MasterChef – More desserts do in another contestant

How in the world does one get offered a big, juicy T-bone steak as part of a Mystery Box challenge … and completely ignore it? It’s almost blasphemous.

But that’s exactly what Becky decided in this first portion of the competition between the Top 13 hopefuls: She decided to wave off the steak. That takes balls.

Instead, she cooked a peach. And got away with it. Still, it was the steak which ultimately won the challenge; Tanya’s Tarragon creation won her that honor. But still … to turn your back on a T-bone …

But Becky’s incredibly bold move was nothing the height of ambition against some of the drudgery the chefs concocted with the Judges’ Favorite Desserts challenge that would send one contestant packing.

Between Joe’s tiramisu, Graham’s shortcake and Gordon’s trifle, there was quite a range in the Elimination contest for the remaining 12 contestants. (Note: Tanya’s steak got her the pass on having to participate. Go, her.) Which also meant there was plenty of room for dessert screw ups.

First: How do you screw up a strawberry shortcake? Sure … it’s easy for me to sit back and plunk out words to review about what came out my cathode ray tube (*waits in anticipation for any comment that’s surely forthcoming*), but … it’s freakin’ strawberry shortcake! Outside the ruining of the shortcake itself (which Scott ended up doing spectacularly), it’s rather difficult to fudge such a simple dessert. But that’s exactly what Christine did in minimizing her strawberries to a practically non-existent state. Who does that?!? Again: It’s freakin’ strawberry shortcake! “Strawberry” is in the name of the dessert! Kind of hard to miss! And, in a switch-up, Tali actually showed he could come up with an interesting idea putting together a foamy filling for his shortcake dessert, something which surprisingly won Graham over.

But forget about the lack of strawberries. It was Scott’s over-working of his shortcake dough that end up getting the best of him and earning him a one-way ticket toward the MasterChef exit.

Notes:  

• I’ve had more than a few servings of tiramisu in my time on Earth. Never with macadamia nuts, however. You don’t get adventurous with a traditional tiramisu. And I love macadamia nuts.
• Not only do I like ballsy moves (above macadamia nuts notwithstanding), but I like them even better when they garner a winning result. Case in point: Stacy’s “Italian trifle” with balsamic vinegar. “Bold move … great job” per Gordon.
• Frank may not be a one trick pony after his performances on this chapter of the show, but he still can’t help showing off the Italian in him. Graham noted his tiramisu looked like “a little lasagna.”
• Meek-as-a-mouse Monti (at least when it comes to challenges where she’s not in a team atmosphere) was surprised by Gordon’s reaction to her winning trifle. The girl needs to hold her head up and gain a little more confidence going forward. How? I have no idea …
• … but her lack of confidence is nothing compared to Felix and her consistent flow of waterworks. That girl needs to buck up.
• What? I can’t have the character Strawberry Shortcake as the title image on my post when strawberry shortcake was so prominently featured in this episode? Who made you the boss of me?

Quotes:

“This is really good …” — Graham to Tali on his strawberry shortcake
“Thank God …” — Tali

“This is the first time I’ve ever made a tiramisu.” — David to Joe as Joe samples his dessert
“That’s pretty apparent.” — Joe

“You were trying to show off and it beat you in the ass.” — Joe to Becky regarding her trifle

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Jun 27, 2012 @ 01:00 EST5EDT