1 00:00:01,467 --> 00:00:02,800 [Guy] This year, we're doing something special 2 00:00:03,333 --> 00:00:04,000 for the holidays -- 3 00:00:05,100 --> 00:00:06,767 combining your favorite competition with your favorite 4 00:00:07,667 --> 00:00:09,200 time of year and turning the TOC Arena... 5 00:00:10,300 --> 00:00:12,300 into a winter's wonderland. 6 00:00:14,100 --> 00:00:16,300 [instrumental "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" plays] 7 00:00:17,333 --> 00:00:19,567 'Tis six weeks before Christmas, and all through 8 00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:23,800 the land, 32 of the world's best chefs are teaming up 9 00:00:24,333 --> 00:00:24,967 and taking a stand. 10 00:00:26,066 --> 00:00:29,800 They'll battle each other with all kinds of treats... 11 00:00:30,734 --> 00:00:32,000 That says holiday right there, all over it. 12 00:00:32,834 --> 00:00:33,900 ...because the randomizer demands... 13 00:00:34,333 --> 00:00:35,700 [rowdy cheering] 14 00:00:36,533 --> 00:00:38,467 ...they cook one savory and one sweet. 15 00:00:39,333 --> 00:00:39,667 [Curtis] The dessert, really on point. 16 00:00:40,834 --> 00:00:42,000 This is exactly what I'd want served at a holiday table. 17 00:00:42,533 --> 00:00:43,667 -Yeah! -[laughing] 18 00:00:44,633 --> 00:00:46,166 The judges' comments will be both naughty... 19 00:00:46,934 --> 00:00:47,500 [Scott] It feels a little sloppy. 20 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:50,100 I'm not loving that idea that I'm eating leftovers, 21 00:00:50,867 --> 00:00:51,500 quite frankly. -[Guy]...and nice. 22 00:00:52,633 --> 00:00:54,367 -It's one of the best pieces of lamb I've eaten. -Yeah. 23 00:00:55,333 --> 00:00:56,367 Incredibly impressive, in a way that you want 24 00:00:56,934 --> 00:00:57,867 on your holiday dessert. 25 00:00:58,400 --> 00:00:59,166 All right, kiss me. 26 00:01:00,266 --> 00:01:03,967 As they check their list and score each team twice. 27 00:01:04,367 --> 00:01:05,200 -[smack] -Ow! 28 00:01:06,133 --> 00:01:06,567 -[whispers] Sorry. -Who will win the title, 29 00:01:07,667 --> 00:01:09,767 the trophy, big bucks for a charity of their choice, 30 00:01:10,467 --> 00:01:13,367 and the $100,000 grand prize? 31 00:01:14,500 --> 00:01:16,667 This is "Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas." 32 00:01:17,667 --> 00:01:19,800 -Happy holidays. -[cheering] 33 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,867 [sleigh bells jingle] 34 00:01:28,367 --> 00:01:30,266 [audience cheers] 35 00:01:36,100 --> 00:01:39,567 Ladies and gentlemen, happy holidays to everybody 36 00:01:40,633 --> 00:01:42,800 and welcome to our All-Star Christmas Tournament. 37 00:01:43,900 --> 00:01:46,567 It's the first-ever team-versus-team competition in 38 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:48,200 the TOC Arena. 39 00:01:48,567 --> 00:01:50,200 [cheering] 40 00:01:51,233 --> 00:01:53,000 Would you like to meet our all-star duos and see 41 00:01:53,700 --> 00:01:54,000 who they're competing against? 42 00:01:54,967 --> 00:01:56,367 -[sleigh bells jingle] -[cheering continues] 43 00:01:57,133 --> 00:01:59,266 [Guy] Up first, in the A-Division, 44 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,266 we have our number-one seed sensations. 45 00:02:04,567 --> 00:02:09,100 I am talking about the two-time TOC Champ, Chef Maneet Chauhan, 46 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:13,166 and her partner in crime, Iron Chef Stephanie Izard. 47 00:02:14,333 --> 00:02:19,100 Talking about competition, Top Chef, Iron Chef, the OG of 48 00:02:19,867 --> 00:02:20,967 competition is right next to me. 49 00:02:21,333 --> 00:02:22,100 [cheering] 50 00:02:22,934 --> 00:02:23,367 [Stephanie] And then we have Maneet. 51 00:02:24,533 --> 00:02:27,200 Not only has won Tournament of Champions once, but twice. 52 00:02:27,767 --> 00:02:28,600 We are the team to beat. 53 00:02:29,767 --> 00:02:31,400 Well, they're taking on the number-four seed, 54 00:02:32,166 --> 00:02:33,900 the Bad Boys, the Dragon Slayer, 55 00:02:34,333 --> 00:02:35,166 Chef Kevin Lee. 56 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:37,367 And the award-winning restaurateur, 57 00:02:38,066 --> 00:02:40,467 the Boogeyman, Chef Dale Talde! 58 00:02:41,066 --> 00:02:43,300 -Let's go! -[cheering] 59 00:02:44,133 --> 00:02:45,967 Ah, so we're going up against them. 60 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:47,500 -Chefs, good luck. -Thank you, Chef. 61 00:02:49,367 --> 00:02:50,700 Next, we have the sweet-and-savory 62 00:02:51,367 --> 00:02:53,166 super duo, number-two seed, 63 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,367 eight-time James Beard Award-winner, 64 00:02:57,333 --> 00:03:01,767 and OG TOC judge, I can't believe he's here! 65 00:03:02,633 --> 00:03:04,867 The one-and-only Chef Marcus Samuelsson, 66 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:08,100 with his newest executive pastry chef, Rachel Sherriffe. 67 00:03:09,300 --> 00:03:12,000 [Marcus] Every competition that I've judged, I've cooked in, 68 00:03:12,900 --> 00:03:14,767 and TOC is no different. It's the holidays. 69 00:03:15,333 --> 00:03:16,300 I'm here with Rachel. 70 00:03:17,100 --> 00:03:18,667 I'm gonna enjoy every second of it. 71 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:20,467 Who are they gonna be facing off against? 72 00:03:21,300 --> 00:03:22,467 It's the number-three seed teammates, 73 00:03:23,467 --> 00:03:25,700 two-Michelin-starred chef, Chef Graham Elliot, 74 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,900 and his Michelin-starred friend, Chef Giuseppe Tentori. 75 00:03:31,900 --> 00:03:33,100 -Pleasure to have you. -Good to see you, boss. 76 00:03:33,834 --> 00:03:35,266 Let's talk about the B-Division. 77 00:03:36,033 --> 00:03:37,300 The number-one seed super squad, 78 00:03:38,333 --> 00:03:42,066 the TOC Champ, Mayday Chef Mei Lin. 79 00:03:43,266 --> 00:03:45,800 And her good friend, Martini Nini, 80 00:03:46,300 --> 00:03:47,000 Chef Nini Nguyen! 81 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:51,100 Who are they going up against? 82 00:03:52,233 --> 00:03:55,867 The number-four seed, Mr. Delicious, Chef Adam Sobel. 83 00:03:56,867 --> 00:03:59,500 And the great Hambino, Chef Christian Petroni! 84 00:03:59,867 --> 00:04:01,667 [cheering] 85 00:04:02,834 --> 00:04:04,967 -Right. -[Mei] Sorry, babies. It was nice knowing y'all. 86 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:06,900 Ladies and gentlemen, then... 87 00:04:07,567 --> 00:04:08,467 there's the number-two seed. 88 00:04:09,667 --> 00:04:13,767 The powerhouse duo competing together for the first time in 89 00:04:14,734 --> 00:04:17,166 a major tournament, the Voltaggio brothers! 90 00:04:18,333 --> 00:04:21,200 Top Chef winner, Chef Michael Voltaggio, and three-time 91 00:04:22,100 --> 00:04:24,967 Top Chef runner-up, Chef Ryan Voltaggio! 92 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:27,767 It took me a second to read the sweaters, and just so 93 00:04:28,633 --> 00:04:29,600 you know, this is really the way this is. 94 00:04:30,667 --> 00:04:33,300 I have the nice chef, and I have the naughty chef. 95 00:04:34,066 --> 00:04:36,100 The sibling rivalry, it's over -- 96 00:04:36,934 --> 00:04:37,500 we love each other. -[Bryan] We do. 97 00:04:37,867 --> 00:04:38,767 Sometimes. 98 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:39,967 Who are they gonna face off against? 99 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:41,800 The number-three seed, the incredible 100 00:04:42,433 --> 00:04:43,567 Kentucky culinary crew -- 101 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:46,166 "Chopped" legend and TOC 6 runner-up, 102 00:04:47,133 --> 00:04:50,667 the Duchess of Paducah -- Chef Sara Bradley! 103 00:04:51,700 --> 00:04:54,266 And in her first TOC competition, give it up for 104 00:04:54,834 --> 00:04:55,900 Chef Damaris Phillips. 105 00:04:57,100 --> 00:04:58,800 [Damaris] Christmas and the holidays are about traditions. 106 00:04:59,367 --> 00:05:00,567 Sometimes Southern food 107 00:05:01,333 --> 00:05:02,867 and Kentucky food is overlooked. 108 00:05:03,700 --> 00:05:05,900 This is the time of year when we shine. 109 00:05:06,700 --> 00:05:07,667 [Guy] Let's talk about C-Division. 110 00:05:08,734 --> 00:05:12,467 We have the four-time TOC finalist -- 111 00:05:13,300 --> 00:05:14,266 oh, he's back, ladies and gentlemen, 112 00:05:14,934 --> 00:05:16,700 the Jetster, Chef Jet Tila! 113 00:05:17,066 --> 00:05:18,567 [cheering] 114 00:05:19,500 --> 00:05:21,166 And the winner of "The Next Great Baker," 115 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,166 the Sugar Monster, Chef Ashley Holt! 116 00:05:25,467 --> 00:05:27,266 [Jet] When I heard we were doing All-Star Christmas and it was 117 00:05:28,233 --> 00:05:30,467 gonna be duos, I called on my pastry sister, 118 00:05:31,200 --> 00:05:33,100 who's badass mo-you-know-what, 119 00:05:34,033 --> 00:05:34,767 We're here together, and we're here to win. 120 00:05:35,767 --> 00:05:36,700 -Hey, brother. -Who are they going up against? 121 00:05:37,734 --> 00:05:38,867 They're going toe-to-toe with the number-four seed, 122 00:05:39,533 --> 00:05:41,100 the team from the Chop Shop. 123 00:05:41,934 --> 00:05:43,266 We have TOC's very first runner-up, 124 00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:47,467 Chef AF, Chef Amanda Freitag... -[cheering] 125 00:05:48,567 --> 00:05:51,467 ...and fellow "Chopped" judge, the Wild Man himself, 126 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:55,000 Chef Aarón Sánchez! -[cheering continues] 127 00:05:57,166 --> 00:05:59,800 Oh, no, dude. I don't want this. 128 00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:02,567 -[laughing] -No me gusta. I don't want this. 129 00:06:03,734 --> 00:06:06,367 Next, we have the dynamite duo, the number-two seed team, 130 00:06:07,467 --> 00:06:11,500 three-time TOC finalists, the Angry Italian herself, 131 00:06:12,033 --> 00:06:13,467 Chef Britt Rescigno, 132 00:06:14,767 --> 00:06:17,667 and her teammate, the James Beard Award-winner, 133 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,000 the Bearded Baller, Chef Jonathon Sawyer. 134 00:06:21,533 --> 00:06:23,400 [cheering continues] 135 00:06:24,066 --> 00:06:25,000 Welcome to the competition! 136 00:06:27,467 --> 00:06:30,767 They got a team to go against, the number-three seed team, 137 00:06:31,900 --> 00:06:36,000 the fearsome friends of TOC 6 finalists -- Mama Wong, 138 00:06:36,900 --> 00:06:39,266 Chef Lee Anne Wong, and dessert legend, 139 00:06:40,100 --> 00:06:42,500 the Sweet Assassin, Chef Zac Young! 140 00:06:44,166 --> 00:06:46,800 Oh! Good team! 141 00:06:47,967 --> 00:06:49,467 This might be the first time they called the pastry chef 142 00:06:50,333 --> 00:06:51,500 and said, "Who do you want to bring?" 143 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:53,266 I'm bringing the heavy hitter, 144 00:06:54,166 --> 00:06:57,166 Lee Anne. Like, I am not messing around. 145 00:06:58,266 --> 00:07:00,967 The last division. Division D. 146 00:07:02,867 --> 00:07:06,700 We're gonna start off with the number-two seed team. 147 00:07:07,533 --> 00:07:09,567 They have the West Coast Dream Team. 148 00:07:10,467 --> 00:07:12,100 The unstoppable "House of Knives" winner, 149 00:07:12,734 --> 00:07:15,367 making a gigantic return, 150 00:07:16,100 --> 00:07:17,500 the Dumpling Mafia Queen herself, 151 00:07:18,033 --> 00:07:20,467 Chef Shirley Chung! 152 00:07:21,633 --> 00:07:24,467 And the legendary James Beard Award-winning pastry chef, 153 00:07:25,367 --> 00:07:28,367 the Princess of Pastry, Chef Sherry Yard! 154 00:07:32,767 --> 00:07:34,567 [cheering continues] 155 00:07:35,867 --> 00:07:38,100 [Shirley speaking] 156 00:07:44,867 --> 00:07:47,000 Because what most folks don't know is that I, too, 157 00:07:47,934 --> 00:07:49,100 was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. 158 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:50,467 [Shirley speaking] 159 00:07:51,867 --> 00:07:53,300 Well, I want to just hand you 160 00:07:54,066 --> 00:07:56,000 your warrior trophy of life. -Aw. 161 00:07:56,633 --> 00:07:57,567 Because you surely are... 162 00:07:58,500 --> 00:08:00,367 [applause, cheering] 163 00:08:00,700 --> 00:08:02,567 Shirley! 164 00:08:03,734 --> 00:08:05,900 You are one of every chef's favorite people that has set 165 00:08:06,767 --> 00:08:08,867 an example of what it means to fight. 166 00:08:09,734 --> 00:08:11,400 Chef Shirley, you are, without a doubt, 167 00:08:12,533 --> 00:08:14,667 one of my favorite people. We're so happy to have you. 168 00:08:15,967 --> 00:08:18,300 [Shirley] We have the fighting spirit, and we know how to win. 169 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:19,667 -We got this. -We got this. 170 00:08:19,967 --> 00:08:20,800 Yeah. 171 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:25,166 They're gonna take on a mega gnarly 172 00:08:25,767 --> 00:08:27,467 number-three seed team. 173 00:08:28,567 --> 00:08:32,300 We have TOC finalist and Maryland Chef of the Year -- 174 00:08:33,333 --> 00:08:37,367 again, a warrior beyond measure, the one and only 175 00:08:38,033 --> 00:08:40,467 Huncho, Chef Tobias Dorzon! 176 00:08:41,700 --> 00:08:46,266 And his teammate, the "24 in 24" winner, they call him The Wolf 177 00:08:47,166 --> 00:08:50,800 for a good reason, Chef Marcel Vigneron! 178 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,600 [Tobias] Back in November, a tragic incident happened 179 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:00,867 where me and my girlfriend were out to dinner and we were 180 00:09:01,700 --> 00:09:04,100 gunned down and I was shot 11 times. 181 00:09:04,967 --> 00:09:07,600 So blessed to be where I am right now. 182 00:09:08,266 --> 00:09:09,100 Went through five surgeries 183 00:09:09,867 --> 00:09:11,700 and still on a long journey back. 184 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:14,467 I don't know if you folks know, but our good friend 185 00:09:15,500 --> 00:09:16,800 Tobias, they questioned if he was going to walk, 186 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:19,100 and I'll tell you, he's not just walking, but he's here in 187 00:09:19,867 --> 00:09:21,066 TOC All-Star Christmas. -Yes, sir. 188 00:09:21,433 --> 00:09:23,100 [cheering] 189 00:09:25,266 --> 00:09:27,367 And for the final matchup, ladies and gentlemen, 190 00:09:28,166 --> 00:09:29,166 we have the number-four seed team, 191 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:31,467 two-time Grocery Games award-winning 192 00:09:32,467 --> 00:09:35,400 wine-country restaurateur, the General herself, 193 00:09:35,934 --> 00:09:37,967 Chef Crista Luedtke! 194 00:09:38,834 --> 00:09:42,166 And Food Network star, the Spice Queen, 195 00:09:43,133 --> 00:09:47,467 Chef Aarti Sequeira, on her first TOC debut. 196 00:09:50,100 --> 00:09:51,200 One team left. 197 00:09:51,567 --> 00:09:53,300 [cheering] 198 00:09:55,467 --> 00:09:58,567 If you look around, there's one chef that we couldn't do 199 00:09:59,467 --> 00:10:00,800 this without. And you know who that is? 200 00:10:01,333 --> 00:10:02,400 [audience] Antonia! 201 00:10:03,533 --> 00:10:08,166 That's right, the reigning TOC champ, Princess Warrior, 202 00:10:08,700 --> 00:10:11,100 Chef Antonia Lofaso! 203 00:10:11,467 --> 00:10:12,367 [cheering] 204 00:10:19,467 --> 00:10:22,767 I wonder who Antonia brought? 205 00:10:23,667 --> 00:10:25,567 Oh, yeah, I'll tell you who she brought. 206 00:10:26,266 --> 00:10:28,400 Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli! 207 00:10:29,900 --> 00:10:32,367 [jaunty holiday music plays] 208 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:35,266 [applause, cheering] 209 00:10:41,367 --> 00:10:42,767 And that will round it out, folks. 210 00:10:43,433 --> 00:10:45,166 32 chefs ready to do battle. 211 00:10:46,066 --> 00:10:47,400 Love ya. Go get 'em. 212 00:10:48,166 --> 00:10:49,266 [Antonia] Coming in, seeded one, 213 00:10:49,967 --> 00:10:51,000 being the most recent winner, 214 00:10:51,967 --> 00:10:53,367 everyone is like, "They're the one to beat." 215 00:10:54,133 --> 00:10:55,000 The expectation for us is higher. 216 00:10:55,867 --> 00:10:56,500 But it's not as high as the expectation 217 00:10:57,266 --> 00:10:58,300 we have for ourselves. -Correct. 218 00:10:59,266 --> 00:11:00,367 So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, 219 00:11:01,633 --> 00:11:03,867 the lineup for "Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas." 220 00:11:05,066 --> 00:11:07,967 Now, the fact that you have joined forces as a super duo, 221 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,200 the judges are going to expect two holiday dishes 222 00:11:11,900 --> 00:11:13,800 from each team in every round. 223 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:16,867 That will mean a savory dish and a sweet dish, 224 00:11:17,834 --> 00:11:19,667 because a satisfying holiday entree deserves 225 00:11:20,166 --> 00:11:20,767 a festive dessert. 226 00:11:21,967 --> 00:11:24,700 The bad news is, just like in the Tournament of Champions, 227 00:11:25,700 --> 00:11:28,500 you win, you move on, you lose, you go, well, 228 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:30,200 with a coal in your stocking. 229 00:11:31,133 --> 00:11:32,567 And the team that wins the holiday contest, 230 00:11:33,467 --> 00:11:36,166 there is a beautiful TOC All-Star Trophy. 231 00:11:37,166 --> 00:11:38,700 Thanks to Carnival Cruise Line, we are awarding 232 00:11:39,233 --> 00:11:40,000 the winning team... 233 00:11:40,767 --> 00:11:44,300 $100,000. -[applause, cheering] 234 00:11:44,734 --> 00:11:46,266 [Guy] $100,000! 235 00:11:47,367 --> 00:11:48,567 Now, since it's the holidays, we also have some more 236 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:50,000 surprises under the tree. 237 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:53,900 We have golden gifts that go to the highest scoring teams in 238 00:11:54,567 --> 00:11:55,667 the first and second round. 239 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:58,800 And in honor of the season of giving, we will also be 240 00:11:59,467 --> 00:12:04,166 giving away another $100,000 241 00:12:05,333 --> 00:12:08,100 to charities for the highest scoring teams along the way. 242 00:12:10,500 --> 00:12:11,867 We're kicking things off... 243 00:12:13,100 --> 00:12:15,867 with one of the biggest battles of the season. 244 00:12:17,333 --> 00:12:21,500 It's a marquee showdown between two of TOC's most high-profile 245 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:24,867 finalists, along with their mega-talented teammates, 246 00:12:26,867 --> 00:12:30,467 Team Jet and Ashley versus Team Amanda and Aarón! 247 00:12:30,967 --> 00:12:33,266 [cheering erupts] 248 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:37,400 You guys, to your trailers! Goodbye! 249 00:12:38,100 --> 00:12:39,467 Chefs, thank you so very much! 250 00:12:43,967 --> 00:12:46,166 -[groans] -First -- ugh. I know. 251 00:12:47,033 --> 00:12:49,100 -Rip the Band-Aid off! -It's Christmas. 252 00:12:49,734 --> 00:12:50,567 Nobody cries on Christmas. 253 00:12:51,367 --> 00:12:53,066 Well, yeah, there's tears of joy. 254 00:12:53,867 --> 00:12:54,767 -Joy. -Which we're gonna be doing. 255 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:55,967 Joyous holiday. 256 00:12:57,033 --> 00:12:58,767 Our first two teams are getting ready to throw down 257 00:12:59,300 --> 00:13:00,800 some holiday dishes. 258 00:13:01,900 --> 00:13:04,000 First up, we have Chef Jet Tila and Chef Ashley Holt. 259 00:13:05,033 --> 00:13:07,767 They are number-one seeds, because, well, Jet is 260 00:13:08,834 --> 00:13:11,000 the winningest chef in this arena without a belt. 261 00:13:11,967 --> 00:13:13,667 And Ashley, well, she is a baking champion. 262 00:13:14,467 --> 00:13:15,767 Dude, I can't believe we're first. 263 00:13:16,734 --> 00:13:17,967 I guess there's no time to have nerves, but -- 264 00:13:18,834 --> 00:13:19,500 We have first seed and the first to go. 265 00:13:20,300 --> 00:13:22,200 Oh, now you're making me nervous. 266 00:13:23,266 --> 00:13:26,066 I asked Ashley Holt, please, please be my partner. 267 00:13:27,033 --> 00:13:27,567 We've known each other for quite a long time. 268 00:13:28,700 --> 00:13:29,767 She was my producer on "The Today Show" many years ago. 269 00:13:30,533 --> 00:13:32,166 She is one hell of a pastry chef. 270 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:34,400 -[Ashley] We're here to make some magic and... -[Jet] Win. 271 00:13:34,700 --> 00:13:35,767 And win. 272 00:13:36,333 --> 00:13:36,867 Now, their opponents, 273 00:13:37,767 --> 00:13:40,367 [scoffs], they are Food Network legends. 274 00:13:41,333 --> 00:13:43,300 Chef Amanda Freitag and Chef Aarón Sánchez. 275 00:13:44,500 --> 00:13:47,400 Amanda competed in the first TOC finale, and Aarón recently 276 00:13:48,433 --> 00:13:50,100 returned to cooking competitions, which explains 277 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:52,467 their number-four seed status. 278 00:13:53,033 --> 00:13:54,166 -We are a team. -Yeah. 279 00:13:55,033 --> 00:13:55,567 We've cooked together for many years. 280 00:13:56,767 --> 00:13:57,900 We know each other's style. We've eaten each other's food. 281 00:13:58,900 --> 00:13:59,567 What's going to be our strategy is we're gonna 282 00:14:00,300 --> 00:14:01,166 share, divide, and conquer. 283 00:14:02,266 --> 00:14:04,367 You and I both have a ton of experience in every area 284 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:05,500 of the kitchen. 285 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:07,367 So I'll do something savory, you do something sweet. 286 00:14:08,367 --> 00:14:09,400 I do something sweet, you do something savory. 287 00:14:10,367 --> 00:14:10,667 So what do you know about Amanda and Aarón? 288 00:14:11,767 --> 00:14:13,767 -They're "Chopped" legends. -[Jet] Fantastic chefs. 289 00:14:14,967 --> 00:14:15,867 -[Ashley] Absolutely. Tough competition. -Battle tested. 290 00:14:16,533 --> 00:14:17,266 There's no turning back now. 291 00:14:18,867 --> 00:14:20,667 -We got this. -We got this, Sis. 292 00:14:21,166 --> 00:14:22,100 It's on. Vamanos. 293 00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:26,367 Are you ready for the fight before Christmas? 294 00:14:26,734 --> 00:14:27,500 [cheering] 295 00:14:28,467 --> 00:14:30,100 Well, then let's light it up! 296 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,300 Chef Amanda Freitag received multiple glowing reviews from 297 00:14:37,333 --> 00:14:38,700 the New York Times as the executive chef before 298 00:14:39,700 --> 00:14:41,567 joining "Chopped" and is the only person to judge 299 00:14:42,100 --> 00:14:43,400 every single season. 300 00:14:47,166 --> 00:14:50,166 Now, she has won a total of six battles in this arena, 301 00:14:51,066 --> 00:14:53,166 and she was the first-ever TOC runner-up. 302 00:14:54,567 --> 00:14:58,266 Her teammate, Aarón Sanchez, is the chef-partner of three 303 00:14:59,133 --> 00:15:00,467 successful restaurants and was awarded 304 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:02,200 Best Latin American Restaurant 305 00:15:02,767 --> 00:15:03,867 by Time Out New York. 306 00:15:05,567 --> 00:15:09,700 Aarón has judged both "Chopped" and "Master Chef" and defeated 307 00:15:10,667 --> 00:15:13,166 Amanda, Geoffrey Zakarian, and Maneet Chauhan 308 00:15:13,734 --> 00:15:14,767 on "Chopped All-Stars." 309 00:15:16,467 --> 00:15:19,867 Give it up for Chef AF and the Wild Man -- 310 00:15:20,433 --> 00:15:22,467 team Amanda and Aarón! 311 00:15:22,967 --> 00:15:24,600 [cheering erupts] 312 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:35,100 You two. 313 00:15:36,100 --> 00:15:36,600 How long have you known each other -- 20 years? 314 00:15:37,467 --> 00:15:37,767 We came up in New York together, so... 315 00:15:38,433 --> 00:15:38,967 -It's been about 30. -Yeah. 316 00:15:39,767 --> 00:15:41,100 You are going to be a dynamic duo. 317 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:42,867 -[Amanda] Yeah. -Give it up, AF and Aarón! 318 00:15:43,233 --> 00:15:44,467 [cheering] 319 00:15:45,100 --> 00:15:45,800 Let's meet your opponents. 320 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,767 Chef Jet Tila is a master of Asian cuisine, who has opened 321 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:53,166 over 20 restaurants across the U.S. 322 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:56,100 Now, he has an Emmy and a James Beard nomination, 323 00:15:57,166 --> 00:15:59,667 who made the final four of Tournament of Champions 324 00:16:00,266 --> 00:16:01,767 four years in a row. 325 00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:06,467 His teammate, Chef Ashley Holt, is the owner 326 00:16:07,033 --> 00:16:08,600 of a luxury cake shop. 327 00:16:09,633 --> 00:16:11,867 She's a "Chopped" champion and beat out 12 other 328 00:16:12,734 --> 00:16:15,266 contestants to win "Next Great Baker." 329 00:16:16,867 --> 00:16:20,266 Give it up for the Jetster and the Sugar Monster, 330 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:22,867 Team Jet and Ashley! 331 00:16:23,233 --> 00:16:25,100 [cheering] 332 00:16:33,300 --> 00:16:36,867 Aarón, Ashley, first time in TOC, 333 00:16:37,667 --> 00:16:41,100 but you show up with seasoned pros. 334 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:43,400 And you two OGs, you know what time it is? 335 00:16:44,266 --> 00:16:45,200 It's time to take it to the randomizer! 336 00:16:45,567 --> 00:16:46,300 Let's go! 337 00:16:48,867 --> 00:16:51,367 -Aye-yi-yi. -All right. 338 00:16:51,700 --> 00:16:52,667 [groans] 339 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,667 and look at how we have disguised the randomizer to 340 00:16:58,433 --> 00:16:59,800 look friendly. -It's so festive. 341 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:01,000 [Guy] It is festive. 342 00:17:02,033 --> 00:17:03,367 Now, as you know, the randomizer will determine 343 00:17:04,367 --> 00:17:06,700 the mandatory details of both of your dishes. 344 00:17:07,867 --> 00:17:09,767 The mandatory savory item for one dish and the mandatory 345 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:12,867 sweet item for the other dish, and the equipment, 346 00:17:14,033 --> 00:17:16,967 the style, and the wild card, which is going to apply to 347 00:17:17,867 --> 00:17:19,667 both dishes. Now, doesn't that sound fun? 348 00:17:20,266 --> 00:17:21,700 -Yeah. -Totally -- oh! 349 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:25,367 -No. -My gift to you is, let's spin the randomizer. 350 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:26,567 Here we go, savory. 351 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:30,200 [Amanda] Come on, come on. 352 00:17:31,867 --> 00:17:33,467 I can't believe I'm here watching this right now. 353 00:17:34,233 --> 00:17:34,567 -This is crazy. -I know, I know. 354 00:17:35,500 --> 00:17:36,066 -And then you're gonna cook it! -[gasps] 355 00:17:36,867 --> 00:17:37,967 -[laughing] -[indistinct cheering] 356 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:41,567 [overlapping exclamations] 357 00:17:42,533 --> 00:17:46,900 Top sirloin, Honeycrisp apples, metal skewers, 358 00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:50,266 poached, and canned pumpkin. 359 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:51,367 [Amanda] How do you skewer canned pumpkin? 360 00:17:52,433 --> 00:17:52,767 [Aarón] Oh, why do you do this? 361 00:17:53,700 --> 00:17:54,967 [Guy] Here's a gift, because I'm the giver. 362 00:17:55,967 --> 00:17:57,367 You have 35 minutes on the clock, but I'm gonna 363 00:17:58,367 --> 00:18:00,600 give you two minutes to confer with one another 364 00:18:01,233 --> 00:18:02,000 before I start the clock. 365 00:18:03,033 --> 00:18:03,667 -What are you thinking? -Uh, OK, I think I'm gonna 366 00:18:04,367 --> 00:18:05,300 make a skewer, call it a kebab. 367 00:18:06,333 --> 00:18:06,800 Ashley and I have known each other for many years. 368 00:18:07,834 --> 00:18:09,567 She is top-notch in pastry land, and that's why 369 00:18:10,233 --> 00:18:11,100 I'm gonna be cooking savory. 370 00:18:11,967 --> 00:18:13,100 I'm dying to know what they're saying. 371 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:14,467 Like, what are they thinking? 372 00:18:15,467 --> 00:18:16,000 Like, what are we gonna do with canned pumpkin? 373 00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:17,767 So there will be pumpkin base, 374 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:20,066 poached apples, marshmallows... 375 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,467 Amanda Freitag can make just about any kind of cuisine. 376 00:18:24,333 --> 00:18:25,300 She's well-versed in desserts as well. 377 00:18:25,867 --> 00:18:26,567 We're gonna go relleno. 378 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:28,667 I'm gonna start grilling some peppers. 379 00:18:29,667 --> 00:18:32,000 Aarón is a triple, quadruple threat of cooking. 380 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:33,900 Not only does he have an authentic 381 00:18:34,967 --> 00:18:36,567 Mexican background, but he's classically trained. 382 00:18:37,734 --> 00:18:39,000 And the diversity of what we do, I think it's gonna make 383 00:18:39,834 --> 00:18:43,100 us stand out. -Three, two, one, go. 384 00:18:43,467 --> 00:18:44,667 [cheering] 385 00:18:46,166 --> 00:18:47,667 Well that got real, real fast. 386 00:18:51,066 --> 00:18:52,467 -[Guy] Well that got real, real fast. -[cheering] 387 00:18:53,033 --> 00:18:53,867 Here's a basket, Ash. 388 00:18:54,567 --> 00:18:56,367 This is a terrible randomizer. 389 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:00,367 There's no cohesive, kind of automatic way to go. 390 00:19:01,433 --> 00:19:02,500 We're just gonna stick with what we're strong at. 391 00:19:03,266 --> 00:19:04,867 I feel most comfortable in sweets. 392 00:19:05,867 --> 00:19:07,166 I think I'm gonna be sticking in my sweet lane. 393 00:19:08,133 --> 00:19:10,000 So, top sirloin, the mandatory savory item for 394 00:19:11,033 --> 00:19:12,767 one dish, not the most tender, definitely high in 395 00:19:13,300 --> 00:19:13,867 the flavor profile. 396 00:19:14,867 --> 00:19:16,200 The mandatory sweet item, Honeycrisp apples -- 397 00:19:17,300 --> 00:19:18,300 sweet tart flavor -- actually, out of all the apples, 398 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:19,400 it's my favorite. 399 00:19:20,033 --> 00:19:20,767 The equipment, the style, 400 00:19:21,867 --> 00:19:24,200 and the wild card need to be employed to both dishes. 401 00:19:25,367 --> 00:19:26,767 Metal skewers, I can see it in the meat, but in terms of 402 00:19:27,300 --> 00:19:28,266 the pastry, no clue. 403 00:19:29,066 --> 00:19:31,166 Poaching sirloin... I don't know. 404 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,367 Canned pumpkin, this is not seasoned. 405 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:35,467 We call it the wild card because it is. 406 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:38,567 Chef Aarón, welcome to TOC Holiday. 407 00:19:39,600 --> 00:19:40,867 -This is fantastic! -[Tiffani] How you feeling? 408 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:42,800 I'm feeling great. I got the best partner. 409 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:44,867 -[Tiffani] You sure do. -[Amanda] Thanks, guys. 410 00:19:45,567 --> 00:19:46,300 So, to help us better understand 411 00:19:47,066 --> 00:19:47,867 our team's sweet and savory moves, 412 00:19:48,967 --> 00:19:51,767 I'm joined by my own team of culinary commentators. 413 00:19:52,767 --> 00:19:53,667 Michelin recommended chef and food authority, 414 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:55,900 the wild card himself, Justin Warner. 415 00:19:56,900 --> 00:19:59,367 And award-winning restaurateur and TOC 3 champ, 416 00:20:00,166 --> 00:20:01,500 the one and only Chef Tiffani Faison. 417 00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:04,500 Now, Justin and Tiffani will closely track the preparation 418 00:20:05,567 --> 00:20:07,300 of our holiday dishes so they can faithfully present 419 00:20:08,266 --> 00:20:09,300 them to the judges during the blind tasting. 420 00:20:10,333 --> 00:20:11,667 -Are we dividing savory-sweet? -We're combo-ing. 421 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:14,300 I'm grinding for chile en nogada. 422 00:20:15,133 --> 00:20:16,100 Very Christmas holiday Mexican dish. 423 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:17,166 Sure is. 424 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:19,867 And then we're going into a pumpkin apple tart, 425 00:20:20,800 --> 00:20:22,066 a little cranberry, a little marshmallow. 426 00:20:22,734 --> 00:20:23,266 I like where this is going. 427 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:25,700 I want to help Amanda get a head start on 428 00:20:26,734 --> 00:20:27,800 the dessert, because, you know, that's gonna be 429 00:20:28,367 --> 00:20:28,967 the most time-consuming. 430 00:20:29,900 --> 00:20:30,467 [Amanda] Aarón is working on tart shells, 431 00:20:31,333 --> 00:20:32,667 so I have to grind that meat right away, 432 00:20:33,533 --> 00:20:34,900 and I grab the bacon as well to give it 433 00:20:35,533 --> 00:20:36,767 some fat and some flavor. 434 00:20:37,900 --> 00:20:38,667 Do you want me to put any onion or garlic or anything 435 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:40,667 through the grinder with this? -[Aarón] Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. 436 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:43,066 A little bit of cumin, a little bit of coriander, mama. 437 00:20:44,133 --> 00:20:44,800 [Amanda] We've cooked together at his mom's house, 438 00:20:45,767 --> 00:20:46,600 at each other's restaurants, spent some time 439 00:20:47,133 --> 00:20:47,867 in Mexico together. 440 00:20:48,734 --> 00:20:49,967 [Aarón] And we're so like-minded, yeah. 441 00:20:50,667 --> 00:20:52,200 This is my hermana, my sister. 442 00:20:53,033 --> 00:20:53,667 [Amanda] Tart shell in, tart shell in. 443 00:20:54,300 --> 00:20:54,867 Yes, tart shell in, Chef. 444 00:20:55,867 --> 00:20:57,700 Amanda already has that ground sirloin and bacon 445 00:20:58,533 --> 00:21:00,100 seasoned mixture for me already done, 446 00:21:01,233 --> 00:21:02,100 so I'm grabbing the elements that could potentially go 447 00:21:02,967 --> 00:21:04,367 inside that picadillo or that filling. 448 00:21:05,533 --> 00:21:07,100 Some grilled red bell peppers, which is what I'm putting, 449 00:21:07,734 --> 00:21:08,166 using the actual skewers. 450 00:21:09,100 --> 00:21:11,266 I'm also starting to fry the chile poblanos. 451 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:14,166 [Guy] Nice to see Aarón Sánchez in there competing. 452 00:21:14,934 --> 00:21:15,767 Haven't seen this in a long time. 453 00:21:16,333 --> 00:21:16,867 He hasn't missed a beat. 454 00:21:18,467 --> 00:21:21,400 -Jet, how we feeling, bud? -This randomizer is hard! 455 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:22,600 It is hard! 456 00:21:23,700 --> 00:21:25,667 I'm gonna be cooking savory, and I love top sirloin. 457 00:21:26,433 --> 00:21:27,200 I just didn't like anything else. 458 00:21:28,233 --> 00:21:30,467 -The combo of skewer, beef, and pumpkin, -Yeah. 459 00:21:31,333 --> 00:21:32,000 I was like, "Where do I go with that?" 460 00:21:33,266 --> 00:21:33,800 [Justin] Chef, we're gonna see a meatball, a skewer, a coleslaw? 461 00:21:35,166 --> 00:21:35,900 [Jet] You know what, we're gonna do a skewer that's gonna be more 462 00:21:36,467 --> 00:21:37,667 like a, kind of a kefta. 463 00:21:38,834 --> 00:21:40,000 You know, I'm gonna do a kebab on the skewer so they can 464 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:41,900 slide it off and eat it. -Nice play. 465 00:21:42,934 --> 00:21:44,867 Knowing this game, visually seeing a skewer will 466 00:21:45,567 --> 00:21:46,400 give us points in the judging. 467 00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:49,000 All right, Justin, I am going to poach these skewers 468 00:21:49,967 --> 00:21:50,867 in fat -- garlic butter. -[Justin] Understood. 469 00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:53,200 -Ash, how are you? -Doing good, Jet. 470 00:21:54,133 --> 00:21:54,667 -Doing good? -[Ashley] Yeah, how about you? 471 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:57,600 Uh...TBD. There's a lot going on at once. 472 00:21:58,433 --> 00:21:59,567 -Chef, flour, sugar? -Flour, sugar -- 473 00:22:00,300 --> 00:22:00,600 I'm making a fritter batter. 474 00:22:01,500 --> 00:22:01,967 [Justin] What's gonna be in that fritter? 475 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:03,867 [Ashley] So, I'm roasting some apples, 476 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:06,200 oranges, cinnamon -- I'm blending that up, mix that into, 477 00:22:06,767 --> 00:22:07,667 like, a roasted apple, 478 00:22:08,467 --> 00:22:10,467 a seasonal, like, harvest fritter. 479 00:22:11,567 --> 00:22:13,667 We have a lot of culinary experience under our belt, 480 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:17,367 but we've not cooked together in the kitchen tandem before. 481 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:19,400 [Ashley] And I know you can hold your own, I can hold my own. 482 00:22:20,266 --> 00:22:20,700 Like, we just got to trust each other. 483 00:22:21,100 --> 00:22:21,767 [Jet] Yeah. 484 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:23,767 Chef, how is your first TOC so far? 485 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:25,266 Oh, it's a lot. 486 00:22:26,367 --> 00:22:28,100 When I first started my baking business, I would make 487 00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:29,967 Honeycrisp apples every fall. 488 00:22:30,900 --> 00:22:32,867 So, they were actually the entryway into me 489 00:22:33,433 --> 00:22:34,100 being an entrepreneur. 490 00:22:35,300 --> 00:22:36,767 With 35 minutes, I know that I can make a delicious fritter 491 00:22:37,700 --> 00:22:39,367 that will represent our team in a great way. 492 00:22:40,166 --> 00:22:41,200 Yeah, and be able to fully execute. 493 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,700 Teams, 20 minutes left. 20 to go. 494 00:22:45,066 --> 00:22:46,100 [cheering] 495 00:22:47,266 --> 00:22:48,367 How you feeling, Chef? 496 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:51,266 I'm making a pumpkin tart with poached apples... 497 00:22:52,300 --> 00:22:54,600 -Nice. -...and toasty marshmallows on a skewer. 498 00:22:55,367 --> 00:22:56,066 Toasted marshmallows on a skewer. 499 00:22:56,700 --> 00:22:57,200 Good way to use a skewer. 500 00:22:58,333 --> 00:22:59,166 [Amanda] I'm using the technique of poaching the apples 501 00:23:00,233 --> 00:23:01,600 to sort of check that off the randomizer list. 502 00:23:02,133 --> 00:23:02,767 There's still sugar. 503 00:23:03,867 --> 00:23:05,900 But I also caramelize and then put them on a skewer, 504 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:08,967 almost like a candied apple. -[Tiffani] What do we got in here? 505 00:23:09,667 --> 00:23:09,900 [Amanda] Pumpkin, cream cheese. 506 00:23:10,834 --> 00:23:11,367 Watch out for 10X on your blouse. 507 00:23:12,467 --> 00:23:12,867 [Tiffani] Don't worry about it, don't worry about me. 508 00:23:13,900 --> 00:23:15,767 Whoo! Sorry. Sorry. 509 00:23:16,834 --> 00:23:18,000 I think, obviously, for dessert, pumpkin and apple 510 00:23:18,633 --> 00:23:19,767 go great for the holidays. 511 00:23:20,967 --> 00:23:23,667 And then I wanted a cranberry caramel to give that balance 512 00:23:24,333 --> 00:23:25,700 a ooey-gooey pumpkin flavor, 513 00:23:26,700 --> 00:23:29,000 bruleed marshmallow with a super sour cranberry. 514 00:23:30,333 --> 00:23:33,100 [Aarón] My sauce for the chilies en nogada, traditionally it calls 515 00:23:34,300 --> 00:23:36,367 for walnuts, and then I decided to use some of that pumpkin 516 00:23:37,533 --> 00:23:39,300 puree in there again to kind of marry everything together. 517 00:23:40,100 --> 00:23:42,300 Traditional meets the randomizer. 518 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:43,600 Are you stuffing peppers yet? 519 00:23:44,500 --> 00:23:45,166 No, I'm gonna peel them right now, honey. 520 00:23:46,467 --> 00:23:47,900 [Amanda] The best and worst part about Tournament of Champions -- 521 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:50,166 it's one and done, but we are determined. 522 00:23:51,300 --> 00:23:52,567 We're also full of heart, and I think that's something 523 00:23:53,633 --> 00:23:56,266 that around the holidays is exactly what you need 524 00:23:57,033 --> 00:23:58,100 for the win. -Yeah -- absolutely. 525 00:23:59,166 --> 00:24:01,100 To not succeed and at least progress through this 526 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:03,700 competition will be an absolute failure, 527 00:24:04,467 --> 00:24:05,166 and we're not gonna accept that. 528 00:24:07,867 --> 00:24:09,300 Chef, what's the score here? What do you got? 529 00:24:10,166 --> 00:24:12,667 This is going to be the poached garlic 530 00:24:13,166 --> 00:24:13,767 and onion harissa. 531 00:24:15,767 --> 00:24:17,567 -[thwacking] -There it is. 532 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:21,700 Canned pumpkin is my world, to make pumpkin pie. 533 00:24:22,667 --> 00:24:23,500 -[Ashley] Mm-hmm. -[Jet] I've never used it 534 00:24:24,734 --> 00:24:27,166 for anything else, so I was very stumped for a few minutes. 535 00:24:27,834 --> 00:24:28,200 What's in the pan over here? 536 00:24:28,934 --> 00:24:30,767 Cooking down my pumpkin hummus. 537 00:24:31,967 --> 00:24:32,300 -So, I'm gonna do, like, a pumpkin -- yeah. -Pumpkin hummus? 538 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:34,967 -Excellent. -I want to savory up my pumpkin hummus. 539 00:24:35,533 --> 00:24:36,166 Put some chicken powder. 540 00:24:36,734 --> 00:24:37,667 But it can read salty. 541 00:24:38,500 --> 00:24:39,800 I'm going to make a apple-mint slaw 542 00:24:40,900 --> 00:24:42,867 to balance out all the salt and umami on the plate. 543 00:24:44,166 --> 00:24:47,000 [Ashley] The pumpkin puree, I just need to turn it into a cream. 544 00:24:47,800 --> 00:24:49,000 I need to jump into your mixer, OK? 545 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:50,867 We'll whip some cream, add some sugar, vanilla, 546 00:24:51,867 --> 00:24:53,667 all the good stuff, fold in the pumpkin puree. 547 00:24:54,567 --> 00:24:55,867 -[Jet] Mascarpone, Chef. -[Ashley] Correct. 548 00:24:56,700 --> 00:24:58,467 Give it a little more body and depth. 549 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:01,600 -And it's gonna be good. -[Guy] How's the fritter, Chef? 550 00:25:02,133 --> 00:25:02,667 Looking good, Chef. 551 00:25:03,467 --> 00:25:04,567 Nice, made extra, broke one open, 552 00:25:05,266 --> 00:25:06,066 checking all the way through. 553 00:25:07,066 --> 00:25:07,500 [Ashley] I see it's a little underdone inside. 554 00:25:08,667 --> 00:25:10,400 I think if I fill it with the cream, it'll kind of help 555 00:25:11,066 --> 00:25:11,667 disguise that a little bit. 556 00:25:12,900 --> 00:25:15,367 You've come into this kitchen, and you've been razor-focused. 557 00:25:16,233 --> 00:25:16,800 -That is amazing. -[Ashley] Thank you. 558 00:25:17,734 --> 00:25:20,266 Teams, five minutes left in the competition. 559 00:25:20,767 --> 00:25:21,700 Five to be plated. 560 00:25:23,066 --> 00:25:24,100 -[Amanda] Aarón, you gotta hustle, hustle, hustle. -I know, I know. 561 00:25:25,100 --> 00:25:25,767 The first thing that I'm getting on this plate is 562 00:25:26,567 --> 00:25:27,700 the nogada sauce. It's the canvas. 563 00:25:28,767 --> 00:25:31,100 Stuffed poblano pepper, pomegranate, a little bit of 564 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,567 greens, micro cilantro, and all day long. 565 00:25:35,567 --> 00:25:36,367 -[Ashley] Behind. -I'll go left, you go right? 566 00:25:37,700 --> 00:25:41,600 -Yeah. -[Jet] I lay my kofta skewer down into that bed of hummus, 567 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:44,367 paint a little bit of the harissa. 568 00:25:45,133 --> 00:25:46,266 My God, I'm sweating like crazy. 569 00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:48,000 Two minutes, chefs. Two to go. 570 00:25:48,367 --> 00:25:49,700 Let's go. 571 00:25:50,734 --> 00:25:51,867 I'm taking the tart, topping it with some of that 572 00:25:52,900 --> 00:25:55,367 pumpkin-cream-cheese custard, poached cranberry. 573 00:25:56,033 --> 00:25:56,800 This is a little bit of me. 574 00:25:57,500 --> 00:25:58,367 This is a little bit of Aarón 575 00:25:59,300 --> 00:26:01,200 My apples and my marshmallows on a skewer. 576 00:26:02,300 --> 00:26:03,667 -30 seconds. -[Ashley] We have our soft fritter -- 577 00:26:04,633 --> 00:26:05,367 dust it with a little bit of powdered sugar. 578 00:26:06,467 --> 00:26:07,867 I'm happy that I was able to show up as a pastry chef 579 00:26:09,066 --> 00:26:11,200 and have a complete dessert on the plate for my first TOC. 580 00:26:12,166 --> 00:26:14,200 [Guy] 10, 9, 8... 581 00:26:14,867 --> 00:26:17,166 [audience joins] 7, 6, 5... 582 00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:20,800 4, 3, 2, 1 -- 583 00:26:21,433 --> 00:26:22,867 -We're done! -[cheering] 584 00:26:23,934 --> 00:26:25,367 Thank you so much! We'll leave it up to the judges! 585 00:26:26,133 --> 00:26:26,900 We will see you soon. Thank you. 586 00:26:27,266 --> 00:26:28,066 Great job. 587 00:26:28,834 --> 00:26:30,266 Dude, how was that? First cook? 588 00:26:31,133 --> 00:26:32,900 -That was insane. -Yeah, it is a blur. 589 00:26:34,133 --> 00:26:35,500 I'm happy with it, very much so, because I think what we did 590 00:26:36,667 --> 00:26:38,667 is we were able to invoke Christmas time, the holidays. 591 00:26:39,834 --> 00:26:42,867 -Oh, Sugar Monster. Ladies first. -Oh my god, Jetster! 592 00:26:43,233 --> 00:26:44,367 Thank you. 593 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:46,100 Come on, champ, 594 00:26:46,467 --> 00:26:47,200 Let's go. 595 00:26:47,967 --> 00:26:48,867 I think as a team we rocked it. 596 00:26:49,300 --> 00:26:50,000 [Aarón] Whew. 597 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:54,767 Hark -- we have three wise men and women to behold these 598 00:26:55,900 --> 00:26:57,767 Christmas dishes and hopefully shower these chefs with 599 00:26:58,667 --> 00:27:00,100 praise and points. Let's meet the judges. 600 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:02,166 First, James Beard, award-winning chef, 601 00:27:03,266 --> 00:27:04,567 who has opened some of the most acclaimed restaurants 602 00:27:05,233 --> 00:27:06,166 in the country. -Who is it? 603 00:27:07,033 --> 00:27:09,867 The one and only Chef Michelle Bernstein. 604 00:27:10,233 --> 00:27:11,667 [cheering] 605 00:27:13,867 --> 00:27:15,667 -Right? -I like this. 606 00:27:16,834 --> 00:27:18,667 -I love her so much! -[Guy] Chef, wonderful to see you. 607 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:20,100 And in the holidays! 608 00:27:21,166 --> 00:27:23,166 Next, we have the Emmy and James Beard Award-winner 609 00:27:24,367 --> 00:27:27,467 named Esquire Magazine's Chef of the Year, Chef Ming Tsai. 610 00:27:27,834 --> 00:27:30,667 [cheering] 611 00:27:31,567 --> 00:27:33,266 -How you feeling? -He's very technical. 612 00:27:34,300 --> 00:27:35,467 And finally, last but not least, celebrated chef 613 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:38,667 and New York Times bestselling author who has opened multiple 614 00:27:39,633 --> 00:27:41,166 Michelin star restaurants, Chef Curtis Stone. 615 00:27:41,734 --> 00:27:42,567 What's going on, buddy? 616 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:44,400 -Oh! -Curtis! 617 00:27:45,166 --> 00:27:46,367 -[cheering] -What a great panel. 618 00:27:47,266 --> 00:27:48,467 Well, chefs, you are in for it tonight. 619 00:27:49,633 --> 00:27:51,800 As you know, we have two chefs cooking for you right now. 620 00:27:52,867 --> 00:27:54,266 They had to work with the randomizer, make a sweet 621 00:27:54,700 --> 00:27:55,367 and savory dish. 622 00:27:56,233 --> 00:27:57,800 In savory, they got the opportunity to 623 00:27:58,367 --> 00:27:59,667 work with top sirloin. 624 00:28:00,500 --> 00:28:01,567 In sweet, the Honeycrisp apple. 625 00:28:02,667 --> 00:28:04,367 They both had to use the equipment of a metal skewer, 626 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:06,100 needed to employ poaching, 627 00:28:07,133 --> 00:28:08,800 and the wild card ingredient was canned pumpkin. 628 00:28:09,867 --> 00:28:12,467 And here to deliver all that information and more, 629 00:28:13,333 --> 00:28:15,567 the one and only chef, Tiffani Faison. 630 00:28:15,934 --> 00:28:18,166 [cheering] 631 00:28:19,000 --> 00:28:20,767 Let's talk about it. Eat it, eat it. 632 00:28:21,767 --> 00:28:22,266 [Tiffani] Judges, on the right, we'll start with 633 00:28:22,700 --> 00:28:23,266 the savory dish. 634 00:28:24,233 --> 00:28:25,900 You have chilies en nogada, Christmas-style. 635 00:28:27,066 --> 00:28:29,400 A roasted poblano that is stuffed with your top sirloin, 636 00:28:30,467 --> 00:28:32,767 ground with bacon, onion, garlic, and other spices 637 00:28:33,333 --> 00:28:34,100 to create a picadillo. 638 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:38,300 Red bell peppers were skewered and grilled and added 639 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:39,600 to the picadillo. 640 00:28:40,834 --> 00:28:43,900 On the bottom, the nogada sauce is your canned pumpkin puree, 641 00:28:45,066 --> 00:28:48,166 walnuts, and cream cheese. -I don't see a lot of nodding. 642 00:28:49,000 --> 00:28:51,266 -This is good. -This is really hard. 643 00:28:52,166 --> 00:28:53,667 On the left, your pumpkin and apple tart 644 00:28:54,367 --> 00:28:55,567 is a freshly-baked tart shell. 645 00:28:56,400 --> 00:28:57,400 The filling on top is canned pumpkin, 646 00:28:58,467 --> 00:29:00,066 caramelized white chocolate, and cream cheese with 647 00:29:00,767 --> 00:29:02,467 the cajeta-poached cranberries. 648 00:29:03,033 --> 00:29:03,867 Your Honeycrisp apples, 649 00:29:04,934 --> 00:29:05,667 they were poached in a little bit of apple cider, 650 00:29:06,633 --> 00:29:07,767 skewered, and roasted -- that is then finished 651 00:29:08,767 --> 00:29:09,166 with your marshmallows that have been skewered 652 00:29:09,934 --> 00:29:11,400 and roasted as well. -Oh, my God. 653 00:29:12,300 --> 00:29:15,500 -I'm nervous. -Very, very tasty dishes. 654 00:29:16,467 --> 00:29:17,367 -Yes. -[Ming] Let's start with the savory. 655 00:29:18,333 --> 00:29:19,367 I got to learn how to make chilies en nogada 656 00:29:20,333 --> 00:29:23,100 in Mexico City. It was so delicious like this. 657 00:29:24,100 --> 00:29:26,266 And this chef put tons of flavor in this meat. 658 00:29:27,300 --> 00:29:29,367 This second chef obviously has done some pastry. 659 00:29:30,433 --> 00:29:32,000 It's a delicious crust. There's butter in the crust. 660 00:29:32,900 --> 00:29:34,166 That bite of apple, marshmallow filling, 661 00:29:35,100 --> 00:29:37,467 and cranberries is a perfect holiday bite. 662 00:29:38,166 --> 00:29:39,000 -So, really impressive. -Yeah! 663 00:29:40,467 --> 00:29:41,800 [Michelle] You know, it's an interesting rendition of chilies en nogada. 664 00:29:42,433 --> 00:29:42,967 My husband's from Oaxaca. 665 00:29:44,033 --> 00:29:46,467 I make chilies en nogada also during our holidays. 666 00:29:47,700 --> 00:29:50,700 I'm not getting a huge amount of help from the bottom puree, 667 00:29:51,867 --> 00:29:52,900 I feel like it could have been just a little bit thinner, 668 00:29:53,934 --> 00:29:55,567 but all around, it's a really nice bite of food. 669 00:29:56,533 --> 00:29:59,500 Ming is right. This tart shell is everything. 670 00:30:00,533 --> 00:30:01,667 Like, the shell is amazing. It's buttery, right? 671 00:30:02,467 --> 00:30:04,700 A lot of butter helped, I told you. 672 00:30:05,533 --> 00:30:07,000 Like how I'm taking credit for that? 673 00:30:07,500 --> 00:30:08,367 [both] I told you. 674 00:30:09,266 --> 00:30:10,300 What's interesting is, now, apple, to me, 675 00:30:11,433 --> 00:30:13,867 is a little bit of the second thought after the tart. 676 00:30:14,900 --> 00:30:15,867 -That's good -- crust. -Yeah, that's really good. 677 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:17,467 Come on, Curtis. Come on, Curtis. 678 00:30:18,734 --> 00:30:21,066 Look, for me, the chili could have been cooked a little more. 679 00:30:22,266 --> 00:30:24,900 It still feels a little crunchy and maybe just a little more 680 00:30:25,934 --> 00:30:26,867 char on it would have given it just a little more 681 00:30:27,300 --> 00:30:28,100 depth of flavor. 682 00:30:28,967 --> 00:30:29,867 But all in all, very, very tasty dish. 683 00:30:30,967 --> 00:30:31,800 Moving on to the dessert, I looked at that and I was 684 00:30:32,533 --> 00:30:33,400 like, "Oh, it's a bit of a mess." 685 00:30:34,667 --> 00:30:36,166 When you think about dessert, you want it to be really pretty. 686 00:30:37,333 --> 00:30:38,567 -Yes. -[Curtis] And the apples that have been poached, 687 00:30:39,467 --> 00:30:40,166 they're a little soft to go on a skewer, 688 00:30:40,967 --> 00:30:41,767 so I'm not sure if it's a great use 689 00:30:42,200 --> 00:30:43,166 of the skewer. 690 00:30:44,133 --> 00:30:45,500 I'll tell you what, though, what it loses in 691 00:30:46,533 --> 00:30:48,100 presentation, it really makes up for in flavor. 692 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,166 And the cranberries really bring a brightness to it. 693 00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:53,467 -Flavor! -[Curtis] Eats really deliciously. 694 00:30:53,967 --> 00:30:54,600 -OK. -All right. 695 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:56,500 -All right -- hope! Hope! -Good cop, bad cop. 696 00:30:57,700 --> 00:30:59,567 All right, judges, we have two separate scorecards for you. 697 00:31:00,567 --> 00:31:01,200 We are going to score dishes individually. 698 00:31:02,467 --> 00:31:05,300 Remember, 50 points maximum for each dish, 25 points for taste, 699 00:31:06,433 --> 00:31:09,000 20 points for the use of the randomizer, and five points 700 00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:11,567 for the presentation. -I like what they said. 701 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:12,667 I think so, too. 702 00:31:13,800 --> 00:31:14,700 And I just like the fact that we committed to an idea. 703 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:16,166 -Yep. -And we didn't waver. 704 00:31:16,734 --> 00:31:17,367 We're just warming up. 705 00:31:18,533 --> 00:31:20,100 So here to describe the second team's delicious dishes is 706 00:31:21,333 --> 00:31:22,667 the fellow food ambassador, the one and only Justin Warner. 707 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:25,266 -Thank you. -[Jet] Just let me know after it's done. 708 00:31:26,166 --> 00:31:27,100 Judges, before you, you have two plates. 709 00:31:27,934 --> 00:31:28,767 The first of which, our savory dish 710 00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:30,000 for the evening. 711 00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:33,867 The top sirloin was ground with garlic, onion, some za'atar, 712 00:31:34,667 --> 00:31:36,400 and then skewered to form a kefta. 713 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:39,667 That was then grilled and finished by poaching in butter. 714 00:31:40,734 --> 00:31:41,767 For canned pumpkin, judges, you will find that is 715 00:31:42,433 --> 00:31:43,700 a hummus beneath the kefta. 716 00:31:44,834 --> 00:31:47,166 And then that slaw was done with the apples, snap pea, 717 00:31:47,834 --> 00:31:49,100 and a little bit of labneh. 718 00:31:50,433 --> 00:31:53,100 Our sweet component -- this is a roasted Honeycrisp apple fritter. 719 00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:54,867 The accompanying pumpkin cream 720 00:31:55,800 --> 00:31:57,066 topped with a bit of poached pear relish. 721 00:31:58,166 --> 00:31:59,900 For the Honeycrisp apple, you will find that grilled 722 00:32:00,600 --> 00:32:02,567 and inside of the fritter. 723 00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:04,767 Now, those apples were also skewered. 724 00:32:05,700 --> 00:32:07,567 The pears were poached in a bit of red wine, 725 00:32:08,467 --> 00:32:10,767 some butter and sugar. -Come on, come on. 726 00:32:11,633 --> 00:32:12,900 I love this fritter. It's really good. 727 00:32:14,066 --> 00:32:15,000 In fact, I started with it and I'm gonna finish with it. 728 00:32:15,800 --> 00:32:18,200 -Ooh, yay. -I told you, I told you. 729 00:32:19,433 --> 00:32:22,400 I love how they use the apple component, and I love the use 730 00:32:23,200 --> 00:32:24,700 of the canned pumpkin in the whip. 731 00:32:25,233 --> 00:32:25,867 I think that's fun. 732 00:32:26,767 --> 00:32:29,166 The kofta, the chef did a really good job 733 00:32:30,233 --> 00:32:32,667 at spicing it up, but then it's just really salty. 734 00:32:33,133 --> 00:32:34,400 -Whoa... -Uh-oh. 735 00:32:34,700 --> 00:32:35,767 [groan] 736 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:38,467 -She's tough. She's tough. -Mm. Good. 737 00:32:39,066 --> 00:32:40,467 -Chef Ming? -Disagree! 738 00:32:41,233 --> 00:32:42,266 Beautiful-looking tight plates. 739 00:32:43,166 --> 00:32:45,066 You can see the skewer, so visually nailed 740 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:47,567 the randomizer really well. Starting with the savory. 741 00:32:48,233 --> 00:32:49,266 Mine is well-seasoned, bold. 742 00:32:50,033 --> 00:32:50,900 It's not overly too salty for me. 743 00:32:51,900 --> 00:32:53,100 -Bold. I like that, yeah. -[Ming] It is spicy. 744 00:32:53,467 --> 00:32:54,100 I love it. 745 00:32:55,033 --> 00:32:56,100 I, too, like Michelle, love these fritters. 746 00:32:56,934 --> 00:32:58,667 This pumpkin butter dip is delicious. 747 00:32:59,233 --> 00:32:59,767 This is a perfect combo. 748 00:33:01,166 --> 00:33:02,567 -All right. -Yeah. 749 00:33:03,800 --> 00:33:04,767 -Curtis Stone, what you got for us? -[Jet] Come on, Curtis. 750 00:33:06,066 --> 00:33:07,800 [Curtis] OK, so let's talk about this kofta, because top sirloin, 751 00:33:08,900 --> 00:33:10,400 it will be dry, but then they've poached it in butter. 752 00:33:11,533 --> 00:33:13,767 And I think that's a very clever way to use poaching, 753 00:33:14,767 --> 00:33:15,700 and it's a very clever way to use top sirloin. 754 00:33:16,700 --> 00:33:18,767 -I'm impressed by it. -Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 755 00:33:19,667 --> 00:33:20,100 [Curtis] I love the crunch of the apples. 756 00:33:21,033 --> 00:33:22,200 As a slaw, I think it works really nicely. 757 00:33:23,033 --> 00:33:24,266 The puree is just too salty, sadly. 758 00:33:25,166 --> 00:33:26,266 Duuude. 759 00:33:27,300 --> 00:33:29,767 You never hear that with Jet's food, ever, ever. 760 00:33:30,600 --> 00:33:31,767 I love the apple and pear combination. 761 00:33:32,734 --> 00:33:33,467 They grow together, they go together, right? 762 00:33:34,166 --> 00:33:35,667 That pumpkin whip is delicious. 763 00:33:36,834 --> 00:33:38,100 This is exactly what I'd want served at a holiday table. 764 00:33:38,834 --> 00:33:40,367 So the dessert, really on point. 765 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:42,700 Oh, my god! Did I make you proud? 766 00:33:43,734 --> 00:33:45,700 You made me so proud! You did such a great job! 767 00:33:46,667 --> 00:33:48,100 Great, judges, score cards in front of you. 768 00:33:48,667 --> 00:33:49,900 Oh, Ash, I'm so sorry. 769 00:33:50,700 --> 00:33:53,667 Like, I messed us up on seasoning. 770 00:33:54,266 --> 00:33:54,700 -Yeah. -Ming liked it. 771 00:33:55,467 --> 00:33:56,467 -But gameplay was strong. -Yeah. 772 00:33:57,500 --> 00:33:59,200 Let me tell you, you can overlook a lot of things. 773 00:34:00,467 --> 00:34:02,767 Oversalting is probably the hardest thing, or overcooking. 774 00:34:03,467 --> 00:34:04,266 They love the dessert, though. 775 00:34:05,133 --> 00:34:05,867 All right, judges, thank you very much. 776 00:34:06,934 --> 00:34:07,800 -More competition coming up. -It can go either way. 777 00:34:08,800 --> 00:34:09,400 You can be surprised, yeah. It's super close. 778 00:34:10,033 --> 00:34:11,066 What a crazy first battle! 779 00:34:12,900 --> 00:34:14,000 [deep breath] 780 00:34:14,900 --> 00:34:16,867 -Here we go. -Let's go find out our fate. 781 00:34:17,433 --> 00:34:18,367 Time to face the music. 782 00:34:19,867 --> 00:34:21,066 Ladies and gentlemen, the judges have 783 00:34:21,967 --> 00:34:23,400 tallied the scores. I have the results. 784 00:34:24,333 --> 00:34:25,100 And let's bring our chefs back in, please. 785 00:34:26,066 --> 00:34:28,166 Chefs AF, Chef Aarón, Chef Jet, Chef Ashley. 786 00:34:28,533 --> 00:34:31,000 [cheering] 787 00:34:35,867 --> 00:34:38,266 I will tell you, both teams, dynamite cooks. 788 00:34:39,033 --> 00:34:40,000 You should be very proud, right? 789 00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:41,166 -[cheering] -Audience? Great job. 790 00:34:42,367 --> 00:34:44,066 In savory... 791 00:34:45,233 --> 00:34:49,166 one team scored a 39 out of 50. The other team scored... 792 00:34:49,467 --> 00:34:50,667 ...a 38. 793 00:34:51,200 --> 00:34:52,567 -Ooh. -Oh, shoot. 794 00:34:53,233 --> 00:34:55,166 -Wow, that's close. -Dude. 795 00:34:55,600 --> 00:34:56,767 In the sweets, 796 00:34:57,467 --> 00:34:59,767 one team scored a 40 out of 50, 797 00:35:00,667 --> 00:35:03,266 and one team scored a 44 out of 50. 798 00:35:03,867 --> 00:35:04,767 -[audience] Ooh. -My God. 799 00:35:06,100 --> 00:35:11,800 With a total of 79 for one team and 82 for the other, 800 00:35:13,066 --> 00:35:15,667 the winner of the premier TOC All-Star Christmas Battle is... 801 00:35:23,000 --> 00:35:25,800 The winner of the premier TOC All-Star Christmas Battle is... 802 00:35:31,567 --> 00:35:32,967 Jet and Ashley! 803 00:35:33,834 --> 00:35:35,266 -[Aarón] Man! -[Guy] Congratulations. 804 00:35:36,266 --> 00:35:38,300 -[indistinct mumbling] -[Guy] Congratulations! 805 00:35:38,834 --> 00:35:39,900 [cheering continues] 806 00:35:40,734 --> 00:35:41,767 -[indistinct] -It was such an honor. 807 00:35:42,800 --> 00:35:43,400 -It was beautiful. -[Aarón] Thank you very much, 808 00:35:44,567 --> 00:35:46,667 I appreciate it. -[Guy] Congratulations, Jet and Ashley. 809 00:35:47,867 --> 00:35:49,967 And I think it was a valiant effort, Aarón, to see you come 810 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:52,166 and cook, and especially with such a dear friend 811 00:35:53,000 --> 00:35:53,867 and the two of you working together, 812 00:35:54,433 --> 00:35:54,867 you did a dynamite job. 813 00:35:55,800 --> 00:35:56,166 -Thank you. -I'm sorry you're going home. 814 00:35:57,033 --> 00:35:58,100 Chef AF, Chef Aarón, thank you so much. 815 00:35:58,467 --> 00:35:59,767 [cheering] 816 00:36:04,367 --> 00:36:06,100 -I'm so proud of you. -I think we did a great job. 817 00:36:07,100 --> 00:36:08,400 -[indistinct] -I just wanted to do that again. 818 00:36:09,400 --> 00:36:11,266 -Me too, I just wanted to do it. -We were ready. 819 00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:14,467 -I thought -- I loved our food. -I thought it was great. 820 00:36:14,734 --> 00:36:16,100 Wow! 821 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:18,800 Did you think that was yours? 822 00:36:19,834 --> 00:36:23,100 I thought I might have hurt us on the seasoning. 823 00:36:24,300 --> 00:36:25,400 I will tell you this, though. You've won your first round! 824 00:36:26,233 --> 00:36:28,400 Congratulations! Chef Ashley, Chef Jet! 825 00:36:29,233 --> 00:36:30,400 Ashley and Jet, we will see you soon. 826 00:36:31,133 --> 00:36:32,000 Congratulations. First round win. 827 00:36:32,533 --> 00:36:33,900 -Thank you. -Whoo! 828 00:36:34,767 --> 00:36:37,266 -[indistinct] thank you! -Thank you guys! 829 00:36:38,367 --> 00:36:39,567 How do you feel? It's your first win. How do you feel? 830 00:36:40,266 --> 00:36:42,000 Feel awesome! That's great! 831 00:36:42,934 --> 00:36:44,066 First time in the TOC arena. How's it feel? 832 00:36:44,867 --> 00:36:46,367 Oh, my gosh! That was nuts. Crazy! 833 00:36:47,233 --> 00:36:47,867 That wasn't my best cook, straight up. 834 00:36:48,667 --> 00:36:51,000 My pastry partner saved my rear end. 835 00:36:51,934 --> 00:36:53,467 Are you ready to meet the next two teams? 836 00:36:53,900 --> 00:36:54,900 [audience] Yeah! 837 00:36:56,100 --> 00:36:59,400 Our number-two seed team is celebrated chef Shirley Chung 838 00:37:00,166 --> 00:37:02,500 and pastry master Sherry Yard. 839 00:37:03,400 --> 00:37:05,300 Now, Shirley is a fierce culinary fighter, 840 00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:07,967 while Sherry is a decorated pastry chef. 841 00:37:09,133 --> 00:37:11,166 The two are longtime friends, and Sherry recently helped 842 00:37:11,967 --> 00:37:13,467 Shirley through a real-life battle. 843 00:37:13,967 --> 00:37:15,367 [Shirley speaking] 844 00:37:30,367 --> 00:37:33,266 And I just love you, and I can't wait for us to 845 00:37:33,834 --> 00:37:34,467 make memories. -Yes. 846 00:37:35,433 --> 00:37:37,400 Now, their opponents are the number-three seed, 847 00:37:38,367 --> 00:37:40,567 Team Tobias Dorzon and Chef Marcel Vigneron. 848 00:37:41,500 --> 00:37:43,567 Now, Chef Tobias rocketed to the semifinals 849 00:37:44,166 --> 00:37:46,100 his first time on TOC. 850 00:37:47,333 --> 00:37:49,400 And after years of culinary competition, Marcel finally has 851 00:37:50,266 --> 00:37:51,467 a major tournament win under his belt, 852 00:37:52,266 --> 00:37:53,667 and is hungry for his TOC victory. 853 00:37:54,700 --> 00:37:55,667 [Tobias] You tie your shoes, that's when you know 854 00:37:56,233 --> 00:37:57,100 battle mode right here. 855 00:37:58,000 --> 00:37:58,967 [Guy] Both friends know they're underdogs, 856 00:38:00,266 --> 00:38:02,467 but Tobias, well, he has proven that he can overcome anything. 857 00:38:03,700 --> 00:38:06,367 A little over a year ago this time, I was in a hospital bed. 858 00:38:06,900 --> 00:38:07,467 I was shot 11 times. 859 00:38:08,533 --> 00:38:11,667 I was told the possibility of never walking again. 860 00:38:12,767 --> 00:38:15,100 So being here with my guy, you know, ready to take on 861 00:38:16,233 --> 00:38:17,500 everything that comes our way, it's no better feeling. 862 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:19,967 Thank you for choosing me to be a part of 863 00:38:20,500 --> 00:38:21,400 your comeback story. 864 00:38:22,433 --> 00:38:24,100 Honored and flattered to be here cooking alongside 865 00:38:24,533 --> 00:38:25,367 my boy Tobias. 866 00:38:26,367 --> 00:38:27,266 We're just gonna take the world by storm, baby! 867 00:38:31,000 --> 00:38:32,100 Yes. 868 00:38:33,100 --> 00:38:34,367 -OK...done. -OK. 869 00:38:35,367 --> 00:38:37,000 Sherry's probably got a leg up on us as pastry. 870 00:38:37,700 --> 00:38:39,266 She helped make Wolfgang Puck. 871 00:38:40,433 --> 00:38:42,967 You know, she was his pastry chef, you know, for decades. 872 00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:45,166 -Fabulous. -Hey! 873 00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:49,400 All right. Let's do it, Chef. 874 00:38:50,400 --> 00:38:53,166 Are you ready for a culinary Christmas miracle? 875 00:38:53,967 --> 00:38:57,667 -Let's light this up! -[cheering] 876 00:38:58,734 --> 00:39:00,300 Chef Tobias has gone from professional athlete to 877 00:39:01,500 --> 00:39:05,500 a celebrated executive chef, named 2024 Chef of the Year by 878 00:39:06,333 --> 00:39:07,300 the Maryland Restaurant Association. 879 00:39:10,100 --> 00:39:13,567 But Tobias, well he has proven that he can overcome anything. 880 00:39:14,867 --> 00:39:17,967 Chef Marcel Vigneron has worked under world-renowned chefs such 881 00:39:19,066 --> 00:39:21,300 as Jose Andres, and his eatery, Wolf, was named one of 882 00:39:22,333 --> 00:39:24,367 the top-ten best new restaurants by LA Magazine. 883 00:39:25,567 --> 00:39:28,400 He was the runner-up on season two of Top Chef and beat out 884 00:39:29,567 --> 00:39:32,467 almost two dozen acclaimed chefs to become the first-ever 885 00:39:33,033 --> 00:39:35,567 winner of "24 in 24." 886 00:39:36,600 --> 00:39:38,266 Put your hands together for Huncho and the Wolf. 887 00:39:38,834 --> 00:39:40,166 Team Tobias and Marcel! 888 00:39:40,533 --> 00:39:42,000 [cheering] 889 00:39:46,667 --> 00:39:47,867 -Ha-ha. -My brothers. 890 00:39:49,233 --> 00:39:51,600 My brothers -- gentlemen, it's a pleasure to have you. 891 00:39:52,734 --> 00:39:53,266 -Congratulations. -[Marcel] Thank you for having us. 892 00:39:53,934 --> 00:39:54,667 Let's meet their opponents. 893 00:39:57,000 --> 00:40:00,100 Now, Chef Shirley Chung opened restaurants in Las Vegas to 894 00:40:01,033 --> 00:40:02,200 the likes of Thomas Keller and Jose Andres, 895 00:40:03,667 --> 00:40:06,500 before opening her own L.A. eatery famed for 896 00:40:07,166 --> 00:40:08,967 its best-selling dumplings. 897 00:40:10,166 --> 00:40:12,266 Now, Sherry Yard... 898 00:40:13,367 --> 00:40:15,567 was the head pastry chef at Wolfgang Puck worldwide, 899 00:40:16,333 --> 00:40:17,900 including Spago and Rainbow Room. 900 00:40:19,066 --> 00:40:20,800 Give it up for the Dumpling Mafia Queen 901 00:40:21,900 --> 00:40:25,367 and the Princess of Pastry, Team Shirley and Sherry! 902 00:40:27,066 --> 00:40:28,767 [cheering] 903 00:40:29,467 --> 00:40:30,667 [cheerful holiday music plays] 904 00:40:36,266 --> 00:40:38,767 If you play that music, you should be worried. 905 00:40:39,633 --> 00:40:40,767 -Audience, are you ready? -[cheering] 906 00:40:41,633 --> 00:40:42,700 Teams, let's take it to the randomizer. 907 00:40:43,133 --> 00:40:43,867 Right this way. 908 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:48,300 [cheering continues] 909 00:40:49,333 --> 00:40:50,667 Now, as you know, the randomizer will determine 910 00:40:51,667 --> 00:40:54,166 the mandatory details of both of your dishes. 911 00:40:55,233 --> 00:40:56,700 -Is charcoal a wild card ingredient? -[laughing] 912 00:40:57,367 --> 00:40:58,567 Let's get busy. Here we go. 913 00:40:58,867 --> 00:40:59,600 Savory. 914 00:41:00,166 --> 00:41:01,467 [cheering erupts] 915 00:41:05,567 --> 00:41:06,667 I'm getting dizzy looking. 916 00:41:09,667 --> 00:41:11,100 Littlenecks! 917 00:41:12,000 --> 00:41:13,667 Strawberries. 918 00:41:14,166 --> 00:41:15,500 -Box grater. -OK. 919 00:41:16,300 --> 00:41:18,900 -Oh. -[Guy] Glazed, and fruitcake. 920 00:41:19,533 --> 00:41:20,867 -Fruitcake? -Fruitcake. 921 00:41:21,567 --> 00:41:21,967 -[Guy] Ooh. -[Shirley] Wow. 922 00:41:22,967 --> 00:41:23,300 -[Guy] Woof. -[Sherry] That one's interesting. 923 00:41:24,266 --> 00:41:25,767 What was the last thing you did, Chef Marcel, 924 00:41:26,266 --> 00:41:26,867 with a fruitcake? 925 00:41:27,934 --> 00:41:28,767 Well, I mean, give it to a friend as a recycled gift. 926 00:41:29,333 --> 00:41:30,000 I use it for a doorstop. 927 00:41:30,967 --> 00:41:32,367 -Paperweight. -Yeah. 928 00:41:33,500 --> 00:41:35,066 Chefs, you have 35 minutes to cook, but I'm gonna give 929 00:41:36,300 --> 00:41:39,166 you two minutes before we start the clock to confer as a team. 930 00:41:39,667 --> 00:41:40,166 Littleneck clams. 931 00:41:41,066 --> 00:41:42,166 Are we taking them out and glazing them? 932 00:41:43,300 --> 00:41:45,266 [Marcel] Tobias is gonna do savory. I'm gonna do sweet. 933 00:41:46,300 --> 00:41:48,000 But at the same time, we're still a team, right? 934 00:41:49,133 --> 00:41:49,867 -Yes. -So, we're gonna bounce ideas off each other. 935 00:41:50,433 --> 00:41:51,166 [Sherry] Strawberries. 936 00:41:55,500 --> 00:41:57,367 I have a reputation. 937 00:41:57,934 --> 00:41:59,100 I don't like to bake, 938 00:42:00,133 --> 00:42:01,600 so my best friends are always pastry chefs. 939 00:42:02,133 --> 00:42:02,667 Glazed strawberries. 940 00:42:03,166 --> 00:42:03,767 Glazed box grater, 941 00:42:04,533 --> 00:42:05,166 glazed strawberries. -Fruitcake. 942 00:42:05,934 --> 00:42:06,800 Three, two, one, and you can begin. 943 00:42:07,300 --> 00:42:09,300 -Ah! -[cheering] 944 00:42:11,467 --> 00:42:13,100 [Guy] And they're off. 945 00:42:14,166 --> 00:42:16,166 The biggest challenge is actually combining all of 946 00:42:16,700 --> 00:42:17,200 the stuff together. 947 00:42:18,033 --> 00:42:18,567 [Tobias] There's many things we can do 948 00:42:19,400 --> 00:42:20,100 with strawberries to make a dessert. 949 00:42:20,934 --> 00:42:22,367 Different ways we can cook the clams, 950 00:42:23,333 --> 00:42:24,500 but how are we going to incorporate a pre-made 951 00:42:25,066 --> 00:42:26,100 fruitcake with clams? 952 00:42:29,667 --> 00:42:31,166 And they're off. Littleneck clams. 953 00:42:31,867 --> 00:42:32,467 They're sweet. They're small. 954 00:42:33,233 --> 00:42:33,900 They're delicious. Strawberries. 955 00:42:35,066 --> 00:42:36,967 You know that the flavor is just next level when they've 956 00:42:37,867 --> 00:42:38,667 had a chance to really ripen on the vine. 957 00:42:40,000 --> 00:42:41,266 Box grater -- everybody knows the box grater for grating cheese, 958 00:42:41,934 --> 00:42:42,500 but it's got a zester on it. 959 00:42:43,700 --> 00:42:46,100 Glazing gives you this nice translucent coating that goes 960 00:42:47,166 --> 00:42:48,600 on there on the outside. Fruitcake is the weird one. 961 00:42:49,600 --> 00:42:51,567 So this is studded with dried fruits and nuts. 962 00:42:52,133 --> 00:42:53,266 This should probably be 963 00:42:54,066 --> 00:42:54,767 the hinge pin to the competition. 964 00:42:55,734 --> 00:42:57,867 [chanting] Fruitcake! Fruitcake! Fruitcake! 965 00:42:59,000 --> 00:42:59,667 [Tiffani] Have you guys known each other for a while? 966 00:43:00,867 --> 00:43:02,200 Yeah, we met on "Guy's Grocery Games," I think it was, 967 00:43:02,767 --> 00:43:03,567 many, many moons ago. 968 00:43:04,600 --> 00:43:06,100 [Tobias] I've known Marcel from previous battles, 969 00:43:06,900 --> 00:43:07,700 but I like to battle with the best. 970 00:43:08,734 --> 00:43:09,700 If I'm ever gonna have to team up with somebody, 971 00:43:10,467 --> 00:43:11,266 I want to team up with somebody 972 00:43:12,133 --> 00:43:13,100 just as good, if not better, than me. 973 00:43:14,166 --> 00:43:14,567 [Tiffani] You guys were not the Christmas coupling 974 00:43:15,133 --> 00:43:16,600 I had on my Bingo card. 975 00:43:17,533 --> 00:43:18,100 I'm thrilled to see you guys here together, 976 00:43:18,600 --> 00:43:19,500 but I'm surprised. 977 00:43:20,400 --> 00:43:20,867 [Marcel] Oh, we're like, the yin and yang. 978 00:43:21,834 --> 00:43:23,266 He's got big muscles, I don't have muscles. 979 00:43:24,266 --> 00:43:25,567 I'm fast, he's a little bit slower right now. 980 00:43:26,734 --> 00:43:28,100 -Yeah. -So, we just like, we fill in each other's gaps. 981 00:43:29,300 --> 00:43:32,300 -[Tiffani] What's the plan? -A -- a play on clams casino. 982 00:43:33,300 --> 00:43:34,200 We're gonna put a little bit of Mexican chorizo 983 00:43:35,133 --> 00:43:36,467 in the clams, once we open them up. -OK. 984 00:43:36,967 --> 00:43:37,767 There's a crumble. 985 00:43:38,734 --> 00:43:39,667 And uh, you know I like people to come early 986 00:43:40,767 --> 00:43:42,000 on Christmas dinner -- clams casino is something that 987 00:43:42,800 --> 00:43:44,200 you can offer as a hors d'ouevre. 988 00:43:45,100 --> 00:43:47,367 I want them to open up in a nice broth. 989 00:43:48,367 --> 00:43:51,500 Getting fish sauce to add to my seafood stock. 990 00:43:52,066 --> 00:43:53,467 See if this top works. 991 00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:55,367 Oh, what do ya know? 992 00:43:56,500 --> 00:43:58,367 -I'm going to make a fish brittle. -[Tiffani] What?! 993 00:43:59,400 --> 00:44:01,600 -Like a glaze. Butter and sugar. -Butter and sugar. 994 00:44:02,300 --> 00:44:03,367 [Tobias] Make my caramel first. 995 00:44:04,300 --> 00:44:07,500 I want it to have a salty but sweet glaze. 996 00:44:09,667 --> 00:44:12,867 -[Marcel] Smell that fish sauce -- whoo! -Marcel, Talk me through it. 997 00:44:13,867 --> 00:44:15,700 -I'm thinking strawberry ice cream, Chef. -OK. 998 00:44:16,800 --> 00:44:18,166 You know, it's a big risk. You're dealing with time, 999 00:44:18,967 --> 00:44:20,100 temperature -- this kitchen is hot. 1000 00:44:21,333 --> 00:44:21,767 -[Tiffani] What all you got -- strawberries? -Strawberries. 1001 00:44:23,033 --> 00:44:23,233 -[Tiffani] Fresh strawberries in there? -Strawberries in there. 1002 00:44:24,367 --> 00:44:24,567 [Tiffani] Corn syrup, milk, cream? 1003 00:44:25,667 --> 00:44:26,667 -Sugar. -[Marcel] Dry milk powder. 1004 00:44:27,533 --> 00:44:29,200 And I blend my strawberries, but I want 1005 00:44:29,767 --> 00:44:30,767 more strawberry flavor. 1006 00:44:31,934 --> 00:44:34,300 So I actually threw in like half a jar of strawberry jam 1007 00:44:34,867 --> 00:44:35,500 into my ice cream base. 1008 00:44:36,367 --> 00:44:37,100 [Tiffani] Talk to me about fruitcake. 1009 00:44:38,200 --> 00:44:38,867 [Marcel] That's actually really good, that fruitcake. 1010 00:44:39,934 --> 00:44:41,000 I ended up throwing the fruitcake in the blender. 1011 00:44:41,500 --> 00:44:42,400 [blender whirling] 1012 00:44:43,133 --> 00:44:43,667 Chef, you wanna taste the base? 1013 00:44:44,900 --> 00:44:46,600 [Tobias] Sure. 1014 00:44:47,233 --> 00:44:47,800 It's a little fruitcake-y. 1015 00:44:48,700 --> 00:44:49,000 [Marcel] You taste the strawberry, right? 1016 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:50,300 [Tobias laughs softly] Yeah, I do. 1017 00:44:55,367 --> 00:44:57,166 [Justin] Chef, when you have a plan, lay it on me. 1018 00:44:57,667 --> 00:44:59,266 [Shirley speaking] 1019 00:45:11,266 --> 00:45:12,767 -[Justin] Got it. -[Shirley] Whoo! 1020 00:45:35,467 --> 00:45:36,800 -[Justin] Glazing now, Chef? -[Shirley] Yep. 1021 00:45:37,166 --> 00:45:37,967 Beautiful. 1022 00:45:39,100 --> 00:45:41,567 -That is a dense fruit cake. -It is. 1023 00:45:42,233 --> 00:45:43,700 -Yum. -[Shirley speaking] 1024 00:45:47,300 --> 00:45:48,967 [Guy] How are you putting this in with the clams? 1025 00:46:01,367 --> 00:46:03,767 When was the last time you had fruitcake, Chef? 1026 00:46:06,867 --> 00:46:08,667 -You like fruitcake? -Yeah. 1027 00:46:39,166 --> 00:46:40,667 -OK, good. -[Justin] Chef, I'm seeing 1028 00:46:41,433 --> 00:46:42,667 the sugar and corn syrup. Uh... 1029 00:46:43,533 --> 00:46:44,000 I'm seeing the dairy items on the side. 1030 00:46:44,734 --> 00:46:45,300 Are we gonna see a caramel here? 1031 00:46:45,867 --> 00:46:46,667 Yeah, caramel. Uh... 1032 00:46:47,667 --> 00:46:49,867 All going well, we'll have a Christmas morning 1033 00:46:50,834 --> 00:46:52,266 pain perdu, otherwise known as French toast. 1034 00:46:53,066 --> 00:46:53,700 I'm familiar, Chef. I'm liking it. 1035 00:46:54,500 --> 00:46:55,667 [Sherry] It'll be beautiful together. 1036 00:46:57,033 --> 00:47:00,066 As the butter is browning, I put up a pot with milk and heavy cream. 1037 00:47:00,633 --> 00:47:01,300 Box grater, box grater. 1038 00:47:02,400 --> 00:47:03,767 And I'm gonna grab all my ingredients that are gonna 1039 00:47:04,734 --> 00:47:07,000 add flavor -- orange, the lemon, and ginger. 1040 00:47:07,900 --> 00:47:08,667 What's the difference between pain perdu 1041 00:47:09,300 --> 00:47:10,266 and regular French toast? 1042 00:47:11,066 --> 00:47:11,700 What you charge on the menu, Chef. 1043 00:47:12,333 --> 00:47:13,066 -Thank you. -You got it. 1044 00:47:14,266 --> 00:47:15,667 So rumor has it there's some chefs out there that might be 1045 00:47:16,467 --> 00:47:18,166 a little intimidated that I'm here. 1046 00:47:18,800 --> 00:47:19,767 Look at me, little ol' me. 1047 00:47:20,800 --> 00:47:22,266 That said, I have been baking for so many years, 1048 00:47:23,500 --> 00:47:26,600 and I've done everything from ice cream to sugar sculptures. 1049 00:47:27,100 --> 00:47:28,767 Gorgeous. Happy. 1050 00:47:29,600 --> 00:47:30,867 A dessert in a short period of time? 1051 00:47:31,767 --> 00:47:32,367 I don't know. We'll have to see whether 1052 00:47:33,133 --> 00:47:33,667 or not I can pull that off too. 1053 00:47:35,867 --> 00:47:38,000 Less than 20 minutes to go -- what do they do with the fruitcake? 1054 00:47:38,934 --> 00:47:39,567 [Tobias] This is, like, the nastiest thing 1055 00:47:40,000 --> 00:47:41,667 ever in life. 1056 00:47:42,767 --> 00:47:44,667 I know clams casino, you finish it off with, most of 1057 00:47:46,066 --> 00:47:49,266 the time, breadcrumbs, but you can use the fruitcake and some garlic. 1058 00:47:50,000 --> 00:47:51,266 -Mm. Mm-hmm. -[Marcel] Mm-hmm? 1059 00:47:51,734 --> 00:47:52,667 -Mm-hmm. -Mm-hmm. 1060 00:47:53,166 --> 00:47:53,867 [Tiffani] Mm-hmm. 1061 00:47:55,033 --> 00:47:57,400 -Breadcrumbs and...fruitcake. -And fruitcake and garlic. 1062 00:47:58,300 --> 00:47:59,266 [Guy] Yeah, that old famous combination. 1063 00:48:00,133 --> 00:48:00,333 [Tiffani] Box-grated salad, Chef? 1064 00:48:01,266 --> 00:48:01,600 -[bell dings] -[Tobias] Mm-hmm. 1065 00:48:02,700 --> 00:48:03,567 [Tobias] I made a fennel and green onion little salad, 1066 00:48:04,633 --> 00:48:06,000 so when you're eating the clams and you're getting 1067 00:48:07,266 --> 00:48:09,567 the fish caramel, you can have fennel to clean off your palate. 1068 00:48:11,166 --> 00:48:12,200 [Tiffani] How's that lookin', Chef? 1069 00:48:12,667 --> 00:48:13,667 [Marcel] Great. 1070 00:48:14,667 --> 00:48:15,667 -Looks perfect. -[Tiffani] Yeah, it looks great. 1071 00:48:16,200 --> 00:48:16,967 Really nice texture. 1072 00:48:17,867 --> 00:48:18,700 You got that Sherry Yard on the other side. 1073 00:48:19,567 --> 00:48:21,567 -Yeah. -Sherry Yard is one of the best 1074 00:48:22,567 --> 00:48:24,900 pastry chefs in the country, if not the world. 1075 00:48:26,166 --> 00:48:27,700 And Shirley Chung, she's beaten me on "Tournament of Champions" 1076 00:48:28,400 --> 00:48:29,367 before, so I know she's good. 1077 00:48:30,500 --> 00:48:31,900 The strength of Shirley just to be back in competition. 1078 00:48:32,867 --> 00:48:34,000 I already know that it's gon' be a dogfight. 1079 00:48:35,033 --> 00:48:36,266 [Marcel] We got love for every single chef here. 1080 00:48:37,066 --> 00:48:37,567 You know what I mean? All of them. 1081 00:48:38,266 --> 00:48:39,467 -But... -I wanna get them home 1082 00:48:40,567 --> 00:48:41,166 to their families faster. -Yeah, to their families. 1083 00:48:42,233 --> 00:48:43,967 As soon as that clock starts, it's a competition. 1084 00:48:44,900 --> 00:48:46,166 -Ice cream's made, Chef. -I love that, baby. 1085 00:48:46,900 --> 00:48:48,367 Marcel grabbing liquid nitrogen? 1086 00:48:49,266 --> 00:48:50,800 Are you serious? What's the game plan, bud? 1087 00:48:51,867 --> 00:48:52,500 [Marcel] Um, you know, I'm gonna freeze some stuff 1088 00:48:53,200 --> 00:48:53,967 and make some delicious treats. 1089 00:48:54,767 --> 00:48:55,600 I gotta do some box grating, right? 1090 00:48:56,667 --> 00:48:58,100 So, we freeze the strawberries in liquid nitrogen. 1091 00:48:59,300 --> 00:49:02,667 I start grating, and it's like this, like, strawberry dust. 1092 00:49:04,233 --> 00:49:06,266 -So, pretty cool, and I was like, "That works." -[[Tobias] It was pretty cool. 1093 00:49:07,500 --> 00:49:08,066 [Marcel] That'll be a nice little garnish for on top, I think. 1094 00:49:08,700 --> 00:49:09,367 We're checking off boxes. 1095 00:49:10,500 --> 00:49:12,400 Right, I got strawberries. Now, we gotta do some glaze. 1096 00:49:13,100 --> 00:49:13,967 I'm trying to make this caramel, 1097 00:49:14,800 --> 00:49:17,066 get that super thick, really sticky. 1098 00:49:18,033 --> 00:49:18,266 [Tiffani] What's the plan with the caramel? 1099 00:49:19,700 --> 00:49:22,000 [Marcel] Getting it to a nice glaze-y consistency that I want. 1100 00:49:23,200 --> 00:49:25,967 For me, strawberries, caramel, it's a match made in heaven. 1101 00:49:26,700 --> 00:49:27,500 Did he just take the strawberries 1102 00:49:28,133 --> 00:49:28,500 into caramel and make...? 1103 00:49:29,100 --> 00:49:29,900 Sure did. Glazed them. 1104 00:49:31,033 --> 00:49:33,000 [Guy] Twelve and a half minutes, Twelve and a half to go. 1105 00:49:34,266 --> 00:49:36,467 Now the timer is coming down, I really need to steam my clams. 1106 00:49:37,600 --> 00:49:40,767 Deglaze the pan with sake, and then the fruitcakes are 1107 00:49:41,667 --> 00:49:43,166 coming out of the oven. -Yeah, that's it. 1108 00:49:43,734 --> 00:49:44,200 [Justin] Breadcrumbs? 1109 00:49:45,033 --> 00:49:47,166 Breadcrumbs, olive oil, salt, pepper, 1110 00:49:48,133 --> 00:49:49,967 fruitcake crumble in this. -[Justin] Got it. 1111 00:49:51,200 --> 00:49:52,867 [Shirley] This is the first time I'm combining these two items 1112 00:49:53,834 --> 00:49:56,367 together, but it might not be the last time. 1113 00:49:57,233 --> 00:49:58,400 Five minutes, teams. Five to be plated. 1114 00:49:58,800 --> 00:49:59,467 Five to go. 1115 00:50:00,333 --> 00:50:01,166 Strawberries, where are strawberries? 1116 00:50:02,033 --> 00:50:03,667 Come and play. I'm on strawberry sauce. 1117 00:50:04,367 --> 00:50:04,767 [Guy] They're being grated. 1118 00:50:05,567 --> 00:50:06,266 [Sherry] I use the box grater again. 1119 00:50:07,000 --> 00:50:08,767 They both use the grater so much. 1120 00:50:09,700 --> 00:50:10,500 [Sherry] And put that sauce on the burner 1121 00:50:11,066 --> 00:50:12,000 so it can reduce down. 1122 00:50:13,166 --> 00:50:15,266 Compression there and heavy cream. 1123 00:50:16,400 --> 00:50:19,100 When it came to glaze as a pastry chef, I was thrilled. 1124 00:50:20,166 --> 00:50:22,100 -Glazing. -[bell dings] 1125 00:50:22,934 --> 00:50:24,367 [Sherry] Glazing. How many minutes? 1126 00:50:25,166 --> 00:50:25,667 -[Shirley] Three. -[Sherry] Three? 1127 00:50:28,200 --> 00:50:30,000 [Shirley] Hot, right behind you. 1128 00:50:30,500 --> 00:50:32,166 [Shirley speaking] 1129 00:50:34,200 --> 00:50:35,300 [Sherry] Oh, goodness. 1130 00:50:37,367 --> 00:50:38,467 [Sherry] Yes. 1131 00:50:41,567 --> 00:50:42,767 [Sherry laughs] 1132 00:50:45,166 --> 00:50:48,600 I have my strawberries all around the outside rim. 1133 00:50:49,367 --> 00:50:50,567 Fruitcake caramel on the bottom. 1134 00:50:51,533 --> 00:50:53,300 Grab the pain perdu. Glaze the strawberries. 1135 00:50:54,000 --> 00:50:55,367 [soft Christmas music playing] 1136 00:50:56,367 --> 00:50:58,300 -It was a Christmas miracle. -[Sherry chuckles] 1137 00:50:58,734 --> 00:50:59,900 Ninety seconds! 1138 00:51:00,934 --> 00:51:01,867 [Tobias] I get some of the glaze on the bottom. 1139 00:51:02,834 --> 00:51:04,266 Last Christmas, you know, I wasn't walking. 1140 00:51:05,500 --> 00:51:08,000 So, being back in the kitchen, being amongst other phenomenal 1141 00:51:09,066 --> 00:51:10,467 chefs, I feel blessed to be where I am right now. 1142 00:51:10,900 --> 00:51:11,567 I'm just here to 1143 00:51:12,533 --> 00:51:14,000 celebrate the holidays with the good people. 1144 00:51:14,500 --> 00:51:15,100 [Guy] One minute. 1145 00:51:16,166 --> 00:51:17,667 [Marcel] Maybe two scoops, eh? 1146 00:51:18,767 --> 00:51:21,200 I take my pre-chilled glasses and do a couple scoops 1147 00:51:21,633 --> 00:51:22,567 of ice cream. 1148 00:51:23,800 --> 00:51:25,767 I've got my glazed strawberry, and then I'll play around with 1149 00:51:26,767 --> 00:51:28,800 all my other stuff that I wanna sprinkle on top. 1150 00:51:29,600 --> 00:51:33,567 [all] Five, four, three, two, one. 1151 00:51:34,266 --> 00:51:34,900 We're done, chefs, stop working. 1152 00:51:35,400 --> 00:51:37,000 [audience cheers] 1153 00:51:38,367 --> 00:51:39,867 [grunting] 1154 00:51:40,600 --> 00:51:42,767 Both teams performed incredibly. 1155 00:51:44,033 --> 00:51:45,700 Where you came up with that in your imagination, I don't know, 1156 00:51:46,200 --> 00:51:46,767 but job well done. 1157 00:51:47,266 --> 00:51:48,867 [audience cheers] 1158 00:51:49,834 --> 00:51:50,600 -[Sherry] I'll take that hug. -[Marcel] Ah. 1159 00:51:51,467 --> 00:51:52,767 All right, let's bring in the judges. 1160 00:51:54,100 --> 00:51:55,567 Wow, man. 1161 00:51:56,066 --> 00:51:56,900 I think we did OK. 1162 00:51:57,900 --> 00:51:59,266 I mean, for having never worked together before. 1163 00:52:00,200 --> 00:52:01,367 -That was like magic, baby. -Good job. 1164 00:52:02,467 --> 00:52:05,000 Your plate looked beautiful. Really beautiful, right? 1165 00:52:05,800 --> 00:52:07,066 -[Shirley laughs] -[Tobias groans] 1166 00:52:07,500 --> 00:52:08,166 [Tobias] Whoo. 1167 00:52:10,066 --> 00:52:11,166 [Shirley] Whoo. 1168 00:52:15,000 --> 00:52:16,567 All right, folks, let's welcome back our judges. 1169 00:52:17,433 --> 00:52:18,700 The one and only Chef Michelle Bernstein. 1170 00:52:19,667 --> 00:52:21,066 -Oh, Michelle Bernstein. -She's gonna be fair. 1171 00:52:21,867 --> 00:52:22,667 She's gonna be a really good judge. 1172 00:52:23,567 --> 00:52:25,667 -[Guy] Chef Ming Tsai. -Oh, my God, man. 1173 00:52:26,233 --> 00:52:26,667 [Guy] Chef Curtis Stone. 1174 00:52:27,266 --> 00:52:29,400 [Marcel] Wow. Curtis. 1175 00:52:30,200 --> 00:52:31,567 Wow. And they've got great palates. 1176 00:52:32,133 --> 00:52:32,867 -Yes. -Great judges. 1177 00:52:34,066 --> 00:52:35,867 Judges, for the second battle tonight, the randomizer gave 1178 00:52:36,900 --> 00:52:38,567 out the holiday gifts with littleneck clams for 1179 00:52:39,667 --> 00:52:42,266 the savory, strawberries for the sweet, box grater for 1180 00:52:43,033 --> 00:52:44,667 equipment, the style was glazed, 1181 00:52:45,533 --> 00:52:47,166 and who doesn't think about fruitcake? 1182 00:52:47,967 --> 00:52:49,567 I try never to eat fruitcake, ever. 1183 00:52:50,066 --> 00:52:51,166 [audience laughs] 1184 00:52:52,133 --> 00:52:53,567 They're like, "Great, clams and fruitcake." 1185 00:52:54,166 --> 00:52:55,767 Mmm. -[Marcel chuckles] 1186 00:52:56,900 --> 00:52:59,066 Judges, we'll begin with the savory portion of the dish. 1187 00:53:00,266 --> 00:53:03,467 First up, we have sake steamed clams with a soy glaze, 1188 00:53:04,567 --> 00:53:06,767 and then, of course, a fruitcake breadcrumbs on top. 1189 00:53:07,834 --> 00:53:09,867 For our sweet dish, we have Christmas pain perdu. 1190 00:53:10,934 --> 00:53:12,100 The strawberries were run through the box grater, 1191 00:53:13,033 --> 00:53:14,166 accompanying that, some toasted fruitcake. 1192 00:53:15,233 --> 00:53:16,900 You have the glazed strawberry at the top, and then 1193 00:53:18,100 --> 00:53:19,867 the pain perdu itself, which was gently torched with a little 1194 00:53:21,033 --> 00:53:23,000 sugar at the end of the cook. -I love littleneck clams. 1195 00:53:24,200 --> 00:53:27,000 The clams are nice and tender. The glaze is a great glaze. 1196 00:53:27,934 --> 00:53:29,667 It coats your spoon. It's incredibly thick. 1197 00:53:30,433 --> 00:53:31,700 Maybe just a little too intense. 1198 00:53:32,467 --> 00:53:33,100 It reduced a little bit too much. 1199 00:53:34,500 --> 00:53:36,500 I love the use, just like the Italians do, 1200 00:53:37,333 --> 00:53:39,066 the breadcrumbs on pastas, on clams. 1201 00:53:39,834 --> 00:53:40,767 Really smart use of the fruitcake. 1202 00:53:41,700 --> 00:53:43,867 -A really well-thought-out dish. -[both] Yay. 1203 00:53:44,967 --> 00:53:47,300 The clams are really nice, not too chewy, but the soy 1204 00:53:48,066 --> 00:53:49,266 glaze is definitely way too salty. 1205 00:53:50,433 --> 00:53:52,166 I feel like if they would've just stopped a little short, 1206 00:53:53,400 --> 00:53:55,567 maybe add a touch of fat in there to soften up the flavors. 1207 00:53:56,667 --> 00:53:58,467 I only got three clams. I'm a big guy. 1208 00:53:59,533 --> 00:54:00,867 You know, like, this is just a little snack for me. 1209 00:54:01,867 --> 00:54:03,266 Maybe a couple more clams would've been nice. 1210 00:54:04,367 --> 00:54:05,600 But if you didn't tell me they had to use fruitcake 1211 00:54:06,300 --> 00:54:06,967 in it, I'd still like the dish. 1212 00:54:07,900 --> 00:54:08,500 I'd be like, "That's actually really good, 1213 00:54:09,266 --> 00:54:10,767 and I like it." The pain perdu -- 1214 00:54:11,600 --> 00:54:12,300 the strawberries get to really sing. 1215 00:54:12,734 --> 00:54:13,367 They're bright. 1216 00:54:14,133 --> 00:54:14,467 There's a lot of butter in there. 1217 00:54:15,333 --> 00:54:15,767 There's a lot of richness and flavor, 1218 00:54:16,467 --> 00:54:17,300 the right amount of sweetness. 1219 00:54:18,500 --> 00:54:20,867 [Michelle] The crust that they have on that with the sugar, 1220 00:54:21,633 --> 00:54:22,867 they did a beautiful job with that. 1221 00:54:24,000 --> 00:54:25,000 I know that they were working on a glaze as well with 1222 00:54:26,200 --> 00:54:26,767 the strawberries, and I think they could've been a little 1223 00:54:27,400 --> 00:54:28,500 shinier, a little glazier. 1224 00:54:29,400 --> 00:54:30,667 However, I love that it's not too sweet. 1225 00:54:31,400 --> 00:54:32,800 And again, the fruitcake was fun. 1226 00:54:33,967 --> 00:54:35,767 It was fun to have the nuts and the dried fruit in there 1227 00:54:36,333 --> 00:54:37,300 to have more texture. 1228 00:54:38,333 --> 00:54:40,100 The fruitcake in both dishes was not a negative. 1229 00:54:41,033 --> 00:54:42,300 It actually helped the dish a little bit. 1230 00:54:43,033 --> 00:54:43,667 -[Shirley] Yeah! -[Sherry laughs] 1231 00:54:44,233 --> 00:54:45,066 [Shirley] That's good. 1232 00:54:46,133 --> 00:54:46,667 -[Sherry] That was good teamwork. -[Shirley] Yeah. 1233 00:54:47,700 --> 00:54:50,166 Two scorecards there, 50 points each, 25 points 1234 00:54:51,400 --> 00:54:54,266 available in taste, 20 points in the use of the randomizer, 1235 00:54:55,000 --> 00:54:56,400 and 5 points for presentation. 1236 00:54:57,500 --> 00:54:59,867 A little over-reduced with the soy, a little salty. 1237 00:55:00,934 --> 00:55:03,800 That makes me feel a little bit more confident. 1238 00:55:04,800 --> 00:55:07,567 Judges, we'll begin with clams Christmas casino. 1239 00:55:08,767 --> 00:55:10,667 The littleneck clams were popped open in a seafood stock, 1240 00:55:11,633 --> 00:55:13,667 then stuffed with a chorizo and butter glaze 1241 00:55:14,667 --> 00:55:17,100 and a fruitcake breadcrumb and garlic stuffing. 1242 00:55:18,266 --> 00:55:21,100 It was then finished with a box-grated salad of fennel, 1243 00:55:21,734 --> 00:55:23,567 scallion, and lemon zest. 1244 00:55:24,567 --> 00:55:25,700 Not to be outdone by clams, we have strawberry 1245 00:55:26,233 --> 00:55:27,000 fruitcake ice cream. 1246 00:55:28,000 --> 00:55:28,900 The strawberries on the side, they were glazed 1247 00:55:29,567 --> 00:55:30,700 with a creamy caramel glaze. 1248 00:55:31,767 --> 00:55:33,166 In addition to that, we had strawberries that were 1249 00:55:34,300 --> 00:55:36,700 treated to liquid nitrogen and then grated on the top. 1250 00:55:37,500 --> 00:55:39,367 A little gift of Christmas sprinkles. 1251 00:55:40,100 --> 00:55:40,467 All right, ice cream's melting. 1252 00:55:41,400 --> 00:55:42,066 Let's go. Let's get the show on the road. 1253 00:55:42,967 --> 00:55:44,200 Pork and clams, I think, is one of the best 1254 00:55:45,266 --> 00:55:46,300 combinations, better than peanut butter and jelly 1255 00:55:46,967 --> 00:55:47,967 or peanut butter and bacon. 1256 00:55:49,000 --> 00:55:50,367 Fennel, so necessary, cuts through all the fat, 1257 00:55:51,166 --> 00:55:52,300 gives that a little anise quality. 1258 00:55:53,433 --> 00:55:53,967 [Curtis] If you read this on a menu, you'd just get up 1259 00:55:54,967 --> 00:55:55,367 and walk out of the restaurant, 'cause you'd be 1260 00:55:56,233 --> 00:55:57,400 like, "Fruitcake, clams, and chorizo? 1261 00:55:58,033 --> 00:55:59,300 No, thank you." It works. 1262 00:55:59,967 --> 00:56:01,066 It's really, really clever. 1263 00:56:02,033 --> 00:56:04,166 This chef, or chefs, have got real refinement 1264 00:56:04,734 --> 00:56:05,600 to what they've done. 1265 00:56:06,667 --> 00:56:07,767 [sharp exhale] 1266 00:56:08,800 --> 00:56:09,567 The glaze is really nice, because it's a really 1267 00:56:10,533 --> 00:56:12,166 good balance -- it has the flavor of the clam. 1268 00:56:13,367 --> 00:56:14,667 Then it also has a delicate sweetness to it, which is not 1269 00:56:15,600 --> 00:56:18,467 obnoxious, but the dessert is really sweet, 1270 00:56:20,266 --> 00:56:22,600 but I love the frozen strawberry because it cuts 1271 00:56:23,333 --> 00:56:23,900 through a bit of the sweetness. 1272 00:56:24,934 --> 00:56:26,066 I do agree with Michelle, the dessert is sweet, 1273 00:56:27,066 --> 00:56:29,266 but it's dessert, and it's a really well-made, 1274 00:56:30,033 --> 00:56:33,066 35 minutes, a strawberry ice cream. 1275 00:56:33,767 --> 00:56:35,000 I mean, hats off to this chef. 1276 00:56:35,367 --> 00:56:36,300 -Ah. -Mm. 1277 00:56:37,300 --> 00:56:38,400 That frozen strawberry gives you a really nice, 1278 00:56:38,934 --> 00:56:39,767 interesting balance. 1279 00:56:41,000 --> 00:56:42,200 Of course, it's not as sweet as the ice cream, so some more of 1280 00:56:42,767 --> 00:56:43,367 that might've been nice. 1281 00:56:44,233 --> 00:56:46,567 But the triumph here is this clam dish. 1282 00:56:47,066 --> 00:56:48,500 This is wonderful. 1283 00:56:49,400 --> 00:56:50,200 Look how hard these chefs are competing, 1284 00:56:51,200 --> 00:56:52,900 and they're competing as teams. -I'm having fun. 1285 00:56:53,600 --> 00:56:54,367 [Michelle and audience laugh] 1286 00:56:55,100 --> 00:56:56,567 Two dishes score 50 points each. 1287 00:56:57,767 --> 00:57:01,367 I think if we get this first W, we'll turn it into an M for 1288 00:57:02,133 --> 00:57:03,400 some momentum, baby. -I'm all in. 1289 00:57:04,033 --> 00:57:04,667 Like, I heard everything. 1290 00:57:05,900 --> 00:57:07,166 It's just a different thought process in my mind right now, 1291 00:57:07,900 --> 00:57:08,700 just being able to just be here. 1292 00:57:09,400 --> 00:57:09,967 -Huh. -Thanks for having me 1293 00:57:10,767 --> 00:57:12,500 on your team, Chef. -Come on, man. 1294 00:57:12,800 --> 00:57:13,667 Whoo. 1295 00:57:14,700 --> 00:57:16,700 -Anybody's game? -Anybody's game. 1296 00:57:17,200 --> 00:57:18,266 [Sherry chuckles] 1297 00:57:19,166 --> 00:57:20,300 Ladies and gentlemen, I have the scores. 1298 00:57:21,000 --> 00:57:22,700 Let's bring the teams back in. 1299 00:57:23,867 --> 00:57:27,967 Chef Tobias, Chef Marcel, Chef Shirley, and Chef Sherry. 1300 00:57:29,467 --> 00:57:32,166 Well done. What a challenge. 1301 00:57:33,200 --> 00:57:34,467 And here are the scores. 1302 00:57:35,433 --> 00:57:37,266 In the savory category, for one dish -- 39. 1303 00:57:37,834 --> 00:57:38,600 The other dish -- 45. 1304 00:57:39,834 --> 00:57:45,266 In the sweet dish category, the judges scored it 40 for one 1305 00:57:46,000 --> 00:57:48,667 dish, and 40 for the second dish. 1306 00:57:49,667 --> 00:57:53,367 -[audience] Oh. -[Guy] For a total of 79 to 85. 1307 00:57:54,500 --> 00:57:56,367 The winner of the "All-Star Christmas" battle between 1308 00:57:57,500 --> 00:58:00,066 Team Shirley and Sherry and Team Tobias and Marcel is... 1309 00:58:00,567 --> 00:58:02,100 [tense music ends] 1310 00:58:04,100 --> 00:58:05,700 [Guy] The winner of the "All-Star Christmas" battle is... 1311 00:58:06,266 --> 00:58:07,867 [tense music playing] 1312 00:58:11,200 --> 00:58:13,367 -Tobias and Marcel! -[audience cheers] 1313 00:58:15,266 --> 00:58:16,367 [Guy] Congratulations. 1314 00:58:19,166 --> 00:58:20,266 Well done. 1315 00:58:21,200 --> 00:58:22,367 Well done, well done. 1316 00:58:23,533 --> 00:58:26,266 Chef Shirley, Chef Sherry, you both worked with purpose. 1317 00:58:27,266 --> 00:58:29,166 Both such warriors, cancer survivors, out here 1318 00:58:30,133 --> 00:58:31,500 battling tonight. It's been a real pleasure. 1319 00:58:33,200 --> 00:58:34,700 -Ladies, thank you very much. Chef Sherry, Chef Shirley. -Thank you. Thank you so much. 1320 00:58:35,633 --> 00:58:36,800 -Thank you. -[audience continues cheering] 1321 00:58:37,333 --> 00:58:37,967 [man] Chef Shirley! 1322 00:58:39,000 --> 00:58:40,767 -It's fine. -OK. 1323 00:58:49,467 --> 00:58:51,567 -Yeah, we just made another memory, right? -Yeah. 1324 00:58:52,567 --> 00:58:53,100 We didn't know if we were ever gonna see you in 1325 00:58:54,200 --> 00:58:56,367 the kitchen again, or a competition, or even see ya. 1326 00:58:56,667 --> 00:58:57,667 Yeah. 1327 00:58:58,700 --> 00:58:59,266 The biggest thing from my accident, it taught me 1328 00:58:59,934 --> 00:59:02,400 that -- Live in your moment. 1329 00:59:03,433 --> 00:59:04,867 Like, enjoy every moment, 'cause you never know 1330 00:59:05,400 --> 00:59:06,867 when it's your last. 1331 00:59:08,000 --> 00:59:09,400 -But you just won, my friend. -Yeah, yeah [chuckles]. 1332 00:59:10,367 --> 00:59:12,467 Congratulations! You just won the first round! 1333 00:59:12,900 --> 00:59:14,567 [all cheering] 1334 00:59:15,900 --> 00:59:17,800 -[Guy] There we go! -[Tobias] Let's go! 1335 00:59:18,433 --> 00:59:19,266 [Marcel] Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! 1336 00:59:20,800 --> 00:59:22,567 Come on now. What's up, brother? 1337 00:59:23,633 --> 00:59:24,066 -Hey, Chef, how are you? -[Hunter] Congratulations. 1338 00:59:24,900 --> 00:59:25,600 The comeback king over here, brother. 1339 00:59:26,367 --> 00:59:27,700 The comeback king, baby. I love it. 1340 00:59:28,734 --> 00:59:29,367 That's the dream work. You guys are in round two. 1341 00:59:30,066 --> 00:59:30,967 -Yes. -Ladies and gentlemen, 1342 00:59:32,033 --> 00:59:34,200 did we deliver two fantastic rounds of competition? 1343 00:59:36,567 --> 00:59:39,000 And the main event will deliver. 1344 00:59:39,667 --> 00:59:41,266 Let's meet our All-Star duo. 1345 00:59:42,333 --> 00:59:44,667 From our A division, we have the number one-seeded 1346 00:59:45,700 --> 00:59:49,467 team, the powerhouse duo of TOC reigning champ, 1347 00:59:50,166 --> 00:59:52,266 the one and only Antonia Lofaso. 1348 00:59:53,100 --> 00:59:55,467 -And Alex Guarnaschelli. -Hi, Antonia. 1349 00:59:55,834 --> 00:59:56,567 Chef Alex. 1350 00:59:57,300 --> 00:59:58,100 -Are we ready? -Are you ready? 1351 00:59:59,166 --> 01:00:01,100 They'll be up against restaurateur Crista Luedtke 1352 01:00:01,967 --> 01:00:03,767 and Food Network star Aarti Sequeira. 1353 01:00:04,333 --> 01:00:05,767 Can you believe this? 1354 01:00:06,734 --> 01:00:08,166 Both of them have won "Guy's Grocery Games," 1355 01:00:09,200 --> 01:00:11,667 but Crista has yet to get a win in the TOC arena. 1356 01:00:12,433 --> 01:00:14,967 Oh, my gosh! Look at the tinsel. 1357 01:00:16,100 --> 01:00:18,767 And Aarti, well, she's a TOC first-timer, which is why 1358 01:00:19,433 --> 01:00:20,300 they are seeded number four. 1359 01:00:21,133 --> 01:00:22,767 The team that everyone feared, right? 1360 01:00:23,400 --> 01:00:24,066 And we get 'em, round one. 1361 01:00:25,200 --> 01:00:25,700 I mean, you gotta get through them anyway, so we might 1362 01:00:26,734 --> 01:00:27,667 as well get it over with. Rip off the band-aid. 1363 01:00:28,767 --> 01:00:30,200 Imagine how everyone's gonna feel when we beat them. 1364 01:00:31,066 --> 01:00:31,700 -[Crista] Right. -Then they'll be scared. 1365 01:00:32,800 --> 01:00:33,667 Anybody can talk about food, and that is like, it is 1366 01:00:34,200 --> 01:00:34,900 the great connector. 1367 01:00:36,100 --> 01:00:37,867 But I think when I realized that Crista valued her faith, 1368 01:00:38,967 --> 01:00:39,867 and that's something that is really important to me. 1369 01:00:41,033 --> 01:00:44,767 You and I are connected on this very deep, sacred level. 1370 01:00:45,500 --> 01:00:45,900 I've just always felt connected. 1371 01:00:47,000 --> 01:00:48,800 You bring huge, big, bold flavors, which is amazing. 1372 01:00:49,867 --> 01:00:51,266 And I think together, our combination of me being 1373 01:00:52,100 --> 01:00:53,000 able to multitask. It's a dream team. 1374 01:00:54,066 --> 01:00:55,166 Your great strength is that you've won this entire 1375 01:00:56,066 --> 01:00:58,467 competition, and you're an amazing cook. 1376 01:00:59,133 --> 01:01:00,567 I appreciate that sentiment. 1377 01:01:01,433 --> 01:01:04,500 I am still a ball of Christmas nerves. 1378 01:01:05,500 --> 01:01:06,700 You and I met on "Chopped" a hundred years ago. 1379 01:01:07,333 --> 01:01:08,367 You were my judge, right? 1380 01:01:09,400 --> 01:01:11,467 And it went from you being my judge to my mentor, 1381 01:01:11,900 --> 01:01:12,600 to my friend. 1382 01:01:13,567 --> 01:01:14,467 We've actually never cooked together before. 1383 01:01:15,600 --> 01:01:16,800 So this is like a, this is like a first and I'm excited 1384 01:01:17,333 --> 01:01:18,166 about it. -Me too. 1385 01:01:18,834 --> 01:01:20,467 -All right. -Let's do it. 1386 01:01:21,800 --> 01:01:23,567 -[Aarti] Oh! -[Crista] Let's do it. 1387 01:01:24,166 --> 01:01:25,300 -Huh. -[Crista laughs] 1388 01:01:26,400 --> 01:01:27,867 Are you ready for the final culinary snowball fight 1389 01:01:28,300 --> 01:01:29,000 of the night? 1390 01:01:30,567 --> 01:01:32,100 So let's light this up. 1391 01:01:33,767 --> 01:01:37,100 Chef Crista Luedtke is a celebrated wine country chef 1392 01:01:38,266 --> 01:01:41,266 who has won the Michelin Bib Gourmand two years in a row. 1393 01:01:41,800 --> 01:01:43,100 [rock music playing] 1394 01:01:44,266 --> 01:01:45,767 [Guy] She's an eight-time "Triple G" winner, but has yet 1395 01:01:46,600 --> 01:01:48,300 to score a victory in the TOC arena. 1396 01:01:49,867 --> 01:01:51,900 ♪♪ 1397 01:01:53,233 --> 01:01:55,467 [Guy] Chef Aarti Sequeira is a super popular Food Network judge, 1398 01:01:56,633 --> 01:01:59,767 known for her expertise in both sweet and savory cooking. 1399 01:02:00,767 --> 01:02:03,066 She's won "Chopped: All Stars" and season 6 1400 01:02:03,734 --> 01:02:05,266 of the "Food Network Star." 1401 01:02:06,767 --> 01:02:09,767 Give it up for the contender and the Spice Queen, 1402 01:02:10,333 --> 01:02:12,367 team Crista and Aarti! 1403 01:02:13,000 --> 01:02:14,867 -[audience cheers] -Whoo! 1404 01:02:15,233 --> 01:02:15,967 Let's go! 1405 01:02:16,667 --> 01:02:17,000 [bright Christmas music playing] 1406 01:02:17,266 --> 01:02:18,300 Ow! 1407 01:02:20,400 --> 01:02:22,000 -Whoo! -What? 1408 01:02:22,700 --> 01:02:23,467 General, awesome to have you. 1409 01:02:24,700 --> 01:02:26,800 Now you have gained superpower forces with the one and only, 1410 01:02:27,567 --> 01:02:28,500 -Yes. -the Spice Queen herself. 1411 01:02:29,200 --> 01:02:29,767 [Crista] I'm ready to crush it. 1412 01:02:30,967 --> 01:02:33,467 I have to say "Good luck to you" because your opponents... 1413 01:02:34,033 --> 01:02:34,600 [dramatic chord plays] 1414 01:02:36,266 --> 01:02:38,867 [Guy] After a 10-year stint at Wolfgang Puck's Spago, 1415 01:02:40,567 --> 01:02:43,567 Chef Antonia Lofaso started her own SoCal restaurant 1416 01:02:44,667 --> 01:02:47,467 empire, which include the Michelin-recommended DAMA, 1417 01:02:47,900 --> 01:02:48,867 one of my faves. 1418 01:02:50,000 --> 01:02:53,667 And earlier this year, she beat out 31 acclaimed chefs 1419 01:02:54,500 --> 01:02:58,000 to become the TOC reigning champion! 1420 01:02:58,533 --> 01:03:00,100 [rock music playing] 1421 01:03:00,500 --> 01:03:01,567 [Guy] ICAG, 1422 01:03:04,200 --> 01:03:07,600 also known as Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, 1423 01:03:08,700 --> 01:03:10,700 an acclaimed author and a legendary "Chopped" judge. 1424 01:03:12,600 --> 01:03:15,266 She has defeated some of the best chefs in the country 1425 01:03:16,333 --> 01:03:20,000 as an Iron Chef and the star of "Alex vs. America." 1426 01:03:21,100 --> 01:03:24,667 Please give it up for the Princess Warrior and ICAG, 1427 01:03:25,233 --> 01:03:27,266 Team Antonia and Alex! 1428 01:03:27,800 --> 01:03:29,367 [audience cheering] 1429 01:03:36,266 --> 01:03:37,700 Congratulations, champ, and welcome back. 1430 01:03:38,533 --> 01:03:38,734 [Antonia] Thank you. Thank you, Chef. 1431 01:03:39,734 --> 01:03:40,367 OK? Nice to see you here competing. 1432 01:03:41,400 --> 01:03:42,767 We're super uptight, and I'm gonna make desserts. 1433 01:03:43,367 --> 01:03:44,467 -Yeah. -[Aarti cackles] 1434 01:03:45,333 --> 01:03:46,166 -[Guy] Teams, are you ready? -Oh, yeah. 1435 01:03:47,133 --> 01:03:48,000 Let's take it to the randomizer right this way. 1436 01:03:48,633 --> 01:03:50,166 -Oh! -[Crista] Whoo-hoo! 1437 01:03:53,100 --> 01:03:56,266 Without further ado, in the big finale tonight, 1438 01:03:57,000 --> 01:03:58,266 here we go. -[audience cheers] 1439 01:03:59,033 --> 01:03:59,867 [Crista] Come on, come on, come on. 1440 01:04:02,000 --> 01:04:03,367 Here we go, here we go, here we go. 1441 01:04:05,100 --> 01:04:07,367 -[Aarti] No, no. -[Guy] Chicken, thigh, 1442 01:04:07,767 --> 01:04:08,467 pork. -No. 1443 01:04:09,000 --> 01:04:09,800 -Chicken. -No, no. 1444 01:04:10,333 --> 01:04:11,500 -Whole chicken. -No. 1445 01:04:12,200 --> 01:04:14,967 [Guy] Navel oranges, toaster, 1446 01:04:15,533 --> 01:04:17,500 peppery, and chestnuts. 1447 01:04:18,567 --> 01:04:19,600 -[Aarti sighs] -[Crista] I think I don't like it. 1448 01:04:20,734 --> 01:04:22,200 [Guy] 35 minutes on the clock to make this savory dish 1449 01:04:22,734 --> 01:04:23,667 and this sweet dish. 1450 01:04:24,700 --> 01:04:25,800 I'm now gonna give you two minutes before I start 1451 01:04:26,834 --> 01:04:28,967 the clock and let you confer together as a team, 1452 01:04:29,800 --> 01:04:30,967 and your clock starts now. Good luck. 1453 01:04:31,500 --> 01:04:32,166 What are you doing? 1454 01:04:33,333 --> 01:04:35,500 All right, so I'm gonna do fried chicken, mashed potato. 1455 01:04:36,600 --> 01:04:37,667 Our whole plan has just been like, "You do desserts, 1456 01:04:38,533 --> 01:04:39,200 and I do savory." -And I'm gonna make 1457 01:04:39,834 --> 01:04:40,767 an orange ice cream. -OK. 1458 01:04:41,834 --> 01:04:43,000 I'm thinking I'm gonna do little mini Bundt cakes. 1459 01:04:43,533 --> 01:04:44,166 OK, so you do sweet. 1460 01:04:45,300 --> 01:04:45,767 Orange zest, and yes, I'm gonna go sweet all the way. 1461 01:04:46,667 --> 01:04:47,066 -If you're good with that? -Yeah, great. 1462 01:04:48,133 --> 01:04:49,667 I mean, I haven't had a TOC win yet in this arena, 1463 01:04:50,533 --> 01:04:51,500 but it's gonna be a Christmas miracle. 1464 01:04:52,333 --> 01:04:53,667 We are bringing home the win. Right? 1465 01:04:54,400 --> 01:04:56,367 -I love it. -Three, two, one. 1466 01:04:57,133 --> 01:04:58,500 -[Antonia] Go? -[audience cheers] 1467 01:05:01,100 --> 01:05:03,300 This underdog team of Crista and Aarti can 1468 01:05:04,300 --> 01:05:06,166 pull this out, but these two seasoned warriors, 1469 01:05:07,200 --> 01:05:10,000 ICAG and Antonia, I mean, they have got so many 1470 01:05:10,700 --> 01:05:11,367 competitions under their belt. 1471 01:05:12,033 --> 01:05:13,100 This is gonna be a tough one. 1472 01:05:13,767 --> 01:05:14,300 Tough one for the underdogs. 1473 01:05:17,667 --> 01:05:19,166 One of the things I think about holidays 1474 01:05:20,133 --> 01:05:21,667 that we often forget, is there's a spiritual 1475 01:05:22,734 --> 01:05:24,033 component about it, and both of us have a very deep 1476 01:05:25,033 --> 01:05:27,433 spiritual connection. -I have admired Crista. 1477 01:05:28,633 --> 01:05:30,867 -Don't tell her, though, right? -[whispers] I'm right here. 1478 01:05:31,900 --> 01:05:33,233 [Aarti] But Crista has a real heart for service. 1479 01:05:34,166 --> 01:05:35,233 We've done a ton of fundraisers together. 1480 01:05:36,333 --> 01:05:37,734 Crista will do the jobs that nobody else wants to do, 1481 01:05:38,934 --> 01:05:40,867 and she will do them without applause, without recognition. 1482 01:05:41,900 --> 01:05:43,133 She will do it just because it needs to be done. 1483 01:05:44,333 --> 01:05:47,033 -I am truly honored to be Crista's wingman today. -Same. 1484 01:05:48,000 --> 01:05:49,667 -You're the best. -You got a good game plan? 1485 01:05:50,867 --> 01:05:53,667 I'm doing a schnitzel with, like, a peppercorn milk gravy 1486 01:05:54,734 --> 01:05:57,567 with cardamom, and I'm doing a sweet potato puree. 1487 01:05:58,800 --> 01:06:00,066 Chestnuts are going in this puree, and I'll actually try to 1488 01:06:01,033 --> 01:06:02,367 put some in the dredge as well. -[Guy] Got it. 1489 01:06:03,300 --> 01:06:04,667 It's very quiet in the house for Christmas. 1490 01:06:05,500 --> 01:06:07,367 -Not even a mouse. -Not even a mouse. 1491 01:06:07,667 --> 01:06:08,433 Whoa. 1492 01:06:09,467 --> 01:06:10,734 It's about to smell like burnt Christmas in here. 1493 01:06:11,367 --> 01:06:11,767 Are we toasting rosemary? 1494 01:06:12,600 --> 01:06:13,367 [Crista] We are toasting some rosemary. 1495 01:06:14,200 --> 01:06:14,633 -What's the plan? -[Crista] Vanilla. 1496 01:06:14,934 --> 01:06:15,567 Cake. 1497 01:06:16,367 --> 01:06:17,367 I can put orange zest in the cake. 1498 01:06:18,333 --> 01:06:20,266 I can and put my chestnuts in the cake, like. 1499 01:06:21,300 --> 01:06:22,667 So cake, to me, is, like, instantly where I go. 1500 01:06:23,767 --> 01:06:25,367 Little beautiful Bundt cakes, they look like leaves, 1501 01:06:26,166 --> 01:06:27,367 and now I just have to execute it. 1502 01:06:28,400 --> 01:06:31,133 Pastry is something that I tend to shy away from. 1503 01:06:31,834 --> 01:06:32,967 I don't wanna measure things. 1504 01:06:34,100 --> 01:06:36,667 -But I've been honing and practicing. -Yeah, you have. 1505 01:06:37,867 --> 01:06:38,633 -And you've been getting my photos of my late-night -I have. 1506 01:06:39,467 --> 01:06:41,233 baked treats -- my wife is very happy. 1507 01:06:42,367 --> 01:06:43,567 She's like, "Please promise that you will keep baking 1508 01:06:44,333 --> 01:06:45,066 -Yes. -after this competition." 1509 01:06:45,500 --> 01:06:46,100 [Aarti laughs] 1510 01:06:46,900 --> 01:06:48,467 -Watch out, everybody. -Is this...? 1511 01:06:49,500 --> 01:06:50,333 Where's the rest of the...? Oh, did you buzz it? 1512 01:06:51,266 --> 01:06:52,233 -Yes, it's in your thing. -Oh, you are... 1513 01:06:52,834 --> 01:06:53,333 I got you. I love you. 1514 01:06:53,900 --> 01:06:54,266 [Aarti] Oh, I love you. 1515 01:06:55,200 --> 01:06:56,433 And that's what the holidays are all about. 1516 01:06:57,000 --> 01:06:57,767 Did you prep chestnuts? 1517 01:06:58,567 --> 01:06:59,266 [Crista] Uh, they're in your dredge. 1518 01:07:00,166 --> 01:07:01,567 [Tiffani] Station symbiosis, A-plus. 1519 01:07:02,734 --> 01:07:05,367 Chestnuts ground on Crista's station, using that in both 1520 01:07:06,567 --> 01:07:07,667 her cake batter and then also handed it right to Aarti for 1521 01:07:08,667 --> 01:07:09,266 the batter for schnitzel. -[Guy] Cake batter? 1522 01:07:09,834 --> 01:07:10,934 Yes, little Bundt cakes. 1523 01:07:12,066 --> 01:07:13,567 'Cause nothing says "Christmas" like little Bundt cakes. 1524 01:07:14,100 --> 01:07:14,767 -Wow. -Cake, cake. 1525 01:07:15,266 --> 01:07:15,834 First-time TOCer. 1526 01:07:16,800 --> 01:07:17,967 -Yes. -Talk about bragging rights, though, 1527 01:07:18,734 --> 01:07:20,533 if we took down Antonia and Alex. 1528 01:07:20,934 --> 01:07:21,567 Oh, my gosh. 1529 01:07:22,500 --> 01:07:24,567 All right, teams, we have 25 minutes left 1530 01:07:25,100 --> 01:07:25,633 in the competition. 1531 01:07:26,533 --> 01:07:28,266 [Antonia] Crista is an incredible chef. 1532 01:07:29,200 --> 01:07:30,967 It's the holidays, and this dish, I think, 1533 01:07:31,900 --> 01:07:33,266 could go from the deepest parts of her soul. 1534 01:07:33,900 --> 01:07:34,867 I don't count anyone out. 1535 01:07:35,967 --> 01:07:36,633 [Alex] I think they're both great cooks, and I think 1536 01:07:37,867 --> 01:07:39,100 they came in here a little bit more uninhibited, a little bit 1537 01:07:39,900 --> 01:07:40,934 more free, and driven to beat us. 1538 01:07:41,767 --> 01:07:42,367 [Antonia] Justin, long time no see. 1539 01:07:43,500 --> 01:07:44,433 -[Justin] Indeed. -[Antonia] I'm doing fried chicken. 1540 01:07:46,367 --> 01:07:48,233 Breaking down chicken, I mean, do I wanna do it? 1541 01:07:48,967 --> 01:07:49,467 No, but I do it pretty quickly. 1542 01:07:50,600 --> 01:07:52,100 Like, I had two chickens broken down in, like, less than 1543 01:07:52,734 --> 01:07:54,266 two minutes. Maybe three. 1544 01:07:55,266 --> 01:07:56,567 Like, four, but all right, it was two minutes. 1545 01:07:57,533 --> 01:07:58,066 What's the preparation on the chicken, Chef? 1546 01:07:58,367 --> 01:07:59,166 Fried. 1547 01:08:00,233 --> 01:08:01,867 Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, chestnut gravy. 1548 01:08:02,600 --> 01:08:03,767 -And chestnut gravy? -Yes, sir. 1549 01:08:04,700 --> 01:08:05,266 -Like that. -[Justin] She took some extra 1550 01:08:06,133 --> 01:08:07,133 parts there and is rendering them out. 1551 01:08:08,066 --> 01:08:08,633 [Guy] So she's making a stock over there? 1552 01:08:09,533 --> 01:08:11,066 -[Justin] Yeah. -[Guy] Cornstarch and AP? 1553 01:08:11,934 --> 01:08:12,767 -[Antonia] Cornstarch and AP. -Got it. 1554 01:08:13,633 --> 01:08:14,233 -What was the yellow color? -Mustard. 1555 01:08:15,033 --> 01:08:16,567 I could smell that mustard cooking. 1556 01:08:17,467 --> 01:08:17,967 -That's crazy. -I'm gonna make a dessert 1557 01:08:19,100 --> 01:08:20,367 that has oranges and chestnuts in it and nothing else. 1558 01:08:21,333 --> 01:08:23,233 I'm gonna make an orange ice cream sandwich. 1559 01:08:23,767 --> 01:08:24,266 [Justin] Thank you. 1560 01:08:25,200 --> 01:08:25,767 [Alex] I started making the ice cream base, 1561 01:08:26,567 --> 01:08:27,367 basically a neutral vanilla base, 1562 01:08:28,166 --> 01:08:29,166 and I added a ton of orange zest. 1563 01:08:30,400 --> 01:08:31,367 And I threw that into the ice cream machine, and I thought, 1564 01:08:32,000 --> 01:08:32,533 "I'm feeling pretty good." 1565 01:08:33,600 --> 01:08:35,667 I roast my chestnuts, I boiled them to soften them, 1566 01:08:36,834 --> 01:08:39,367 and then added amaretto and cooked that down with cream. 1567 01:08:39,900 --> 01:08:40,533 Can you taste this? 1568 01:08:42,000 --> 01:08:44,934 -It's chestnut caramel. -It's delicious. 1569 01:08:45,800 --> 01:08:46,467 Those chestnuts were perfect for puree. 1570 01:08:48,967 --> 01:08:51,667 Chestnuts work so good in dairy. 1571 01:08:52,734 --> 01:08:54,467 Boiling them in cream, softening them, and for me, 1572 01:08:55,433 --> 01:08:57,000 I was like, "Gravy." This dish, the chestnuts 1573 01:08:57,633 --> 01:08:58,533 actually drove the train. 1574 01:09:00,133 --> 01:09:01,266 [bell dings] 1575 01:09:02,367 --> 01:09:03,967 I look at the toaster and I think that I'm gonna do 1576 01:09:05,000 --> 01:09:06,000 the most obvious thing on the planet on purpose, 1577 01:09:06,567 --> 01:09:07,266 and that is make toast. 1578 01:09:08,333 --> 01:09:09,367 I thought, "You know, I need to add some sweetness." 1579 01:09:10,533 --> 01:09:12,166 -Chef, you toasted the oranges. -[Alex] I did not, Justin. 1580 01:09:12,734 --> 01:09:13,333 See what I did there? 1581 01:09:14,433 --> 01:09:14,867 I just toasted the bread and then rolled it in caramel. 1582 01:09:15,367 --> 01:09:15,867 Do you like that? 1583 01:09:16,867 --> 01:09:17,100 [Justin] Oh, wow, I thought they were oranges. 1584 01:09:17,867 --> 01:09:18,133 [Alex] No, that's toast. 1585 01:09:18,867 --> 01:09:19,166 [Justin] A little trompe l'oeil. 1586 01:09:20,100 --> 01:09:20,967 [Alex] It just looks, to me, like holiday, 1587 01:09:21,633 --> 01:09:22,633 like caramel, like a candy. 1588 01:09:23,433 --> 01:09:23,667 Do you have salt over there, Alex? 1589 01:09:24,433 --> 01:09:24,934 [Alex] Take it. Here. 1590 01:09:26,100 --> 01:09:28,533 Round one, keep it simple, four things, tops, and be done 1591 01:09:29,033 --> 01:09:29,867 with it. -I agree. 1592 01:09:30,367 --> 01:09:31,934 -Antonia? -Yes? 1593 01:09:32,500 --> 01:09:33,166 -How are we? -Great. 1594 01:09:37,333 --> 01:09:38,367 All right, teams, we have 20 minutes left, 1595 01:09:39,367 --> 01:09:41,133 20 left in the competition. -[audience cheers] 1596 01:09:41,633 --> 01:09:43,433 Yeah! Thank you! 1597 01:09:44,467 --> 01:09:46,934 Merry Christmas, you filthy animals! 1598 01:09:48,567 --> 01:09:50,734 Pepper, the king of spices. 1599 01:09:51,567 --> 01:09:53,033 And cardamom is the queen of spices. 1600 01:09:55,000 --> 01:09:56,467 I'm thinking of this dish as almost like 1601 01:09:57,066 --> 01:09:57,767 the day after Christmas. 1602 01:09:58,867 --> 01:09:59,734 Like, you've done all of your cooking for Christmas Day 1603 01:10:00,700 --> 01:10:01,967 and Christmas morning, and you need a break, 1604 01:10:02,633 --> 01:10:03,333 and you deserve one, sister. 1605 01:10:04,500 --> 01:10:06,100 So you go get yourself some fried chicken and some gravy 1606 01:10:07,066 --> 01:10:08,233 and some mashed potatoes. -And a Bundt cake. 1607 01:10:10,567 --> 01:10:12,166 [Tiffani] What part of the chicken are we gonna use, Chef? 1608 01:10:12,967 --> 01:10:13,233 -[Aarti] Thigh. -[Tiffani] Thigh? 1609 01:10:14,000 --> 01:10:14,767 OK. Save the neck for me, Clark. 1610 01:10:15,767 --> 01:10:19,000 -[Aarti laughs] -With this short amount of time, 1611 01:10:19,667 --> 01:10:20,667 I have to fry this protein. 1612 01:10:21,834 --> 01:10:24,367 And so if I'm doing fried chicken, I instantly think of 1613 01:10:25,500 --> 01:10:27,867 gravy, and that's a great place to put a lot of pepper. 1614 01:10:28,800 --> 01:10:30,100 And because black pepper gravy is a thing. 1615 01:10:31,200 --> 01:10:33,767 Black pepper roux rocking, we love that for a gravy. 1616 01:10:34,934 --> 01:10:36,633 [Crista] I just remember with holidays, my family always 1617 01:10:37,667 --> 01:10:39,266 making like some beautiful, lovely sweet, right? 1618 01:10:40,166 --> 01:10:41,266 And there was always like a royal icing 1619 01:10:41,800 --> 01:10:43,033 or a yummy frosting. 1620 01:10:44,000 --> 01:10:46,266 So the cream is like heavy cream steeped with 1621 01:10:47,467 --> 01:10:49,767 this rosemary that I put in the toaster, the orange peel, 1622 01:10:50,934 --> 01:10:53,266 pink peppercorns in the cream, and then like let it rip. 1623 01:10:54,400 --> 01:10:56,467 I want it to be like snow, like a ski slope, like just 1624 01:10:57,266 --> 01:10:59,533 falling down this warm Bundt cake. 1625 01:11:00,500 --> 01:11:00,867 Which is, again, perfect for the holidays. 1626 01:11:01,166 --> 01:11:02,000 Yeah. 1627 01:11:03,200 --> 01:11:06,567 Antonia and Alex, I mean like the most feared competitors 1628 01:11:07,467 --> 01:11:08,100 in the competition, right? -[Aarti] Yeah. 1629 01:11:08,600 --> 01:11:10,467 But we're scrappy. 1630 01:11:11,700 --> 01:11:14,266 [Aarti] Every time I think, "Oh, I'm not gonna finish this. 1631 01:11:15,066 --> 01:11:15,467 I'm not gonna get it done either." 1632 01:11:16,400 --> 01:11:17,667 How could I even possibly build a dredge? 1633 01:11:18,667 --> 01:11:19,266 "Oh, Crista's building the dredge, OK, great." 1634 01:11:20,533 --> 01:11:21,166 [Crista] They also have a fire in the station, but we're good. 1635 01:11:23,767 --> 01:11:25,834 Do I wanna put any of it in your gravy and just let it 1636 01:11:26,834 --> 01:11:27,133 hang out in there for a minute? -[Aarti] Sure. 1637 01:11:27,834 --> 01:11:29,033 -Sounds great. -[bell dings] 1638 01:11:33,333 --> 01:11:34,467 I'm like, "Oh, the sweet potatoes. 1639 01:11:35,166 --> 01:11:35,667 "Maybe I just need to nix it. 1640 01:11:36,533 --> 01:11:38,333 "No way they'll get cooked. OK, uh... 1641 01:11:39,467 --> 01:11:40,433 Crista has them, and they're in the food processor, OK." 1642 01:11:41,133 --> 01:11:43,100 It was like you were in my head. 1643 01:11:44,166 --> 01:11:45,000 -[Curtis] Yeah. -Well, and I can't believe you did 1644 01:11:46,100 --> 01:11:48,767 all of that, and then you baked a freaking Bundt cake. 1645 01:11:49,767 --> 01:11:50,867 [Crista] There it is. 1646 01:11:54,567 --> 01:11:56,567 When the chicken floats, it's ready. 1647 01:11:57,567 --> 01:11:57,867 [Guy] What are we doing with the potatoes, Chef? 1648 01:11:58,667 --> 01:11:59,467 -That's the mash? -That's my mash. 1649 01:12:00,500 --> 01:12:02,266 I'm really wanting to make Robuchon potatoes. 1650 01:12:03,033 --> 01:12:03,367 [Guy] Is that heavy cream, Chef? 1651 01:12:04,100 --> 01:12:04,333 [Antonia] That is heavy cream. 1652 01:12:05,467 --> 01:12:06,533 It's TOC, so I always kinda like go for it. 1653 01:12:07,367 --> 01:12:08,667 The first medium was using the ricer 1654 01:12:09,233 --> 01:12:09,767 and then going to tamis. 1655 01:12:10,567 --> 01:12:11,567 That's where she just gets the best 1656 01:12:12,200 --> 01:12:12,867 mashed potato you'll find. 1657 01:12:14,133 --> 01:12:15,533 [Antonia] I've done enough TOC to know that game-play matters. 1658 01:12:16,767 --> 01:12:18,767 And when you see something on the board like whole chicken, 1659 01:12:19,600 --> 01:12:21,433 that means giblets. It means liver. 1660 01:12:22,266 --> 01:12:23,266 It's the whole chicken for a reason. 1661 01:12:24,200 --> 01:12:25,133 -Just that chicken-liver gravy. -Yes, Chef. 1662 01:12:25,600 --> 01:12:26,100 -Got it? -Got it. 1663 01:12:26,967 --> 01:12:28,734 For me, peppery is not driving the bus. 1664 01:12:29,900 --> 01:12:32,467 I don't want the dish to be overwhelmingly like pepper. 1665 01:12:33,033 --> 01:12:33,934 Toasting the peppers. 1666 01:12:35,000 --> 01:12:35,867 [Antonia] This needs to be sort of pepper-adjacent. 1667 01:12:37,100 --> 01:12:39,467 So using a little bit of like Korean pepper, using a little 1668 01:12:40,400 --> 01:12:41,867 bit of Aleppo pepper, using black pepper, 1669 01:12:42,767 --> 01:12:43,967 and then using actual physical peppers. 1670 01:12:44,834 --> 01:12:46,000 Chop them, added some acidity to them. 1671 01:12:47,233 --> 01:12:48,333 A little bit of white balsamic, a little bit of red wine then. 1672 01:12:49,333 --> 01:12:49,834 You know, when you eat fried chicken, you want 1673 01:12:50,500 --> 01:12:50,967 a little bit of that relief. 1674 01:12:51,734 --> 01:12:52,767 We are in the final ten minutes. 1675 01:12:53,600 --> 01:12:55,266 -Ten minutes to go. -You good, Alex? 1676 01:12:56,867 --> 01:12:58,667 [Alex] My ice cream is butter. 1677 01:12:59,633 --> 01:13:00,133 I go to check my ice cream, and it's, like, 1678 01:13:01,166 --> 01:13:02,266 a little liquidy. Like, I can't make a scoop for 1679 01:13:02,934 --> 01:13:04,166 the sandwich, and I know it. 1680 01:13:04,433 --> 01:13:05,333 OK. 1681 01:13:06,233 --> 01:13:07,266 OK. 1682 01:13:08,033 --> 01:13:09,367 The margins are so slim on TOC. 1683 01:13:10,467 --> 01:13:11,867 The wind can be by one point. It can be by a sliver. 1684 01:13:12,900 --> 01:13:14,033 Am I allowed to use the other ice cream machine? 1685 01:13:14,667 --> 01:13:15,133 I'm like, "You know what? 1686 01:13:16,200 --> 01:13:17,367 I'm gonna lose this whole thing with this product." 1687 01:13:18,266 --> 01:13:19,867 I go and grab an orange juice, and I mix 1688 01:13:20,500 --> 01:13:22,033 corn syrup, water, sugar. 1689 01:13:22,934 --> 01:13:23,934 The rest of the base I save, creamsicle. 1690 01:13:24,934 --> 01:13:25,767 [Justin] I think the ice cream might be loose. 1691 01:13:26,867 --> 01:13:27,967 I think we're going for, like, more of a sherbet-y sort 1692 01:13:29,133 --> 01:13:31,033 of ice-creamy creamsicle, if you will, which I think is 1693 01:13:32,133 --> 01:13:34,367 actually a more identifiable use of the Navel orange. 1694 01:13:35,000 --> 01:13:35,433 [Antonia] You good, Alex? 1695 01:13:36,433 --> 01:13:37,100 I just made an orange creamsicle ice cream in 1696 01:13:37,867 --> 01:13:39,166 the other ice cream machine. -OK. 1697 01:13:40,000 --> 01:13:41,033 -Great. -[Alex] If it works, it works. 1698 01:13:41,734 --> 01:13:42,533 [sing-song] Pink peppercorn. 1699 01:13:43,734 --> 01:13:45,567 I buzz the pink peppercorns in the blender, and then I just 1700 01:13:46,633 --> 01:13:47,867 mix it with a little sugar, and I'm thinking snow, 1701 01:13:48,834 --> 01:13:49,433 pink peppercorns, Christmas. -[Antonia] Yeah. 1702 01:13:50,500 --> 01:13:51,233 Chef, the pink peppercorns, where have they gone? 1703 01:13:52,300 --> 01:13:53,266 [Alex] Well, not yet, but black pepper's going in 1704 01:13:54,200 --> 01:13:54,967 my chestnut caramel. -[Justin] Understood. 1705 01:13:56,133 --> 01:13:58,166 [Alex] And then pink peppercorns are gonna go on my sorbet 1706 01:13:58,700 --> 01:13:59,266 if it ever happens. 1707 01:14:00,266 --> 01:14:01,467 Christmas is about believing what you see. 1708 01:14:01,900 --> 01:14:02,867 [Alex chuckles] 1709 01:14:03,700 --> 01:14:04,667 -Fair enough. -[Guy] Three minutes! 1710 01:14:05,066 --> 01:14:05,834 Three to go! 1711 01:14:07,033 --> 01:14:09,367 [Aarti] To plate, I start with a beautiful little mound of 1712 01:14:10,467 --> 01:14:12,100 that sweet potato puree, and then I nestle the chicken 1713 01:14:12,533 --> 01:14:13,133 right on top. 1714 01:14:14,000 --> 01:14:16,567 I finish with a good amount of gravy. 1715 01:14:17,500 --> 01:14:19,133 Biggest concern for me is, did I do enough? 1716 01:14:19,934 --> 01:14:21,934 Did I use the orange enough, right? 1717 01:14:22,600 --> 01:14:23,867 Did I use the pepper enough? 1718 01:14:24,934 --> 01:14:26,233 I know I put the chestnuts in there, but, you know, 1719 01:14:27,033 --> 01:14:27,867 could I have done them another way? 1720 01:14:28,800 --> 01:14:31,166 Is this plate big enough to take out giants? 1721 01:14:31,800 --> 01:14:32,266 [Guy] Two minutes, chefs. 1722 01:14:33,834 --> 01:14:36,066 [Antonia] I feel like I really nailed the randomizer 1723 01:14:36,700 --> 01:14:37,467 and nailed the challenge. 1724 01:14:38,333 --> 01:14:39,667 The potato puree is, like, so luscious. 1725 01:14:40,767 --> 01:14:41,867 Then all of a sudden, the gravy sat down next to it, 1726 01:14:42,934 --> 01:14:44,567 like fried chicken and a little peppered chow-chow. 1727 01:14:45,233 --> 01:14:47,433 -This is great. -One minute. 1728 01:14:48,200 --> 01:14:48,567 [Justin] Chef, are you supremeing? 1729 01:14:49,100 --> 01:14:49,867 [Alex] Um, supremes. 1730 01:14:51,033 --> 01:14:52,867 I go get my caramel-dipped toasted bread, chestnut puree. 1731 01:14:54,333 --> 01:14:56,266 I go get my sherbet out of the ice cream machine that's, like, passable. 1732 01:14:56,767 --> 01:14:57,367 Second ice cream. 1733 01:14:58,400 --> 01:14:59,767 I made butter, so I pivoted and made creamsicle. 1734 01:15:00,700 --> 01:15:02,834 -Chestnut caramel sauce. -Thirty seconds. 1735 01:15:03,934 --> 01:15:04,767 Put the pink peppercorn sugar on top of my sherbet. 1736 01:15:05,433 --> 01:15:05,867 -[Antonia] This? -All of it. 1737 01:15:06,300 --> 01:15:06,867 Use all of it. 1738 01:15:07,633 --> 01:15:08,333 It's red, it's green, it's gold. 1739 01:15:09,000 --> 01:15:09,767 It looks like the holidays. 1740 01:15:10,567 --> 01:15:14,867 [all] Five, four, three, two, one. 1741 01:15:15,500 --> 01:15:17,066 -Done! -[audience cheers] 1742 01:15:20,100 --> 01:15:21,567 Thank you so much. 1743 01:15:22,533 --> 01:15:23,266 We're gonna send you back to your trailers. 1744 01:15:24,266 --> 01:15:25,367 -You get to watch the judging. -[kisses smack] 1745 01:15:26,300 --> 01:15:27,467 [Guy] Let's bring the judges out right now. 1746 01:15:27,834 --> 01:15:29,467 Great job. 1747 01:15:30,433 --> 01:15:31,967 We did say, "On a chicken wing and a prayer." 1748 01:15:32,367 --> 01:15:33,133 [both laugh] 1749 01:15:33,900 --> 01:15:35,166 -We did OK. -I think we did OK. 1750 01:15:36,200 --> 01:15:37,133 I like fried chicken, chestnuts, chicken liver. 1751 01:15:37,834 --> 01:15:38,266 It's gonna be up to the judges. 1752 01:15:38,667 --> 01:15:39,367 Yeah, 100%. 1753 01:15:41,333 --> 01:15:42,734 All right, ladies and gentlemen, for their final round, 1754 01:15:43,767 --> 01:15:44,633 let's welcome back our judges -- the one and only 1755 01:15:45,567 --> 01:15:46,133 Chef Michelle Bernstein. -[audience applauds] 1756 01:15:47,033 --> 01:15:48,567 -Michelle's awesome. -She's a technician. 1757 01:15:49,133 --> 01:15:49,867 [Guy] Chef Ming Tsai. 1758 01:15:51,033 --> 01:15:52,433 -He's tough. -He's tough. 1759 01:15:53,266 --> 01:15:55,233 -[Guy] And Chef Curtis Stone. -Wow! 1760 01:15:56,066 --> 01:15:58,233 -Heavy-hitters. -I love Curtis Stone. 1761 01:15:59,200 --> 01:16:00,367 Curtis is awesome. He's a really good judge. 1762 01:16:01,333 --> 01:16:02,533 -These are great judges. -[Aarti] Now be nice. 1763 01:16:03,800 --> 01:16:06,467 Tonight, the randomizer served up for this final round a whole 1764 01:16:07,033 --> 01:16:08,867 chicken, Navel orange. 1765 01:16:09,867 --> 01:16:13,000 Equipment was a toaster, peppery, and chestnuts. 1766 01:16:14,200 --> 01:16:16,133 Here to present the first dish, take it away, Chef Tiffani. 1767 01:16:17,400 --> 01:16:20,166 Judges, on the right, this is chestnut-coated crispy chicken. 1768 01:16:21,166 --> 01:16:22,867 This is on a rustic puree of buttered chestnut 1769 01:16:23,367 --> 01:16:24,367 and sweet potato. 1770 01:16:25,400 --> 01:16:26,133 Green and black cardamom and the black pepper were 1771 01:16:26,667 --> 01:16:27,533 toasted into a roux, 1772 01:16:28,300 --> 01:16:28,967 creating the whole chicken gravy. 1773 01:16:30,000 --> 01:16:31,667 'Cause nothing says "Christmas" like a Bundt cake, 1774 01:16:32,900 --> 01:16:35,533 this Bundt cake was constructed by first toasting orange zest 1775 01:16:36,233 --> 01:16:37,467 and also buzzing out chestnuts. 1776 01:16:38,467 --> 01:16:39,867 The cream was steeped in toaster-roasted rosemary 1777 01:16:40,567 --> 01:16:41,066 and a little bit of orange peel. 1778 01:16:42,133 --> 01:16:43,567 And pink peppercorn, then finished again with black 1779 01:16:44,133 --> 01:16:45,166 pepper and fresh orange. 1780 01:16:46,066 --> 01:16:48,033 [Guy] Did you breathe during any of that? 1781 01:16:48,400 --> 01:16:49,266 I didn't. 1782 01:16:50,500 --> 01:16:51,734 It's how I talk to my family at Christmas, and then I'm out. 1783 01:16:53,033 --> 01:16:55,467 -I'm happy right now. This is fun. -Yes. 1784 01:16:56,533 --> 01:16:58,567 We have the chestnut, which makes a really great, 1785 01:16:59,300 --> 01:17:00,734 crunchy texture on this chicken. 1786 01:17:01,934 --> 01:17:03,567 I'd love a little more pepper in this, because I wanna be 1787 01:17:04,300 --> 01:17:05,667 like, "Ah," right? With pepper. 1788 01:17:06,767 --> 01:17:09,100 -There's pepper everywhere. -This is a crispy cake. 1789 01:17:10,166 --> 01:17:12,033 It has that lovely orange flavor for the holidays. 1790 01:17:13,166 --> 01:17:14,734 -What a great Southern treat. -That's right, Michelle. 1791 01:17:15,333 --> 01:17:15,867 -Thank you. -Bring it. 1792 01:17:16,834 --> 01:17:18,233 I look at this plate of food, and instantly 1793 01:17:18,934 --> 01:17:19,467 I think of the holidays, right? 1794 01:17:20,567 --> 01:17:21,767 You've got the green, you've got the bright orange. 1795 01:17:22,667 --> 01:17:24,066 I do get different hits of peppery notes. 1796 01:17:25,100 --> 01:17:27,533 As much as I appreciate the chestnut in the crumb, 1797 01:17:28,400 --> 01:17:29,133 a little more would've been something. 1798 01:17:29,667 --> 01:17:30,266 -OK. -[Aarti] Sure. 1799 01:17:31,333 --> 01:17:32,667 I can't believe they got this cake done in the amount 1800 01:17:33,300 --> 01:17:33,867 of time that we gave them. 1801 01:17:34,800 --> 01:17:36,533 The moistness of the cake is right there. 1802 01:17:37,600 --> 01:17:38,767 I don't get a lot of pepper, and I don't get a lot 1803 01:17:39,266 --> 01:17:39,834 of orange. -What? 1804 01:17:40,533 --> 01:17:41,567 -[Curtis] Um... -That's good. 1805 01:17:42,567 --> 01:17:43,166 No one's searching for the orange in your cake. 1806 01:17:43,600 --> 01:17:44,333 Both the dishes 1807 01:17:45,767 --> 01:17:47,834 perfectly executed. -Yes. 1808 01:17:48,734 --> 01:17:51,333 [Ming] The chicken, moist, super-crunchy. 1809 01:17:52,333 --> 01:17:54,266 I wish there were glazed chestnuts on the plate. 1810 01:17:54,800 --> 01:17:56,066 -Agreed. -But again, 1811 01:17:56,934 --> 01:17:57,667 perfectly cooked chicken and a perfectly 1812 01:17:58,600 --> 01:17:59,567 baked dessert. -Let's go to the scorecards. 1813 01:18:01,533 --> 01:18:03,333 You knocked it out of the park, girl. 1814 01:18:04,400 --> 01:18:06,467 [Aarti] Thank you, but we still have to beat them. 1815 01:18:07,567 --> 01:18:09,467 All right, here to present the second team's dish is 1816 01:18:10,400 --> 01:18:11,667 the one and only wild card, Justin Warner. 1817 01:18:12,633 --> 01:18:14,166 With Jack Frost nipping at my nose, I present 1818 01:18:14,800 --> 01:18:15,567 the next round of dishes. 1819 01:18:16,633 --> 01:18:18,834 First up, we have fried chicken with mashed potatoes 1820 01:18:19,367 --> 01:18:20,633 and chestnut gravy. 1821 01:18:21,533 --> 01:18:22,433 Off to the side is a sort of chow-chow. 1822 01:18:23,400 --> 01:18:24,967 You will see chilies, Fresnos, and Serranos. 1823 01:18:25,900 --> 01:18:27,667 All of those were toasted in the toaster. 1824 01:18:28,633 --> 01:18:29,567 No matter what the result, I'm proud of you. 1825 01:18:30,700 --> 01:18:32,367 Moving on to the sweet side, we have an orange and pink 1826 01:18:33,500 --> 01:18:35,834 peppercorn ice cream sandwich with a chestnut caramel. 1827 01:18:36,934 --> 01:18:39,166 You'll find the black pepper in the caramel as well. 1828 01:18:40,367 --> 01:18:44,467 Delicious, right? I love this gravy. 1829 01:18:45,700 --> 01:18:46,834 Even though the livers are so strong, you taste the chestnut 1830 01:18:47,533 --> 01:18:49,166 because of that incorporation. 1831 01:18:50,367 --> 01:18:51,367 I like how they toasted all those chilies, those peppers, 1832 01:18:52,333 --> 01:18:54,033 to make a little relish. Peppery chicken dish. 1833 01:18:55,266 --> 01:18:58,100 I wanna be really spicy right now in my mouth, and it's not 1834 01:18:58,934 --> 01:18:59,967 quite there. -We're happy about this. 1835 01:19:00,567 --> 01:19:02,033 Yes, it's [laughs]. 1836 01:19:03,166 --> 01:19:04,567 -Remember whose team you are. -This is not your dish. 1837 01:19:05,200 --> 01:19:07,166 -This dessert... -Loves it. 1838 01:19:08,367 --> 01:19:10,166 Thirty five minutes, this chef, whoever you are, he or she, 1839 01:19:11,166 --> 01:19:12,367 this is a delicious dessert. -You murdered it. 1840 01:19:13,367 --> 01:19:15,100 Orange, orange, orange. I love seeing supremes. 1841 01:19:16,033 --> 01:19:17,867 I think this is a huge hit, this dessert. 1842 01:19:19,367 --> 01:19:21,467 You did it, you did it. 1843 01:19:22,467 --> 01:19:24,967 I am impressed with this chestnut liver sauce. 1844 01:19:25,400 --> 01:19:26,266 It's beautiful. 1845 01:19:27,266 --> 01:19:28,367 I was just telling Ming on the way here that... 1846 01:19:28,934 --> 01:19:30,033 -Ow. -...moving over 1847 01:19:31,066 --> 01:19:33,367 to the pastry, it would've been nice to see them 1848 01:19:33,934 --> 01:19:35,333 actually bake something. 1849 01:19:36,600 --> 01:19:39,967 It could use a little bit more spike in citrus, and the pepper 1850 01:19:40,900 --> 01:19:41,767 is fun, but I need a little bit more pepper. 1851 01:19:42,800 --> 01:19:44,266 There's literally a dusting of pink peppercorns 1852 01:19:44,767 --> 01:19:45,667 all over the top. 1853 01:19:46,533 --> 01:19:47,000 We're giving them a run for their money. 1854 01:19:47,400 --> 01:19:48,000 Yeah, 100%. 1855 01:19:48,900 --> 01:19:50,100 Fried chicken is not easy to get right. 1856 01:19:50,800 --> 01:19:51,567 In fact, it's quite difficult. 1857 01:19:52,600 --> 01:19:54,133 This is super-crispy, and it's perfectly juicy. 1858 01:19:55,266 --> 01:19:56,834 Over here on the dessert side, if you're gonna call it 1859 01:19:57,800 --> 01:19:58,133 an ice-cream sandwich, you gotta eat it like 1860 01:19:58,700 --> 01:19:59,467 a sandwich, and it did. 1861 01:20:00,700 --> 01:20:02,166 Of course, when something's frozen, it inhibits the flavor. 1862 01:20:03,000 --> 01:20:03,767 And the same goes for orange, right? 1863 01:20:04,967 --> 01:20:05,867 If you want this to be really orange-y, you probably gotta 1864 01:20:06,300 --> 01:20:06,934 reduce it down. 1865 01:20:07,967 --> 01:20:08,967 But for the most part, it's absolutely delicious. 1866 01:20:09,533 --> 01:20:10,734 -They're hard. -Yeah. 1867 01:20:11,500 --> 01:20:12,633 [Guy] Fantastic. Thank you, judges. 1868 01:20:13,333 --> 01:20:13,867 Scorecards are in front of you. 1869 01:20:14,600 --> 01:20:16,667 -I don't think we won. -Really? 1870 01:20:17,500 --> 01:20:17,834 No. And I think you better start to 1871 01:20:18,500 --> 01:20:19,166 wrap your head around that. 1872 01:20:20,033 --> 01:20:20,367 I don't wanna wrap my head around that. 1873 01:20:21,166 --> 01:20:22,367 -Can we just wait? -[Alex] We can. 1874 01:20:23,500 --> 01:20:25,967 I think it's a lot closer than I thought it would be. 1875 01:20:26,533 --> 01:20:27,000 You know what I mean? 1876 01:20:27,800 --> 01:20:28,467 [Guy] Chefs, thank you very much. 1877 01:20:29,667 --> 01:20:33,467 Michelle Bernstein, Ming Tsai, Curtis Stone, job well done. 1878 01:20:34,166 --> 01:20:35,066 I mean, we could. We could. 1879 01:20:35,767 --> 01:20:36,333 I wanna win it so bad, though. 1880 01:20:37,533 --> 01:20:39,667 It's time to tally up the scores and bring the chefs back in. 1881 01:20:41,633 --> 01:20:42,834 [Aarti] Thank you for doing this with me. 1882 01:20:43,834 --> 01:20:44,367 -Thank you for doing this. -You were the best. 1883 01:20:45,100 --> 01:20:45,767 -[Antonia] OK. -[Alex] Come on. 1884 01:20:46,333 --> 01:20:47,000 Big round of applause... 1885 01:20:48,166 --> 01:20:49,667 -[audience cheering] -[Guy] Crista Luedtke, 1886 01:20:50,133 --> 01:20:50,834 Aarti Sequeira. 1887 01:20:52,333 --> 01:20:55,000 Alex Guarnaschelli, Antonia Lofaso. 1888 01:20:55,567 --> 01:20:57,133 [tense music playing] 1889 01:21:01,934 --> 01:21:04,367 The scores are in for the judges, and here they are -- 1890 01:21:05,600 --> 01:21:11,367 One team scored a 40 out of 50 points in savory and a 39 out 1891 01:21:12,133 --> 01:21:15,867 of 50 in sweet for a score of 79. 1892 01:21:17,000 --> 01:21:22,166 The other team scored a 40 out of 50 in savory and a 39 1893 01:21:22,867 --> 01:21:25,467 out of 50 -- there was a tie. 1894 01:21:26,166 --> 01:21:27,467 [audience continues cheering] 1895 01:21:28,500 --> 01:21:30,567 First off, let's just hug it out here real quick. 1896 01:21:31,000 --> 01:21:31,667 [Aarti laughs] 1897 01:21:32,767 --> 01:21:34,533 So, when we come to this type of tie, whichever team 1898 01:21:35,433 --> 01:21:37,867 would have a higher taste score would win. 1899 01:21:38,734 --> 01:21:42,166 There was a tie in the taste of sweet. 1900 01:21:43,066 --> 01:21:47,333 Therefore, the deciding factor will be... 1901 01:21:48,533 --> 01:21:53,567 the score of taste in savory. I wish both teams best luck. 1902 01:21:56,166 --> 01:21:59,266 The difference in savory was half of a point. 1903 01:22:00,233 --> 01:22:02,266 -[dramatic chord plays] -[audience] Oh. 1904 01:22:03,367 --> 01:22:06,533 The winner of the battle between Team Antonia and Alex 1905 01:22:07,333 --> 01:22:08,166 versus Team Crista and Aarti is... 1906 01:22:08,734 --> 01:22:10,266 [dramatic music builds] 1907 01:22:18,333 --> 01:22:19,633 [Guy] Antonia and Alex! 1908 01:22:20,133 --> 01:22:21,734 [audience cheers] 1909 01:22:30,367 --> 01:22:34,266 You gotta say, it's not a win tonight, but that's about 1910 01:22:35,200 --> 01:22:37,433 as photo-finish as it can come. -Thank you. 1911 01:22:38,333 --> 01:22:40,133 -We feel like we won. -[audience cheers] 1912 01:22:41,033 --> 01:22:43,033 Chef Crista, Chef Aarti, great first round. 1913 01:22:44,000 --> 01:22:46,133 -[Crista] Go get 'em, guys. -Bye, everybody! 1914 01:22:46,767 --> 01:22:49,033 -Woo! -Merry Christmas! 1915 01:22:52,967 --> 01:22:54,934 -I mean. -[laughs] I don't know what. 1916 01:22:56,200 --> 01:22:58,100 -Like, if we were gonna lose... -There's no better way to lose. 1917 01:22:58,967 --> 01:22:59,667 -That's -- that's -- yeah. -Seriously. 1918 01:23:00,467 --> 01:23:01,633 -Seriously. -Congratulations. 1919 01:23:02,467 --> 01:23:04,667 -You've won the first round. -Barely. 1920 01:23:04,967 --> 01:23:06,166 Barely. 1921 01:23:06,900 --> 01:23:08,166 Let's go ahead and take a look. 1922 01:23:09,233 --> 01:23:12,467 Going up against Tobias and Marcel, who earlier took 1923 01:23:13,300 --> 01:23:14,867 down Shirley and Sherry. -We saw that. 1924 01:23:15,867 --> 01:23:16,767 A lot more first-round competition that's gotta 1925 01:23:17,700 --> 01:23:18,734 happen before we get into the second round. 1926 01:23:19,767 --> 01:23:20,767 And I'll tell you what, you're one step closer to 1927 01:23:21,567 --> 01:23:22,166 being the champs. Congratulations. 1928 01:23:22,533 --> 01:23:23,166 Thank you. 1929 01:23:23,934 --> 01:23:25,467 Chef Alex, Chef Antonia, well done. 1930 01:23:25,900 --> 01:23:26,467 First-round win. 1931 01:23:27,033 --> 01:23:28,567 [glorious music playing] 1932 01:23:30,166 --> 01:23:32,066 Barely. Close the door. 1933 01:23:33,000 --> 01:23:33,533 We're not going back out there for a while. 1934 01:23:34,500 --> 01:23:35,100 We are leaving before they change the score. 1935 01:23:36,100 --> 01:23:37,000 We are leaving before they change their mind. 1936 01:23:37,967 --> 01:23:38,533 So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. 1937 01:23:39,734 --> 01:23:43,266 But we still have ten more powerhouse duos who are anxious 1938 01:23:44,233 --> 01:23:45,533 as a couple of kids at Christmas morning for 1939 01:23:46,233 --> 01:23:47,166 their holiday quest to begin. 1940 01:23:48,400 --> 01:23:50,433 You've gotta join us next time when six more teams step into 1941 01:23:51,233 --> 01:23:54,133 the arena in ho-ho-hopes of becoming 1942 01:23:54,967 --> 01:23:58,266 the $100,000 Christmas winners. Adios. 1943 01:23:58,767 --> 01:24:00,367 [audience cheers]