For this episode’s mystery box challenge, the chefs are presented with a wide assortment of beautiful-looking meats. The protein includes everything from alligator to pork, bison, to beef. Their challenge is to take the meats provided and create a stunning sausage dish for the judges to sample. This would seem like another difficult challenge for Bri but the judges have provided non-meat substitutes such as Tofu.
Everyone during this challenge seems to be in their comfort zone. Not one single chef really seemed to struggle. In fact this is probably the happiest I’ve seen some of the chefs when it came to a mystery box. James and Eddie are especially pleased with the provided proteins. Even Krissi was smiling; something that the judges commented was a very rare sight indeed. The only real hiccup came from Luca when his sausage popped but he was able to quickly recover and make some more.
Three dishes shined above the rest. The first being Natasha’s. She created her own version of a breakfast sausage with bacon and eggs on the side. It looks absolutely delicious and I wanted nothing more than to pull that dish through the screen!
The judges just loved her dish and frankly, I would order this in a heartbeat.
The second dish chosen came from none other than Eddie. As of this episode, he is, to me, the front runner of the competition. He has really shown that he knows his way around the kitchen and can present some amazing meals. Jordon thinks that he can easily take Eddie out but I highly doubt that considering Jordon’s history on the show thus far.
Eddie’s dish was a fantastic looking pork sausage with some purple cabbage and apple chutney on the side.He used pork shoulder, bacon, smoked paprika, and other ingredients to transform his pork sausage into a stellar meal that wowed the judges while proving to the other competitors that he is a serious threat.
The final home cook came somewhat as a surprise. It was none other than Krissi. While she is not on my “I want to Win” list, I was pleased to see her finally being chosen in a mystery box challenge. However, when her name was called, Bri comments to the camera that she believes while Krissi is a fantastic home cook and chef, her negative attitude is what makes Krissi unworthy of being a Master Chef. I would like to take this moment to state that the last time Bri was chosen for the challenge, Krissi just called her a hipster whom she despises. Do you see the difference in attitudes here? I really am fed up with Krissi’s hatred of the other chefs.
Krissi’s meal was an Italian sausage with mozzarella cheese, peppers, and polenta. The judges were all impressed not only with her flavors, but her presentation. Ramsay even stated that the presentation proves that Krissi is getting more serious about being a contender in this competition.
There can be only one and for this challenge that winner would be Eddie. Beside the usual exemption from elimination, Eddie gets to decide what cards the other chefs will be dealt during the elimination round. For this round, the judges are providing Eddie with their favorite ingredients that they use in their restaurants. Joe’s choice was high-grade ham. Graham’s choice was wild mushrooms. Ramsay’s ingredient was shrimp. Eddie chooses the mushrooms.
The judges explain that that Eddie must now choose which chefs will be cooking with fresh mushrooms and which will be cooking with canned, processed mushrooms. Eddie chooses Jordon (because he knows Jordon will over-think the ingredient), Bri, James, and Bethy to utilize fresh mushrooms while Jessie, Natasha, Krissi, and Luca must use the canned mushrooms.
In a surprising twist, it would seem that the cooks who were given the canned mushrooms would out perform those with the fresh. Both Jordon and Bethy ruined their fresh mushrooms to the point where the judges were disappointed in how they turned out. Natasha was able to turn her canned mushrooms into a delicious meal. James’ wild mushroom chowder was seasoned well but it was too heavy and rich for Graham’s taste. Joe found it too salty and mentioned that Eddie scored a direct hit on James. James’ inability to pull back on his ingredients and spices led to his downfall.
Jessie’s canned mushroom risotto impressed Ramsay wheres Luca’s cream of mushroom soup was a bit too thick and he used a bit too much truffle oil. However his seasoning and flavors were there so he was able to keep his neck out of the noose during this round. Krissi made a delicious mushroom cassoulet with eggplant and pancetta. Bri’s dish (which she called “A walk through the forest) used sage mushrooms, goat cheese, and beets. This dish apparently was insulting to Krissi as she snaps to the camera on how much Bri’s “Hippy, save the world, vegan thing” is staring to piss her off. Again proving that Krissi is just a foul, nasty person. Bri’s meal was given very high praise from all the judges.
After the tasting, the judges chose James, Bethy, and Jordon as their worst dishes with Bri and Natasha’s dishes being chosen as the best. Jordon was chosen for turning his fine mushrooms into mushrooms worthy of a can. James for being unable to keep his spices under control, and Bethy for ruining her dish with sesame oil and ginger. Sadly, it would be Bethy who would get the axe. She bids the rest of the chefs a fond farewell.