by Kylene Hamulak

 

"Something Smells Fishy"

 

Our next stop on this journey is Barcelona, Spain, and the chefs are mega excited, at least until the new teams are declared. The city holds memories for several of them. Nookie, for example, spent a year playing poker and Nicole was married there to her (now) ex-wife - this is important information, guys. No, really, it is - obviously these two have spent time in Spain, and that could come in handy. (Disclaimer: I have spent no time in Spain. All facts are courtesy of Google, so correct me if they're wrong.)

 

The Course for Barcelona starts with a challenge to locate the Teleferico de Montjuic, with the first five to get there forming one team. The Teleferico is a cable car that travels, basically, between the railway and the Castle de Montjuic.

 

There's running involved in this task and we all know by now how well Nookie runs. We also, however, know how well Nookie strategizes, and it isn't long before Jenna and Avery join him in realizing that the head start may not be as important as being on a team with people who don't annoy you.

 

Chaz gets to the Teleferico first and is mostly satisfied with his new Red Team of Gary, Nick, John and "unfortunately", Keven. They are given a map to find the Clock Tower where Curtis awaits and wave goodbye to the new Black Team, which is Nookie and the ladies.

 

As they make their way over the port, the Red Team gets their next task: sort, pack and prep three different types of seafood in 25 minutes. Each type is worth a different amount of money, and the team with the most money will win the challenge. By the time Black arrives, the clock has ticked down to about 15 minutes left.

 

I'm trying not to watch to closely because I really have an aversion to fish, but I do learn this: squeezing ink from a cuttlefish is difficult, Avery would rather break down a fish than catch one, and Nookie is really good at butchering the heck out of monkfish. (My favorite line of the episode? "Ass kicking, CHECK!" from Nookie.)

 

Considering they had a ten-minute head start, it's insane that both teams are even down to the wire - or, rather, the ink. In the end, Red wins, 386 Euros to 356. Their Exceptional Ingredient prize? Gambas Rojas (Red Prawns) - "The Truffle of the Sea."

 

Both teams will be taking over the kitchen of Dos Cielos, run by close friends of renowned Spanish chef Jose Andreas. They will be tasked in creating a 3-course menu using the ingredients they worked on at the port and those purchased using the money they earned in the task.

 

When they get to market, Black is all ears as Nookie makes menu suggestions, while the Red team is already arguing. Strategy or not, Nookie is looking pretty smart at this point, despite how much Jenna is annoying him (and me, with all her rolling r's).

 

After their market experience, the chefs are all lounging around drinking wine, which Jenna thinks would be the perfect time to form an alliance. Too bad she tried to form it with Nicole, who was all, like, "You should make sure you stay, I should make sure I stay." Keven, meanwhile, continues to annoy...well...everyone.

 

Arriving at Dos Cielos, the chefs prepare to present their tandem tasting menus. There's some snark between the teams, but mostly they're concentrating on their own dishes. (Second favorite line of the night: "It's almost like I'M the Exceptional Ingredient," Nookie says, in light of his knowledge of Spanish food. It would be pretty arrogant...if it wasn't true.)

 

Diners begin to arrive, and chaos is close to breaking out in the open kitchen. Jenna, managing front of house for Black, is schmoozing the guests in Spanish, while Keven is getting in the way of Red. Chaz doesn't agree with serving the merluza but is (loudly) keeping his mouth shut. Hey Red - no worries, if your oven breaks, Chaz's temper is on the brink of being hot enough to cook whatever you need.

 

Service begins, and this is what our diners thought:

 

First Course:

Chaz (Red) - Merluza Crudo with Gambas Rojas, Lemon Aioli, Squid Ink: Diners remarked that the ceviche was bland, but the aioli was very tasty; at the judges table, the raw merluza is questioned and described as "baby food"

Nicole (Black) - Tapas Trio of Chorizo Croquettes, Merluza Crudo, Stuffed Date Wrapped with Serrano Ham: All the diners enjoy the croquette, and the judges seem disappointed that Red didn't take full advantage of the Exceptional Ingredient

 

Second Course:

Nick (Red) - Monkfish with White Beans, Monkfish Liver Mousse, Chorizo: Good reviews for Nick's dish; all diners (and judges) agree that the mousse is delicious and the monkfish is cooked perfectly

Avery (Black) - Serrano Wrapped Monkfish with Liver, Sauteed Greens, Pan Con Tomate: A disappointing showing from Avery - her dish is criticized for being dry, overcooked, and even burnt.

 

Third Course:

Before dessert is served, Black is having a bit of a crisis - seems the custard did not set enough to be bruleed (is that even a word?). The team compromised by offering a bruleed fig instead, and Jenna isn't happy about the last minute change of menu.

Keven & Gary (Red) - Cava Sabayon, Cake Crumbs, Marconas & Fresh Fruit: Diners liked it, judges called it "simple, but okay."

Liz (Black) - Bruleed (yes, it is a word) Custard With Macerated Fruit: There are some questions about the change in menu (or, rather, the lack of a bruleed custard), and very little is said about what actually made it to the table.

 

As the judges speak to the diners, it appears both teams have their fans, as the results are separated by only two votes. Curtis addresses Red and tells us nothing new, but when he praises the monkfish, Chaz - yet again - acts as though his input made it good. The biggest surprise for

 

Black was that, though it was not executed correctly, the diners did enjoy Liz's dessert.

 

In the end, the locals thought the Black Team did the better job. And Chaz promises that "it's about to go down." Nookie wins immunity for Black, and starts to get concerned that he might be a target.

 

For now, the target seems to be somewhere between Chaz and Keven. Diners hated Chaz's dish, but Keven was largely absent from the front of the house. Keven, of course, chooses Chaz, and Chaz chooses Keven, Nick chooses Gary (wait, what?), Gary chooses Keven, so it comes down to John. John, also, chooses Keven. And Keven, naturally, thinks they're all threatened by him in the competition.

 

Keven is returning to his fiancé.  Next stop for the remaining chefs: Marrakech, Morrocco!

 

 

Around The World In 80 Plates airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)