be exact. 272 00:11:14,883 --> 00:11:17,454 Come on, build, build. Come on, volume. 273 00:11:17,487 --> 00:11:20,293 - Okay. - Dara has the technical skills 274 00:11:20,293 --> 00:11:23,934 as a baker and pastry chef to really win this challenge. 275 00:11:23,967 --> 00:11:26,506 - Dara: You got this. - The issue is that at times 276 00:11:26,506 --> 00:11:28,075 she gets in her own head and collapses. 277 00:11:28,109 --> 00:11:30,480 Oh, heavy breathing, man. Heavy breathing. 278 00:11:30,514 --> 00:11:34,288 - We can do this. - Emily's playing a very aggressive game today. 279 00:11:34,321 --> 00:11:36,693 Chocolate cake, goat cheese, cherries... 280 00:11:36,726 --> 00:11:38,262 Come on, man. 281 00:11:38,296 --> 00:11:40,701 I've never tasted goat cheese in a baked Alaska. 282 00:11:40,734 --> 00:11:42,470 I cannot tell you the amount of jeopardy. 283 00:11:42,505 --> 00:11:44,308 If the ice cream is not set, 284 00:11:44,341 --> 00:11:45,945 this whole thing can melt. 285 00:11:45,978 --> 00:11:47,682 This combination of flavors is very risky. 286 00:11:47,715 --> 00:11:49,552 She's either gonna hit it out of the park 287 00:11:49,586 --> 00:11:51,388 or fall flat on her face. 288 00:11:51,422 --> 00:11:53,159 Gordon: 20 minutes to go. 289 00:11:53,192 --> 00:11:55,898 All right, deep breaths. 20 minutes. 290 00:11:55,931 --> 00:11:57,868 All my components are prepared. 291 00:11:57,902 --> 00:12:01,910 I'm ready to put it together, but I go get my ice cream 292 00:12:01,943 --> 00:12:04,649 and I can just see that this is not set. 293 00:12:04,682 --> 00:12:07,087 No. What's going on? 294 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:08,657 Freezing doesn't happen quickly. 295 00:12:08,690 --> 00:12:10,861 Got to firm up. Got to firm up. 296 00:12:10,894 --> 00:12:13,132 But I don't have hours to let my ice cream sit in the freezer. 297 00:12:13,165 --> 00:12:15,638 I've got minutes. All right, I have ten minutes. 298 00:12:15,671 --> 00:12:17,073 It's got to come out in ten minutes. 299 00:12:17,073 --> 00:12:19,144 It's a little bit like déjà vu. 300 00:12:19,177 --> 00:12:22,384 I know what it's like to go out on a temperature control challenge 301 00:12:22,384 --> 00:12:24,121 - when it doesn't go your way. - Come on. 302 00:12:24,154 --> 00:12:26,726 But I don't want to repeat history, 303 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:29,164 so today is literally the most pressure 304 00:12:29,197 --> 00:12:32,170 that I have felt in the kitchen thus far. 305 00:12:32,203 --> 00:12:34,074 This is insanity. 306 00:12:43,125 --> 00:12:45,496 Gordon: We're down to the last ten minutes. Come on. 307 00:12:45,531 --> 00:12:46,533 Keep it going, please. 308 00:12:46,566 --> 00:12:48,904 This is insanity. 309 00:12:51,141 --> 00:12:53,747 Shanika: Hell yeah. Gorgeous. 310 00:12:53,747 --> 00:12:55,851 Yeah, I think that's it. 311 00:12:57,253 --> 00:12:59,391 Dara: You got this. 312 00:12:59,424 --> 00:13:01,563 - Gordon: Less is more, Christian. - Christian: Yes, Chef. 313 00:13:01,563 --> 00:13:03,332 - Gordon: Take your time, Shanika. - Shanika: Yes, Chef. 314 00:13:03,366 --> 00:13:05,136 Deep breath. Come on. 315 00:13:05,169 --> 00:13:07,407 Oh, come on. It's melting on the bottom. 316 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:10,013 All right, everyone, five minutes! Five minutes. 317 00:13:10,046 --> 00:13:11,382 - Let's go. - Yes, Chef. 318 00:13:11,415 --> 00:13:13,052 Aarón: Come on, Christian. Move it, move it. 319 00:13:13,085 --> 00:13:14,656 Emily: It is sliding off the cake. 320 00:13:14,689 --> 00:13:16,760 Why is this happening? 321 00:13:16,793 --> 00:13:18,730 Michael: Oh, shoot. 322 00:13:18,764 --> 00:13:20,901 Guys, Michael has run out of meringue. 323 00:13:20,934 --> 00:13:23,105 - Joe: What? - Gordon: Look at that. He's now just using the palate knife 324 00:13:23,139 --> 00:13:24,676 over the egg whites to smear it on. 325 00:13:24,709 --> 00:13:26,345 That's not the way to do it. 326 00:13:26,378 --> 00:13:28,349 - Gordon: Wow. - Michael: Oh, my God. 327 00:13:28,382 --> 00:13:30,119 Gordon: Two and a half minutes to go. 328 00:13:30,153 --> 00:13:33,292 - Come on, start torching. - Come on. 329 00:13:33,292 --> 00:13:36,533 You want a nice color on that egg white, okay? Let's go. 330 00:13:36,566 --> 00:13:39,037 Oh, my God. It looks terrible. 331 00:13:39,071 --> 00:13:41,342 Down to the last ten seconds! 332 00:13:41,375 --> 00:13:43,079 Ten, nine... 333 00:13:43,112 --> 00:13:46,151 Judges: Eight, seven, six, 334 00:13:46,185 --> 00:13:50,059 five, four, three, two, one. 335 00:13:50,059 --> 00:13:52,230 - Aarón: Hands in the air. - Gordon: Well done! 336 00:13:52,263 --> 00:13:53,199 Oh! 337 00:13:53,232 --> 00:13:56,639 Gordon: Oh, my goodness me. 338 00:13:56,673 --> 00:13:58,777 Michael: Whew, that was a close one. 339 00:13:58,810 --> 00:14:00,647 That was a really stressful 75 minutes. 340 00:14:00,647 --> 00:14:02,384 Emily: Oh, damn it. 341 00:14:02,417 --> 00:14:06,225 Gordon: First of all, well done. That's a very tough challenge. 342 00:14:06,258 --> 00:14:08,496 First up, Dara. 343 00:14:08,530 --> 00:14:12,103 I'm really happy with how my baked Alaska turned out, 344 00:14:12,103 --> 00:14:15,309 but I'm not gonna know what it looks like on the inside 345 00:14:15,343 --> 00:14:19,084 or tastes like until the judges cut open that cake. 346 00:14:19,084 --> 00:14:21,856 Now describe that beautiful baked Alaska. 347 00:14:21,856 --> 00:14:25,229 So tonight I prepared a peach melba baked Alaska 348 00:14:25,263 --> 00:14:28,570 with a vanilla sponge cake and a peach ice cream 349 00:14:28,603 --> 00:14:30,173 with a raspberry swirl. 350 00:14:35,818 --> 00:14:37,621 Gordon: Shall we, gentlemen? 351 00:14:42,631 --> 00:14:45,403 It's very delicate, very soft, 352 00:14:45,436 --> 00:14:47,508 and it works with the creamy softness of the ice cream. 353 00:14:47,508 --> 00:14:49,077 Very good. 354 00:14:49,111 --> 00:14:51,048 Aarón: The ice cream is really what catches my palate. 355 00:14:51,081 --> 00:14:54,187 Peaches are so floral, and the idea of raspberry being in there as well, 356 00:14:54,221 --> 00:14:55,724 I just think it's amazing. 357 00:14:55,791 --> 00:14:58,329 Slightly too heavy on the sponge. 358 00:14:58,362 --> 00:15:00,266 But I think you've hit the jackpot on the Swiss meringue. 359 00:15:00,299 --> 00:15:03,205 - Good job. - Thank you, Chef. Thank you. 360 00:15:05,778 --> 00:15:08,617 Right, next up, Shanika, let's go, please. 361 00:15:10,486 --> 00:15:15,531 I was scared that I wouldn't get my ice cream finished, 362 00:15:15,564 --> 00:15:17,535 but I got it done, and it looks good. 363 00:15:17,568 --> 00:15:20,173 So now I'm just hoping that my flavors are there 364 00:15:20,206 --> 00:15:23,145 because I need to get to the finale. 365 00:15:23,179 --> 00:15:26,753 Today I have a strawberry lemon basil baked Alaska 366 00:15:26,786 --> 00:15:29,725 with a traditional vanilla sponge cake. 367 00:15:29,759 --> 00:15:31,128 Gordon: Beautiful. 368 00:15:43,753 --> 00:15:45,389 Joe: The sponge tastes good. 369 00:15:45,456 --> 00:15:47,160 It's a little bit dense for my liking, 370 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:48,597 not quite as elegant as I would've hoped. 371 00:15:48,597 --> 00:15:50,901 But the flavors of the ice cream make sense, 372 00:15:50,934 --> 00:15:52,605 and altogether it works. 373 00:15:52,605 --> 00:15:55,544 Yeah, for me, I think that your meringue is very aerated. 374 00:15:55,544 --> 00:15:57,347 It's really well done. 375 00:15:57,347 --> 00:16:00,319 Shanika, sponge way too thick, so the ratios are wrong. 376 00:16:00,353 --> 00:16:02,490 But what's good about this is the flavor of the ice cream. 377 00:16:02,490 --> 00:16:04,394 The lemon, it's fragrant. It's delicious. 378 00:16:04,427 --> 00:16:05,697 - Good job. - Thank you, Chef. 379 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:12,277 Okay, Christian, please bring us your baked Alaska. 380 00:16:12,310 --> 00:16:15,216 I'm nervous. There's two of us going home tonight. 381 00:16:15,249 --> 00:16:17,220 And I'm just hoping and praying 382 00:16:17,220 --> 00:16:19,424 that my baked Alaska is enough 383 00:16:19,457 --> 00:16:20,694 to get me through to the next round. 384 00:16:20,761 --> 00:16:23,265 I've prepared for you tonight 385 00:16:23,299 --> 00:16:27,207 a praline pecan baked Alaska with a vanilla cake 386 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:29,177 and bourbon flambé. 387 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:35,724 Aarón: Nice. 388 00:16:35,757 --> 00:16:37,393 Joe: Ooh-la-la. 389 00:16:41,536 --> 00:16:45,343 There's something magic about pralines and bourbon, right? 390 00:16:45,376 --> 00:16:48,449 It has a real Southern flair to it, and the dish is delicious. 391 00:16:48,482 --> 00:16:51,656 Aarón: Yeah, Christian, I think you overcooked half of that sponge cake. 392 00:16:51,689 --> 00:16:54,494 But the ice cream, for me, is well executed, 393 00:16:54,494 --> 00:16:56,298 and the texture with the pralines in there 394 00:16:56,331 --> 00:16:57,701 is something that keeps your palate going 395 00:16:57,735 --> 00:16:59,204 and wanting another bite. 396 00:16:59,237 --> 00:17:00,339 Young man, you're playing to your strengths. 397 00:17:00,373 --> 00:17:01,876 You know, the praline, delicious. 398 00:17:01,910 --> 00:17:04,180 Here's the issue. Your sponge is dry. 399 00:17:04,214 --> 00:17:07,453 But a near perfect baked Alaska. Really good job. 400 00:17:07,453 --> 00:17:08,590 Thank you. 401 00:17:13,967 --> 00:17:17,473 Right, next up, Emily, please. 402 00:17:17,508 --> 00:17:20,647 Bringing my baked Alaska up to the judges is definitely nerve-wracking 403 00:17:20,681 --> 00:17:23,553 because what happens when you mix cheese into an ice cream, 404 00:17:23,553 --> 00:17:25,724 the ice cream can melt a little bit faster. 405 00:17:25,757 --> 00:17:28,429 And at this point, I know that this is a huge mistake. 406 00:17:28,462 --> 00:17:31,034 This is a goat cheese cherry baked Alaska 407 00:17:31,068 --> 00:17:34,642 - with a chocolate cake. - Joe: Cream's melting. 408 00:17:34,675 --> 00:17:37,681 Well, it's gonna be a puddle if we don't hurry up and eat. Please. 409 00:17:42,758 --> 00:17:45,530 What I'm really concerned about is everything's just melting 410 00:17:45,597 --> 00:17:47,668 - to a puddle of ice cream. - It's all over here. 411 00:17:47,701 --> 00:17:50,406 It just-- it didn't have the right construction. It's falling apart. 412 00:17:50,473 --> 00:17:52,410 But I do appreciate the flavor of the goat cheese 413 00:17:52,443 --> 00:17:53,780 because it gives a savoriness to it 414 00:17:53,780 --> 00:17:55,751 which I really think works well with the vanilla 415 00:17:55,784 --> 00:17:57,688 going through that ice cream. 416 00:17:57,721 --> 00:18:02,598 Good news is that the contrast of flavors is good. 417 00:18:02,598 --> 00:18:05,469 The bad news is that this is not an ice cream dessert. 418 00:18:05,504 --> 00:18:08,008 This is a cream, and you can't serve 419 00:18:08,042 --> 00:18:10,479 an ice cream dessert with a cream. 420 00:18:11,549 --> 00:18:12,551 Thank you, Emily. 421 00:18:14,555 --> 00:18:16,358 All right, Michael. 422 00:18:16,358 --> 00:18:17,761 Michael: I'm petrified right now. 423 00:18:17,795 --> 00:18:19,832 The meringue, I ran out of and had to spread it out, 424 00:18:19,865 --> 00:18:22,103 which caused it to kind of get a little grainy, 425 00:18:22,103 --> 00:18:23,707 but the flavors are there. 426 00:18:23,740 --> 00:18:24,809 Let's hope it's enough 427 00:18:24,809 --> 00:18:26,078 to keep me in this kitchen. 428 00:18:26,111 --> 00:18:28,315 Today I've made a bananas Foster baked Alaska 429 00:18:28,349 --> 00:18:30,219 with a brown butter cake. 430 00:18:39,605 --> 00:18:41,643 Sponge cake's a little bit dense, 431 00:18:41,676 --> 00:18:43,546 but the fact that you soaked it helps. 432 00:18:43,580 --> 00:18:45,817 My question is, is it good enough? 433 00:18:45,851 --> 00:18:48,623 Yeah, the Michael, the idea of bananas I think worked well, 434 00:18:48,623 --> 00:18:51,395 but the ice cream for me is really overpowering and sweet. 435 00:18:51,395 --> 00:18:54,635 - Okay. - Michael, visually, the egg whites 436 00:18:54,635 --> 00:18:57,006 are nowhere near as smooth and silky as they should be, 437 00:18:57,040 --> 00:18:59,311 and then you used them sparingly. 438 00:18:59,311 --> 00:19:02,551 So ice cream tastes good, but it's sweet on sweet on sweet. 439 00:19:02,584 --> 00:19:03,653 Thank you. 440 00:19:07,828 --> 00:19:11,502 All of you, make your way down here. Thank you. 441 00:19:11,536 --> 00:19:13,873 ( bleep ) 442 00:19:17,781 --> 00:19:21,923 Okay, five talented cooks stand before us. 443 00:19:21,956 --> 00:19:24,528 Only four of you will move forward 444 00:19:24,562 --> 00:19:27,568 to the next stage of the semifinals. 445 00:19:27,568 --> 00:19:32,778 We all agree that Christian and Dara's baked Alaska 446 00:19:32,811 --> 00:19:36,485 was the best of the night. Congratulations. 447 00:19:36,519 --> 00:19:38,590 Head up to the safety of the balcony. 448 00:19:38,623 --> 00:19:40,594 Great job. 449 00:19:41,662 --> 00:19:45,804 The next person moving forward is... 450 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:49,745 Shanika. 451 00:19:49,779 --> 00:19:52,951 Shanika: Mine wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst. 452 00:19:52,951 --> 00:19:55,924 And now I have to mentally prepare myself for the next challenge. 453 00:19:55,957 --> 00:19:59,030 Emily and Michael, Joe, Aarón, and myself agree 454 00:19:59,030 --> 00:20:02,036 the person not moving forward 455 00:20:02,070 --> 00:20:03,907 to the second stage of the semifinals, 456 00:20:03,907 --> 00:20:05,777 that person is... 457 00:20:08,817 --> 00:20:10,721 Emily. 458 00:20:10,754 --> 00:20:15,229 Michael, say good-bye to Emily and head upstairs. 459 00:20:16,833 --> 00:20:18,737 You're amazing. 460 00:20:20,005 --> 00:20:23,011 Tonight, the hero of that baked Alaska was the ice cream, 461 00:20:23,045 --> 00:20:24,882 and your ice cream wasn't set. 462 00:20:24,915 --> 00:20:29,057 But you're one phenomenal cook that I know deep down inside 463 00:20:29,090 --> 00:20:30,392 we haven't heard the last of. 464 00:20:30,426 --> 00:20:31,696 Come and say good-bye, please. 465 00:20:31,729 --> 00:20:32,998 Jeez. 466 00:20:33,031 --> 00:20:36,405 Emily: I walked back into the MasterChef kitchen 467 00:20:36,438 --> 00:20:39,745 really not expecting the journey that I've had. 468 00:20:39,779 --> 00:20:41,983 This competition really pushes you outside of your comfort zone. 469 00:20:41,983 --> 00:20:44,487 Joe: This dish is top, top notch. 470 00:20:44,522 --> 00:20:46,592 I mean, what can I say? It's textbook. 471 00:20:46,626 --> 00:20:47,928 I tried things that maybe I wouldn't have tried, 472 00:20:47,961 --> 00:20:49,999 cooked things maybe I wouldn't have cooked. 473 00:20:50,065 --> 00:20:52,504 I think what you've got to understand is that you should be using 474 00:20:52,538 --> 00:20:53,740 more of these ingredients more often. 475 00:20:53,740 --> 00:20:55,677 Ultimately, my goal was to make it 476 00:20:55,710 --> 00:20:58,115 farther than I did season nine, 477 00:20:58,148 --> 00:21:00,720 and I made the top five. 478 00:21:00,754 --> 00:21:02,457 So I'm leaving the MasterChef kitchen 479 00:21:02,490 --> 00:21:05,931 with my held high, and I am proud as hell. 480 00:21:11,174 --> 00:21:13,112 First challenge of the night done. 481 00:21:13,112 --> 00:21:14,515 Your next challenge tonight 482 00:21:14,582 --> 00:21:17,487 will literally seal your fate into the finale 483 00:21:17,554 --> 00:21:20,025 and be your biggest trial by fire yet. 484 00:21:20,025 --> 00:21:24,802 But I need to change into something a little more comfortable. 485 00:21:25,971 --> 00:21:27,240 Excuse me. 486 00:21:27,273 --> 00:21:29,444 Everyone, please come down here. 487 00:21:31,749 --> 00:21:34,588 Chef Ramsay leaves to go put something more comfortable on? 488 00:21:34,588 --> 00:21:39,297 We just made baked Alaskas in 75 minutes, 489 00:21:39,330 --> 00:21:41,736 so I know that whatever's coming next 490 00:21:41,769 --> 00:21:45,142 is definitely not gonna be easier than that. 491 00:21:45,142 --> 00:21:47,848 - You ready? - Ready as I'll ever be. 492 00:21:47,881 --> 00:21:50,954 All right, you've got one challenge left in the semifinals. 493 00:21:50,987 --> 00:21:54,227 Joe: Guys, the only thing standing between you 494 00:21:54,260 --> 00:21:55,864 and the top three is... 495 00:21:55,897 --> 00:21:58,135 Oh, my God. 496 00:21:58,168 --> 00:22:00,372 What is about to happen? 497 00:22:09,758 --> 00:22:15,135 The only thing standing between you and the top three is... 498 00:22:15,169 --> 00:22:16,806 - Oh, shoot. - Oh, my God. 499 00:22:16,839 --> 00:22:18,743 What is about to happen? 500 00:22:28,161 --> 00:22:30,432 - Oh, my-- - I knew it. 501 00:22:31,602 --> 00:22:34,307 - Chef. - That's the comfortable outfit? 502 00:22:34,307 --> 00:22:36,679 - Don't want to be you guys. - Uh-oh. 503 00:22:36,712 --> 00:22:40,620 Now, tonight all of you will be replicating 504 00:22:40,654 --> 00:22:42,758 one of my signature dishes. 505 00:22:42,758 --> 00:22:48,736 But you'll be cooking this dish at the same time as me. 506 00:22:50,139 --> 00:22:51,676 - Wow. - Whoa. 507 00:22:51,709 --> 00:22:54,314 Gordon: All of you will be keeping up with me 508 00:22:54,347 --> 00:22:56,819 as we cook... 509 00:23:00,192 --> 00:23:04,735 ...a stunning three Michelin star 510 00:23:04,768 --> 00:23:09,244 lobster tortellini with a fresh tomato purée 511 00:23:09,277 --> 00:23:10,981 and a basil purée. 512 00:23:11,014 --> 00:23:14,254 And I'll show you exactly how it's done. 513 00:23:14,287 --> 00:23:15,857 And if you fall behind, 514 00:23:15,890 --> 00:23:19,297 your spot in the finale could go up in smoke. 515 00:23:19,330 --> 00:23:20,800 - Wow. - Oof. 516 00:23:20,834 --> 00:23:23,973 Once I'm done, you'll have an extra 30 seconds 517 00:23:23,973 --> 00:23:25,577 to plate your dish. 518 00:23:25,610 --> 00:23:28,081 Now, all of you, are you ready? 519 00:23:28,115 --> 00:23:29,317 All: Yes, Chef. 520 00:23:29,350 --> 00:23:32,758 Our time starts now. Let's go. 521 00:23:32,791 --> 00:23:34,227 Michael: Go, go, go, go, go. 522 00:23:34,227 --> 00:23:35,664 First off, the pasta. 523 00:23:35,697 --> 00:23:38,268 Two whole eggs, four egg yolks into a bowl. 524 00:23:38,268 --> 00:23:40,707 Let's go. Crack those eggs in. 525 00:23:40,740 --> 00:23:42,878 I want no shell in that pasta, okay? 526 00:23:42,911 --> 00:23:46,084 - Yes, Chef. - Two whole eggs, four egg yolks in. 527 00:23:46,151 --> 00:23:47,654 Shanika: All right. Perfect. 528 00:23:47,688 --> 00:23:51,629 Right, from there, flour in, a nice pinch of salt, 529 00:23:51,662 --> 00:23:53,833 a little drizzle of olive oil. Let's go. 530 00:23:53,866 --> 00:23:56,639 Shanika: Pasta is what took me out of this competition last time. 531 00:23:56,639 --> 00:24:00,145 I'll be damned if I'm gonna let pasta take me out a second time. 532 00:24:00,145 --> 00:24:02,183 Now fold your eggs in gently, 533 00:24:02,216 --> 00:24:04,087 and we crumb that mixture together. 534 00:24:04,120 --> 00:24:05,757 Got it. 535 00:24:05,790 --> 00:24:07,326 Gordon: Now lightly flour your surface. 536 00:24:07,360 --> 00:24:08,696 Flour your hands, 537 00:24:08,730 --> 00:24:10,032 and just start crumbing your mixture. 538 00:24:10,032 --> 00:24:11,702 Shanika: Yes, Chef. 539 00:24:11,736 --> 00:24:14,107 Gordon: Bring it out in a really nice beautiful ball. 540 00:24:14,140 --> 00:24:16,979 But sure it's not too wet 'cause it won't go through the machine. 541 00:24:17,013 --> 00:24:18,448 Christian: Yes, Chef. 542 00:24:18,448 --> 00:24:21,021 And more importantly make sure it's not too dry. 543 00:24:21,021 --> 00:24:22,958 Michael: Oh, my gosh. 544 00:24:22,958 --> 00:24:26,064 I have, like, wet sand. This is not right. 545 00:24:26,097 --> 00:24:27,834 Come on, Michael. Keep up. 546 00:24:27,834 --> 00:24:30,172 - Christian: Oh, yes. - Now we're kneading the dough 547 00:24:30,172 --> 00:24:32,209 into a nice smooth ball. 548 00:24:32,243 --> 00:24:35,917 Dara: Even though I'm the youngest competitor here, 549 00:24:35,950 --> 00:24:37,954 I definitely feel like I have a little bit of an advantage 550 00:24:37,988 --> 00:24:40,627 because I went to culinary school, 551 00:24:40,694 --> 00:24:43,165 so I know how to take direction. 552 00:24:43,198 --> 00:24:46,371 I just have to continue to keep up with Gordon's pace 553 00:24:46,404 --> 00:24:48,175 and I got this in the bag. 554 00:24:48,175 --> 00:24:50,245 - You got this. - Now wrap it. 555 00:24:50,245 --> 00:24:53,085 And what that does now, just stops that from oxidizing. 556 00:24:53,118 --> 00:24:54,454 Christian: Yes, Chef. 557 00:24:54,487 --> 00:24:56,959 Right, let's focus on the beautiful sauce. 558 00:24:56,992 --> 00:24:59,364 Take three shallots, four cloves of garlic. 559 00:24:59,364 --> 00:25:02,804 Shallots thinly chopped. Let's go. 560 00:25:02,838 --> 00:25:03,973 The idea is to caramelize these shallots. 561 00:25:04,007 --> 00:25:05,075 Dara: All right. 562 00:25:05,109 --> 00:25:07,113 And then from there, slice the garlic, okay? 563 00:25:07,146 --> 00:25:09,417 - Michael: Yes, Chef. - Gordon: Nice and thin. 564 00:25:09,450 --> 00:25:12,223 Now from there, shallots, garlic in, guys. 565 00:25:12,223 --> 00:25:14,227 Yes, Chef. 566 00:25:14,227 --> 00:25:17,466 Now tomatoes into the hot pan and let them blister. 567 00:25:17,466 --> 00:25:21,341 Alongside that, five leaves of basil. 568 00:25:21,374 --> 00:25:23,780 Run the knife through the basil 569 00:25:23,813 --> 00:25:27,353 and sprinkle the basil on top of the tomatoes. 570 00:25:27,353 --> 00:25:29,290 - Yes, Chef. - Nice. 571 00:25:29,323 --> 00:25:30,827 Basil, shallots, garlic, 572 00:25:30,860 --> 00:25:34,200 it's a really nice, rich, beautiful sauce. 573 00:25:34,233 --> 00:25:37,741 - Aarón: Christian is cool as a cucumber. - Let's get it. 574 00:25:37,774 --> 00:25:40,079 - I'm really concerned about Shanika. - Shanika: Come on. 575 00:25:40,145 --> 00:25:43,151 Aarón: Her knife skills seem to be a little bit slower than everybody else's. 576 00:25:43,185 --> 00:25:44,387 Stay up with me, Shanika, yes? 577 00:25:44,420 --> 00:25:46,191 Yes, Chef. Trying. 578 00:25:46,224 --> 00:25:48,863 Right, we're gonna start now with the basil purée. 579 00:25:48,896 --> 00:25:52,036 Take your basil, big handful in. 580 00:25:52,069 --> 00:25:55,777 We're gonna cook this basil for literally 60 seconds, okay? 581 00:25:55,777 --> 00:25:57,346 Christian and Dara: Yes, Chef. 582 00:25:57,379 --> 00:25:59,283 Multitasking is such an essential tool 583 00:25:59,317 --> 00:26:00,285 to be a great chef. 584 00:26:00,319 --> 00:26:01,522 You have to be able to have 585 00:26:01,522 --> 00:26:03,091 a lot of different things on the fire. 586 00:26:03,091 --> 00:26:06,231 Now take your basil out, drain off that water. 587 00:26:06,264 --> 00:26:07,768 You lightly season that basil 588 00:26:07,801 --> 00:26:10,372 and you drizzle some beautiful olive oil over it. 589 00:26:10,406 --> 00:26:12,143 Dara: Yes, Chef. 590 00:26:12,176 --> 00:26:15,617 From there, take your blender. Basil goes in and on. 591 00:26:15,617 --> 00:26:19,490 And then you blitz that till it's a beautiful, fine basil purée, heard? 592 00:26:19,525 --> 00:26:20,994 - Yes, Chef. - Heard. 593 00:26:21,027 --> 00:26:23,900 We're gonna go and blitz the tomato purée now. 594 00:26:23,933 --> 00:26:26,939 And we start to blend our second sauce. 595 00:26:26,939 --> 00:26:28,141 - Yes, Chef. - Christian and Michael: Heard. 596 00:26:28,141 --> 00:26:29,243 Gordon: Let's go, guys. 597 00:26:29,277 --> 00:26:30,446 Sauce number two, 598 00:26:30,446 --> 00:26:32,851 a fresh roasted tomato purée. 599 00:26:32,884 --> 00:26:35,924 Right, lobster, crack the top 600 00:26:35,957 --> 00:26:40,065 of that tail gently. Peel it back. 601 00:26:40,098 --> 00:26:42,971 From there, thumb on the end, push, 602 00:26:43,004 --> 00:26:45,442 and that should just literally slide out. 603 00:26:45,476 --> 00:26:47,213 Christian: Oh, wow. 604 00:26:47,246 --> 00:26:48,281 Gordon: Second, the claw, 605 00:26:48,315 --> 00:26:49,918 get your knife on the top, 606 00:26:49,952 --> 00:26:51,956 on the bottom, and twist. 607 00:26:51,956 --> 00:26:55,129 Off, little finger in, push, and slide out. 608 00:26:55,162 --> 00:26:58,034 Now we start the filling. You take your tail, 609 00:26:58,068 --> 00:27:01,107 - and then we dice this lobster beautifully. - Christian: Yes, Chef. 610 00:27:01,141 --> 00:27:02,978 Gordon: So we're gonna marinate this now with our herbs. 611 00:27:03,011 --> 00:27:06,317 Now take a half a tablespoon of mascarpone. 612 00:27:06,351 --> 00:27:09,625 Take some basil, some tarragon, and some fresh chives, 613 00:27:09,658 --> 00:27:11,227 salt, and pepper. 614 00:27:11,261 --> 00:27:14,400 See the jeopardy here is the consistency of the filling. 615 00:27:14,400 --> 00:27:18,375 Put too much mascarpone, it's gonna hit the water and it might burst. 616 00:27:18,408 --> 00:27:21,147 From there, zest one whole lemon. 617 00:27:21,181 --> 00:27:23,351 Now, we're using both the zest and the juice here. 618 00:27:23,351 --> 00:27:24,988 Yes, Chef. 619 00:27:25,022 --> 00:27:26,124 I think that Dara really looks like she's in control. 620 00:27:26,157 --> 00:27:28,830 She has the most attention to detail. 621 00:27:28,863 --> 00:27:32,203 She's the only one that's adding both lemon juice and the zest. 622 00:27:32,236 --> 00:27:33,873 Gordon: Now for the most important part. 623 00:27:33,906 --> 00:27:35,075 We're gonna start rolling our pasta. 624 00:27:35,108 --> 00:27:38,516 Let the rolling pin do the work first. 625 00:27:38,516 --> 00:27:40,653 Now this is where the magic starts, okay? 626 00:27:40,687 --> 00:27:44,093 - Let's go, Michael. - ( bleep ) 627 00:27:44,126 --> 00:27:46,030 What should I do? 628 00:27:46,030 --> 00:27:48,268 I can tell you right now, Michael's too dry. 629 00:27:48,301 --> 00:27:51,407 Now, into your machine, and then we start rolling. 630 00:27:51,407 --> 00:27:54,313 - Let the machine do the work, guys. - Dara: Yes, Chef. 631 00:27:54,347 --> 00:27:57,453 - Gordon: Hurry up, Michael, please. - Michael: Come on, baby. 632 00:27:57,486 --> 00:27:58,455 My pasta is not coming together. 633 00:27:58,488 --> 00:27:59,825 Gordon's rolling it. 634 00:27:59,892 --> 00:28:01,427 Everybody to my side is rolling it. 635 00:28:01,461 --> 00:28:03,265 Meanwhile, I still have a problem. 636 00:28:03,298 --> 00:28:05,670 - It's too dry. - What's wrong with the pasta? 637 00:28:05,703 --> 00:28:08,008 - It's a little dry. - Get a little bit of moisture on there then. 638 00:28:08,041 --> 00:28:11,180 - No more flour. - I have moments to figure this out. 639 00:28:11,180 --> 00:28:13,184 Look at the length. Show me your length. 640 00:28:13,218 --> 00:28:15,188 The aeration is important, really important. 641 00:28:15,222 --> 00:28:18,061 Michael: My fate is resting on this pasta dough. 642 00:28:18,094 --> 00:28:21,000 This is what determines if I'm in the finale. 643 00:28:21,034 --> 00:28:23,673 I have to fix this right now or I'm going home. 644 00:28:23,706 --> 00:28:25,743 Breathe, breathe, breathe. 645 00:28:37,299 --> 00:28:39,103 What should I do? 646 00:28:39,103 --> 00:28:41,107 My pasta is not coming together. 647 00:28:41,140 --> 00:28:43,144 - What's wrong with the pasta? - It's a little dry. 648 00:28:43,178 --> 00:28:45,282 Get a little bit of moisture on there then. No more flour. 649 00:28:45,315 --> 00:28:47,152 My pasta is too dry. 650 00:28:47,186 --> 00:28:49,423 I have to fix this right now or I'm going home. 651 00:28:49,457 --> 00:28:52,062 And look at the length of this thing now. The more you roll now, 652 00:28:52,096 --> 00:28:54,467 the more chance you've got at success. 653 00:28:54,500 --> 00:28:55,469 I got this. 654 00:28:55,503 --> 00:28:56,538 Michael: Come on, baby. 655 00:28:56,538 --> 00:28:58,108 I'm cranking as fast as I can. 656 00:28:58,141 --> 00:29:00,078 I'm getting my pasta thinner and thinner. 657 00:29:00,112 --> 00:29:02,416 I am not gonna lose focus. I'm not gonna get flustered. 658 00:29:02,416 --> 00:29:03,953 I can save this. 659 00:29:03,953 --> 00:29:05,455 Gordon: That's it, Michael. 660 00:29:05,455 --> 00:29:07,459 Don't pull it so you stretch it. 661 00:29:07,459 --> 00:29:09,497 Let it roll through the machine. 662 00:29:09,531 --> 00:29:10,967 Oh, my God. 663 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:13,104 I think Shanika might be falling behind a bit. 664 00:29:13,138 --> 00:29:15,409 Shanika: This is not what I need yet. 665 00:29:15,442 --> 00:29:18,214 There's a technique to rolling pasta, 666 00:29:18,248 --> 00:29:20,285 but I'm fumbling right now because trying to make it perfect 667 00:29:20,285 --> 00:29:22,389 and keep up with Gordon ain't going together. 668 00:29:22,389 --> 00:29:24,528 - Don't panic, Shanika, okay? - I'm not, Chef. 669 00:29:24,561 --> 00:29:28,101 Now for the exciting part. We start the cut, okay? 670 00:29:28,134 --> 00:29:30,573 Cut them out with a large cutter. 671 00:29:30,573 --> 00:29:32,109 Look. Beautiful. 672 00:29:32,109 --> 00:29:34,080 Be careful with that cut, guys, okay? 673 00:29:34,080 --> 00:29:35,950 Dara: Just keep going. We got this. 674 00:29:35,984 --> 00:29:38,021 Gordon: Right, here we go, the filling. 675 00:29:38,021 --> 00:29:40,425 You take your mix, and you put a teaspoon of mix 676 00:29:40,425 --> 00:29:42,697 - in the center of your disk. - All: Yes, Chef. 677 00:29:42,731 --> 00:29:44,066 Now you've got to move quickly. 678 00:29:44,100 --> 00:29:45,937 If it dries out, it'll crack as it cooks. 679 00:29:45,970 --> 00:29:47,306 Michael: Yes, Chef. 680 00:29:47,306 --> 00:29:48,643 Gordon: Christian, too much mousse in there, 681 00:29:48,643 --> 00:29:50,312 you're gonna burst the tortellini. 682 00:29:50,345 --> 00:29:52,751 I said a teaspoon. Really important. 683 00:29:52,751 --> 00:29:54,554 - Yes, Chef. - Gordon: And now from there, 684 00:29:54,588 --> 00:29:57,026 the most difficult part. 685 00:29:57,092 --> 00:29:59,263 - Come on, Shanika. - Gordon: Look at me, please. 686 00:29:59,296 --> 00:30:02,136 Fold it over into the hands. Got to move quickly. 687 00:30:02,169 --> 00:30:06,545 Left to right, right to left, use your thumb, push down, and open up your tortellini. 688 00:30:06,545 --> 00:30:09,518 - Joe: This is a very difficult technique to master. - Aarón: Yeah. 689 00:30:09,551 --> 00:30:11,187 This is where you can lose pace. 690 00:30:11,187 --> 00:30:13,425 - Aarón: Let's go, Dara. - Oh, my gosh. 691 00:30:13,425 --> 00:30:15,429 - Gordon: Christian, let's go, please. - Yes, Chef. 692 00:30:15,462 --> 00:30:17,099 This is my first time folding a tortellini. 693 00:30:17,132 --> 00:30:20,506 Again, up and over, half moon shape, 694 00:30:20,540 --> 00:30:22,309 left to right, right to left. 695 00:30:22,343 --> 00:30:25,115 "Half moon, push it left, push it right." 696 00:30:25,148 --> 00:30:27,219 Open like a lobster pinch. 697 00:30:27,252 --> 00:30:29,023 "Use your hand like a lobster." 698 00:30:29,056 --> 00:30:32,363 Left to right, right to left, thumb down, and push. 699 00:30:32,396 --> 00:30:33,699 What are we doing, a TikTok dance? 700 00:30:33,733 --> 00:30:35,068 I'm lost. 701 00:30:35,102 --> 00:30:36,672 Now we start to cook the tortellini. 702 00:30:36,672 --> 00:30:38,008 Shanika: Come on. 703 00:30:38,041 --> 00:30:39,477 Gordon: Water up into a rolling boil. 704 00:30:39,511 --> 00:30:42,216 Nicely seasoned. In we go. 705 00:30:42,216 --> 00:30:44,453 And we've got literally 60 seconds to cook this pasta. 706 00:30:44,487 --> 00:30:47,026 - Michael: Yes, Chef. - Aarón: Come on, Christian. 707 00:30:47,059 --> 00:30:48,461 - Put your tortellinis in. - Let's go, let's go. 708 00:30:48,461 --> 00:30:50,232 - Aarón: Move it. - Christian: Let's cook, baby. 709 00:30:50,265 --> 00:30:51,769 Gordon: Keep it going, guys. Keep it going. 710 00:30:51,835 --> 00:30:54,040 - Aarón: Come on, Shanika. - ( bleep ) 711 00:30:54,073 --> 00:30:57,179 Shanika is still making them. 712 00:30:57,212 --> 00:30:58,582 - This is not good for her. - Aarón: This is not good. 713 00:30:58,616 --> 00:31:02,524 And now we get our plate, and we start to dress. 714 00:31:02,524 --> 00:31:06,230 Five spoons of that beautiful fresh tomato sauce. 715 00:31:06,264 --> 00:31:07,767 - Aarón: Here we go, guys. Come on, focus. - Joe: Let's go, guys. 716 00:31:07,801 --> 00:31:09,671 - Come on, Michael. - Yes, Chef. 717 00:31:09,705 --> 00:31:12,711 Gordon: Let's go. Your basil purée in between. Beautifully done. 718 00:31:12,744 --> 00:31:15,616 Now tortellinis out of the water. 719 00:31:15,616 --> 00:31:18,622 - You're gonna sit that on top of your purée. - Yes, Chef. 720 00:31:18,656 --> 00:31:22,262 Shanika, get the tortellinis in the water. Let's go. 721 00:31:22,296 --> 00:31:25,102 - There's a point of no return. - Shanika: These gonna have to work. 722 00:31:25,135 --> 00:31:27,372 If you get a minute behind, you can't make it up. 723 00:31:27,372 --> 00:31:31,682 And then from there you take your beautiful lemon oil, drizzle that around. 724 00:31:31,715 --> 00:31:36,090 I've got my little fine herbs, just press them on there. 725 00:31:36,124 --> 00:31:39,130 Now I'm gonna dust with a touch of lemon zest 726 00:31:39,130 --> 00:31:41,902 over my tortellini, and there we go. 727 00:31:41,935 --> 00:31:44,106 And then finally a beautiful claw. 728 00:31:44,140 --> 00:31:45,409 And now you've got 30 seconds to go! 729 00:31:45,409 --> 00:31:48,081 - ( bleep ) - Let's go, guys! Come on! 730 00:31:48,114 --> 00:31:49,851 - Aarón: Dress them, dress them. - Gordon: 30 seconds, guys. 731 00:31:49,885 --> 00:31:51,421 - Come on. - Let's go, Shanika. 732 00:31:51,421 --> 00:31:53,491 - Coming, Chef. - Keep it going, guys. 733 00:31:53,526 --> 00:31:56,431 - Aw, they broke. - Gordon: 15 seconds to go. 734 00:31:56,431 --> 00:31:59,170 Christian, you've got to plate, man, you've got to plate. 735 00:31:59,170 --> 00:32:00,840 Let's go! Come on, come on, come on, Michael. 736 00:32:00,873 --> 00:32:02,544 Ten, nine... 737 00:32:02,544 --> 00:32:06,117 - Eight, seven, six... - Michael: Come on. 738 00:32:06,150 --> 00:32:09,791 - Five, four, three... - Dara: Oh, my gosh. 739 00:32:09,825 --> 00:32:11,929 - ...two, one. - Joe: Hands up. 740 00:32:11,962 --> 00:32:12,931 Aarón: That's it. Hands up in the air. 741 00:32:12,964 --> 00:32:15,636 ( bleeping ) 742 00:32:15,670 --> 00:32:17,239 I did not get that on there. 743 00:32:17,272 --> 00:32:18,776 I didn't get my garnish on that ( bleep ). 744 00:32:18,776 --> 00:32:19,778 - ( Shanika sighs ) - Gordon: Man. 745 00:32:19,778 --> 00:32:21,147 That was not easy. 746 00:32:21,180 --> 00:32:24,086 Time is up, and I am disappointed. 747 00:32:24,120 --> 00:32:29,163 This was the hardest challenge of this season, 748 00:32:29,196 --> 00:32:32,102 and I see why they saved it for last. 749 00:32:32,136 --> 00:32:34,508 First up, Michael, please bring your dish up. 750 00:32:34,541 --> 00:32:36,110 Michael: It's not a perfect dish for me, 751 00:32:36,144 --> 00:32:39,283 but I feel like I really bounced back, 752 00:32:39,316 --> 00:32:41,220 so I'm hoping with everything that I have 753 00:32:41,220 --> 00:32:44,728 that they give me that spot in the finale. 754 00:32:44,761 --> 00:32:47,366 Gordon: So, visually, pasta's a lot thicker than mine. 755 00:32:47,399 --> 00:32:49,203 And you can see the shape of yours, 756 00:32:49,236 --> 00:32:52,209 it's got not nowhere near the amount of filling it needs. 757 00:32:52,242 --> 00:32:53,946 - Understood. - Gordon: Shall we? 758 00:32:59,456 --> 00:33:03,431 So, Michael, tomato purée needs a touch more seasoning. 759 00:33:03,464 --> 00:33:05,570 Did you put any lemon juice in there? 760 00:33:05,603 --> 00:33:07,172 I did lemon zest. 761 00:33:07,206 --> 00:33:09,544 Yeah, so I put lemon zest and lemon juice in. 762 00:33:09,544 --> 00:33:10,847 So it's just flat. 763 00:33:10,847 --> 00:33:12,216 Yeah, lucky for you, Michael, 764 00:33:12,249 --> 00:33:14,788 the roasted tomato salsa has good flavor, 765 00:33:14,821 --> 00:33:17,326 but way too much basil purée. 766 00:33:17,359 --> 00:33:19,263 It should just be a dot, an accent, 767 00:33:19,263 --> 00:33:21,334 to the actual roasted tomato sauce. 768 00:33:21,367 --> 00:33:22,537 Joe: I'll sum it up for you, Michael. 769 00:33:22,537 --> 00:33:25,408 It tastes as good as it looks bad. 770 00:33:25,442 --> 00:33:27,747 - Okay. - Gordon: Thank you, Michael. 771 00:33:27,780 --> 00:33:29,250 Thank you, Chefs. 772 00:33:29,250 --> 00:33:31,989 So, yeah, nowhere near enough filling in there. 773 00:33:32,022 --> 00:33:33,792 Aarón: Yeah. 774 00:33:33,826 --> 00:33:37,499 Shanika, please bring your lobster tortellini forward. 775 00:33:37,534 --> 00:33:41,207 Shanika: I know that this is not good enough, 776 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:42,877 but I'm hoping that my flavors are there 777 00:33:42,911 --> 00:33:45,382 and then that gets me to the finale. 778 00:33:45,382 --> 00:33:48,254 So, Shanika, unfortunately, visually it looks unfinished. 779 00:33:48,288 --> 00:33:50,693 Tortellini's upside down, no claw. 780 00:33:50,726 --> 00:33:53,632 But I think your saving grace is you got transparency in the pasta, 781 00:33:53,632 --> 00:33:55,068 which is positive. 782 00:34:02,517 --> 00:34:05,455 Joe: Shanika, aside from the dish being incomplete, 783 00:34:05,488 --> 00:34:07,794 this is a rare thing, but they're kind of over-seasoned. 784 00:34:07,794 --> 00:34:10,900 Which never happens, but they are over-seasoned. 785 00:34:10,933 --> 00:34:13,171 Aarón: I disagree with Joe. 786 00:34:13,204 --> 00:34:15,408 I think lobster is like a sponge, and it needs to be aggressively seasoned, 787 00:34:15,442 --> 00:34:18,348 so that doesn't bother me as much. 788 00:34:18,381 --> 00:34:21,053 It's just the pasta's dry. 789 00:34:21,053 --> 00:34:22,422 Young lady, it pains me to say this, 790 00:34:22,456 --> 00:34:24,260 but unfortunately two of them are burst. 791 00:34:24,293 --> 00:34:26,230 - Yes. - I think the seasoning is on point, 792 00:34:26,264 --> 00:34:28,869 - but, yeah, you struggled. - Yes. 793 00:34:28,903 --> 00:34:32,276 - Thank you. - Thank you. 794 00:34:32,276 --> 00:34:33,579 Yeah, it's really a bit of a mess. 795 00:34:33,612 --> 00:34:35,015 It's better seasoned than Michael's though. 796 00:34:35,015 --> 00:34:36,484 Yeah. 797 00:34:36,518 --> 00:34:38,822 Next up, Dara, please step forward. 798 00:34:38,822 --> 00:34:42,830 Dara: I'm feeling really proud of myself and confident 799 00:34:42,830 --> 00:34:44,333 that when I put my plate down 800 00:34:44,366 --> 00:34:46,538 it's gonna look pretty similar to Gordon's. 801 00:34:46,571 --> 00:34:48,776 Gordon: Young lady, it looks beautiful. 802 00:34:48,809 --> 00:34:50,579 There's no two ways about that. 803 00:34:50,613 --> 00:34:52,917 You've got the shape right. It's glazed beautifully. 804 00:34:52,917 --> 00:34:54,654 Claw's there. 805 00:34:54,688 --> 00:34:56,424 Question, Chef, could we put these two down 806 00:34:56,457 --> 00:34:57,894 at the same table in the same restaurant? 807 00:34:57,927 --> 00:34:59,664 Let's taste it and we'll find out. 808 00:35:07,647 --> 00:35:10,653 Dara, I taste all the components of Gordon's dish. 809 00:35:10,686 --> 00:35:14,460 The filling could be a little creamier, but that's really all I can say. 810 00:35:14,493 --> 00:35:16,765 What you did, which is so beautiful for me, 811 00:35:16,765 --> 00:35:19,671 is lemon, lemon, and lemon. You did it perfectly. 812 00:35:19,704 --> 00:35:21,875 Young lady, the pasta's rolled beautifully. 813 00:35:21,908 --> 00:35:23,979 The technique there is immaculate. 814 00:35:24,013 --> 00:35:25,816 It's a really strong dish. Well done. 815 00:35:25,850 --> 00:35:27,152 Thank you, Chef. Thank you. 816 00:35:28,756 --> 00:35:30,358 - Good job. - Thank you. 817 00:35:30,392 --> 00:35:33,197 Christian, please bring us your tortellini. 818 00:35:33,231 --> 00:35:36,905 Christian: This is the most nervous I've ever been in this kitchen, 819 00:35:36,938 --> 00:35:39,511 because my dish does not look the same as Chef Ramsay's. 820 00:35:39,544 --> 00:35:41,982 I put too much filling in the pasta. 821 00:35:41,982 --> 00:35:44,353 So my tortellini didn't stick. 822 00:35:44,386 --> 00:35:46,490 I can be one foot out the door. 823 00:35:46,525 --> 00:35:48,629 I could be two feet into the finale. 824 00:35:48,662 --> 00:35:51,367 Christian, pasta's rolled beautifully. 825 00:35:51,367 --> 00:35:53,672 It's transparent, so I can see what I'm eating already. 826 00:35:53,706 --> 00:35:55,676 Unfortunately, two or three of them have lost their shape, 827 00:35:55,710 --> 00:35:58,682 but you've got one beautifully done here. 828 00:35:58,682 --> 00:36:00,753 Everything else is nowhere near that quality. 829 00:36:00,753 --> 00:36:02,322 Shall we? 830 00:36:08,134 --> 00:36:10,706 Did you salt the boiling water for your pasta? 831 00:36:11,975 --> 00:36:13,177 Answer the question. 832 00:36:26,437 --> 00:36:29,844 Did you salt the boiling water for your pasta? 833 00:36:29,878 --> 00:36:31,480 Answer the question. 834 00:36:31,515 --> 00:36:33,652 I threw a couple pinches in there. 835 00:36:33,685 --> 00:36:36,157 Not too much-- not-- no, not too much, 836 00:36:36,157 --> 00:36:38,729 but I threw some salt in it. 837 00:36:38,729 --> 00:36:40,733 You know, I think the biggest problem with the taste of this dish 838 00:36:40,766 --> 00:36:43,839 is that the actual pasta itself is under-seasoned 839 00:36:43,872 --> 00:36:46,377 because there was not nearly enough salt. 840 00:36:46,410 --> 00:36:48,649 Aside from that, pretty tasty. 841 00:36:48,682 --> 00:36:51,988 There's some cooking flaws, but the consistency of the pasta's there. 842 00:36:52,022 --> 00:36:54,026 Christian, purée's delicious. 843 00:36:54,059 --> 00:36:56,030 Three of them lost their shape 844 00:36:56,063 --> 00:36:58,669 since you added too much mixture, 845 00:36:58,702 --> 00:37:00,506 but the filling inside was delicious. 846 00:37:00,539 --> 00:37:01,875 - Thank you, Chef. - Good job. 847 00:37:01,908 --> 00:37:02,944 Thank you. 848 00:37:07,085 --> 00:37:09,624 Please give us a moment. Thank you. 849 00:37:13,766 --> 00:37:16,638 So, Michael's pasta was a bit dry, right? 850 00:37:16,671 --> 00:37:19,042 - Yeah. - There's a lot of issues with Michael's dish. 851 00:37:19,076 --> 00:37:21,013 Oh, please. 852 00:37:21,013 --> 00:37:22,550 Um, Shanika's pasta? 853 00:37:22,583 --> 00:37:24,019 Her dish was perhaps the most incomplete. 854 00:37:24,052 --> 00:37:25,723 - Incomplete. - Yes. 855 00:37:25,723 --> 00:37:27,727 - Is it clear, our bottom? - Yeah, yeah. 856 00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:29,964 - For me it is. Shall we? - Yeah, yeah, yeah. 857 00:37:37,880 --> 00:37:41,555 There are four of you that stand before us, 858 00:37:41,588 --> 00:37:44,594 but as you know, there's only three spots up for grabs. 859 00:37:47,533 --> 00:37:50,973 Dara, you're the youngest one here, 860 00:37:50,973 --> 00:37:54,213 and at age 20, 861 00:37:54,246 --> 00:37:55,482 you're now the youngest ever 862 00:37:55,516 --> 00:37:57,219 to be in a "MasterChef" final. 863 00:37:57,219 --> 00:37:59,824 - Congratulations. - Michael: Wow. 864 00:37:59,858 --> 00:38:02,129 - Gordon: Head upstairs with a big smile on your face. - Oh, my gosh. 865 00:38:02,162 --> 00:38:05,569 Dara: I'm literally speechless. 866 00:38:05,603 --> 00:38:08,675 The fact that I was able to get to the finale 867 00:38:08,709 --> 00:38:12,082 when I was 12 years old, and I'm doing it again, 868 00:38:12,082 --> 00:38:15,488 it's just reminding me what I came here to do. 869 00:38:15,523 --> 00:38:17,325 I am back to win. 870 00:38:18,562 --> 00:38:20,265 This doesn't get any easier. 871 00:38:20,298 --> 00:38:22,235 Two spots remaining 872 00:38:22,269 --> 00:38:24,841 in the "Back to Win" MasterChef finale. 873 00:38:29,082 --> 00:38:30,051 Christian, well done. 874 00:38:30,084 --> 00:38:33,625 You're in the finale. 875 00:38:35,261 --> 00:38:37,700 - Congratulations. - Thank you, Chef. 876 00:38:37,733 --> 00:38:40,171 It's been a long journey. I mean, I've grown as a chef. 877 00:38:40,205 --> 00:38:43,512 And just to be going into the finale, 878 00:38:43,545 --> 00:38:45,916 I'm ready to finish what I came here for. 879 00:38:45,916 --> 00:38:46,985 It's on. I'm ready. 880 00:38:47,018 --> 00:38:51,460 Congratulations. Head upstairs. Well done. 881 00:38:53,197 --> 00:38:56,170 - I'm proud of you. - Thank you. 882 00:38:56,203 --> 00:38:58,876 Shanika, season nine. 883 00:38:58,876 --> 00:39:00,513 Michael, season ten. 884 00:39:00,513 --> 00:39:03,184 As you well know, there's only one spot remaining 885 00:39:03,184 --> 00:39:04,587 in the "Back to Win" finale. 886 00:39:04,621 --> 00:39:07,627 After discussing it, we all agree 887 00:39:07,660 --> 00:39:10,331 the final home cook joining Dara and Christian, 888 00:39:10,331 --> 00:39:13,939 congratulations goes to... 889 00:39:16,243 --> 00:39:17,747 Michael. 890 00:39:23,659 --> 00:39:26,330 Michael, last time around, you didn't even crack top ten. 891 00:39:26,363 --> 00:39:29,102 - Congratulations. - Thank you so much. 892 00:39:30,104 --> 00:39:31,741 I'm so proud of you. 893 00:39:31,741 --> 00:39:34,781 Coming back here has been the ultimate redemption story. 894 00:39:34,814 --> 00:39:37,620 Last time, I only got 15th place, 895 00:39:37,653 --> 00:39:40,358 but here I stand, the underdog of the season, 896 00:39:40,358 --> 00:39:42,964 ready to fight in the finale. 897 00:39:42,997 --> 00:39:46,070 Shanika, the transformation, your poise, 898 00:39:46,103 --> 00:39:49,376 your attitude, and the confidence is exemplary. 899 00:39:49,409 --> 00:39:50,613 Thank you, Chef. 900 00:39:50,613 --> 00:39:54,052 Come and say good-bye, please. 901 00:39:54,086 --> 00:39:57,125 Shanika: I was one dish away from making it to the finale, 902 00:39:57,125 --> 00:39:58,261 but I do feel proud. 903 00:39:58,261 --> 00:40:00,866 Shanika, come get your apron. 904 00:40:00,899 --> 00:40:02,937 Even though the competition was tougher this time around... 905 00:40:02,970 --> 00:40:06,277 Almost, Bowen. Bowen, almost ( bleep ) ready. Calm down! 906 00:40:06,310 --> 00:40:08,347 ...I have soared in this kitchen. 907 00:40:08,347 --> 00:40:10,018 I have the earned the respect of the judges. 908 00:40:10,051 --> 00:40:12,389 That's the attitude we love, you know that? 909 00:40:12,422 --> 00:40:13,825 Keep it up, girl. 910 00:40:13,859 --> 00:40:15,896 I got to back to back immunity pins. 911 00:40:15,896 --> 00:40:17,600 I want that pin today. 912 00:40:17,633 --> 00:40:19,136 Shanika, exceptional. 913 00:40:19,169 --> 00:40:24,179 And I cooked with pure passion this time around. 914 00:40:24,212 --> 00:40:26,417 I feel like you were really cooking with your heart tonight. 915 00:40:26,417 --> 00:40:29,289 If it takes that kind of a journey 916 00:40:29,289 --> 00:40:30,793 to create this kind of food, 917 00:40:30,859 --> 00:40:33,064 then I think it's worth taking. 918 00:40:33,097 --> 00:40:35,836 It's been an amazing ride. 919 00:40:35,836 --> 00:40:38,274 If asked, would I do this again? 920 00:40:38,274 --> 00:40:41,146 Hell, yeah. I would. 921 00:40:41,180 --> 00:40:43,150 And again and again. 922 00:40:43,150 --> 00:40:44,621 Y'all, kill it. 923 00:40:44,654 --> 00:40:46,791 - We love you, Shanika. - You were amazing. 924 00:40:46,825 --> 00:40:48,260 I became one of the top four 925 00:40:48,294 --> 00:40:51,400 of the best of the best of the best. 926 00:40:51,467 --> 00:40:52,970 I'm a very proud woman right now. 927 00:40:53,004 --> 00:40:56,243 You would think I won. Because I did. 928 00:40:56,243 --> 00:40:59,884 I won the hearts of America. I know y'all love me. 929 00:41:02,122 --> 00:41:03,859 We have our finale. 930 00:41:03,892 --> 00:41:07,098 Congratulations to our three finalists 931 00:41:07,132 --> 00:41:08,835 of "MasterChef: Back to Win," 932 00:41:08,869 --> 00:41:12,977 and we can already tell that this is gearing up 933 00:41:13,010 --> 00:41:16,183 to be one of the most exciting finales 934 00:41:16,216 --> 00:41:18,689 "MasterChef" has ever witnessed. 935 00:41:18,689 --> 00:41:21,193 - Congratulations and good night. - Thank you, Chef. 936 00:41:21,226 --> 00:41:22,395 - Thank you, Chef. - Good night. 937 00:41:22,429 --> 00:41:25,869 - Oh, my God. - Good job, you guys. 938 00:41:25,903 --> 00:41:27,873 - Oh, my God. - I'm really proud of you. 939 00:41:27,873 --> 00:41:30,746 Gordon: Next time, it's the "Back to Win" season finale. 940 00:41:30,746 --> 00:41:33,184 - Welcome, everybody. - The top three... 941 00:41:33,184 --> 00:41:35,121 Michael, Dara, Christian. 942 00:41:35,121 --> 00:41:37,292 ...battle it out for the MasterChef title. 943 00:41:37,325 --> 00:41:42,737 - Which MasterChef has come back to win? - Okay, let's go. 944 00:41:42,770 --> 00:41:44,540 - This is gonna be a cook-off like no other. - ( bleep ) 945 00:41:44,540 --> 00:41:48,882 - What's happening? - And two familiar faces make a comeback. 946 00:41:48,949 --> 00:41:52,455 - Graham Elliot and Christina Tosi! - It feels like a homecoming. 947 00:41:52,455 --> 00:41:54,761 Only one cook will take home the prize. 948 00:41:54,794 --> 00:41:56,463 You're pushing the boundaries. You're testing our palates. 949 00:41:56,463 --> 00:41:58,902 You left your mark on the plate. 950 00:41:58,902 --> 00:42:02,208 - It's time to see... - It's just really thought-provoking food. 951 00:42:02,242 --> 00:42:04,479 ...who really is back to win. 952 00:42:04,514 --> 00:42:08,120 America's next MasterChef is...