As much wow factor as there was in this episode of MasterChef, it still came down to another chapter with terrific cuisine going up against culinary travesty.
Paula Deen was featured in a smile-inducing Mystery Box Challenge featuring chicken, grits, hot sauce, bacon, cream cheese and (one of my favorites) jalapeño pepper jelly. With all the interesting southern concoctions possible, you wouldn’t think the one-time one trick pony Frank might get tripped up in the challenge. But not only did he call himself out as the contestant to win the challenge, he indeed and in fact took that contest right out from under everyone else with his chicken roulade with pepper chutney. I had to chuckle when his spicy potatoes gave Paula a start with their fire.
The Elimination Test? A completely different animal all together. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen so much confusion, frustration and chaos in the history of the MasterChef kitchen. David was bouncing around in obvious frustration at team mate Becky’s efforts (funny in that he has little experience with sushi himself), Monti was worrying over her severely lacking sushi making skills and Stacey and Christine fumbled around so much that time worked against them in not allowing Stacey to complete the plate. In the end, shoddy production and missing elements were Stacey’s ultimate downfalls, Japanese cuisine not her forte. (But come on: Who can blame her elimination? This was one hell of a challenge for all the contestants.)
Notes:
Quotes:
“I couldn’t be happier. I love butter, I love Paula Deen, I love Paula Deen with butter …” — David Martinez
“I want to see one of them do the best kick-ass fried chicken I’ve ever put in my mouth.” — Paula Deen
“David’s driving the bus … but he might be driving it off the cliff …” — Graham of David’s directions to Stacey
“The best thing about this plate is perhaps everything is on it.” — Joe commenting on David and Becky’s sushi plate
Clacked by Michael Noble 
on Jul 18, 2012 @ 01:40 EST5EDT
Joe is the star of this show. End of story.
I am on Team Christine. Go underdog!
Team Christine, ftw! I really enjoyed this episode, I think the team concept showed more of Becky’s bitchy side and the judges saw it too.
Bitchy Becky is a boor
Sushi stops Stacey
Frank forges to the front
David is done
Monti might make it
Christine could capture it
It looks like the “dynamic duo” of Ryan & Tali will be back in the kitchen next week, judging by the preview. That’s certainly an interesting twist!
Neither of which were on anyone’s BFF list and with the remaining contestants judging, I don’t think either of them have a chance at reentry.
That being said it will be interesting to see how the “judges” strategize since they will be allowing one person to re-enter the game who could potentially win the competition.
It should be a fun episode to watch.
*POST AUTHOR*
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Oh … that episode is going to be a blast and a half to watch.
The kicker with MasterChef is there’s an unknown factor where the skill set of each contestant resides. Obviously, sushi wasn’t one of those for Stacey. To have one of the ousted reintegrate him/herself back into the competition is a nifty surprise that hasn’t been done on the show yet.
I’m still a tad bitter at the attitude of Ryan from past episodes, so it will be somewhat of a disappointment if he gets back in. But … it’s not about the attitude – it’s whether or not you can cook … something I keep in the back of my head.
That being said, Tali is worthless. Tanya shouldn’t be put back in, either. But … you never know …
The weird thing about Stacey leaving on sushi was that she was in the top 3 (maybe even won?) on a sushi dish — am I remembering this correctly? Maybe she won the advantage one week?
I can’t remember who all it showed in the preview now, but I would like to see either Anna or the cowboy re-enter the competition…I think his name was Mike.
*POST AUTHOR*
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Kim: Yup. Cowboy Mike Hill.
*POST AUTHOR*
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… and with the remaining contestants judging, I don’t think either of them have a chance at reentry.”
I’m not so certain about that, bobC. Follow my logic:
If you were, say, Frank, wouldn’t the satisfaction factor be that much sweeter by inserting Ryan back into the competition only to witness him crash and burn at the very first elimination challenge upon his return?
Revenge is a dish best served cold, after all. And … at times, it’s not enough to stick the knife in – you’ve got to twist it a little bit, too.
I’m pulling for Monti, she’s got that 50’s June Cleaver/Bettie Page look that just keeps pulling me back. And she seems, except for sushi(and how damn lucky was she to be paired with Felix for that) to put out some darned fine food.
But she can’t be real, who has a name like Monti Carlo? :)
*POST AUTHOR*
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Names don’t bother me any longer, bronsont …
… not when you have friends like mine such as Ricky Ricardo. (And no, I’m not kidding …)
I liked Paula Deen and the challenge. Frank choose well who to pair knowing it would likely result in at least one of his main competitors going home. Unfortunately it turned out to be Stacey, someone who has impressed in the past and certainly better than Dave Martinez.
As to the challenge next week, I doubt either Ryan or Tali would make it back on even if they cook decent dishes. It might be tempting to think putting one of them back could psych out someone (like Monti) but it is a double-edged sword if your the one they might also beat out for the remaining spot.
I suspect the twist will be this: Okay you have just selected (fill in name) but there is a problem. In order for that person to stay one of you has to go. So get down here for the elimination challenge to determine which of you will go (Becky, David, Christina, Monti or Frank). Hoping for David to go. His sushi prep was awful.
As I recall, Stacey won the dessert challenge (her Italian trifle) making her team captain (and selector of all the teams) in the food truck challenge. The losing team was Anna, Monti, Stacey, and David. Anna lost the pressure test.