by Todd Betzold

 

The auditions wrap up tonight on MasterChef and then the Top 36 compete in a MasterChef Bootcamp in hopes of being named to the Top 18 and make their way into the MasterChef Kitchen. Who do you think will make the cut?

 

Stacey from Apple Valley, California kicks for the auditions for Day 3. She plates New York Strip Steak Espresso Crust with Chimichurri Sauce. Joe asks where her inspiration of cooking comes from. Chef Ramsay says not a whole lot going on on that plate. It is just charred steak and vegetables. Chef Ramsay is a no, Graham says he is a yes and Joe says he can't reward ambition, so he is a no and she goes home without an apron. However, they all go and re-taste it after she leaves. Joe comes out and tells Stacey he changed his vote and she gets her apron.

 

Rami, a car salesman from Texas, thinks he has the X Factor (wrong show Rami). He is very arrogant as he makes Scallops Florentine over Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Puree. Graham says he likes the idea he had, but the scallops may be a little overboard. Chef Ramsay asks if he has peaked? Joe doesn't want to get sold a lemon, so he is a no. Graham thinks there is a lot of passion, so he is a yes. Chef Ramsay tells him to get real and gives him an apron, as his scallops were perfect.

 

There are a few homecooks left and there are still MasterChef aprons available. Who will get them? We take a quick look at four of those homecooks, with the judges split on all four of them. In the end, none of them make it and get sent home disappointed.

 

That brings us down to the final homecook to audition, David. He makes Pescado with Poblano Atole. During the tasting, David breaks down and starts crying. He is trying to prove that good things come from the ghetto. Joe tells him to pull it together and Chef Ramsay says he needs to plate it because everything is slopping around in the bowl. Joe said he is a big yes, Graham says he is a yes and so is Chef Ramsay. David is the final homecook to get an apron.

 

We are now down to the Top 36 and one step away from the Top 18 and the homecooks making it to the MasterChef Kitchen. The homecooks are facing their first MasterChef challenge and half of them will go home. That challenge will be cooking up ground beef. The pantry behind them has everything they need to make their dish. They have 60 minutes to turn their two pounds of ground beef into an amazing plate.

 

The contestants all head to the pantry and I am still curious to see how Christine, the blind contestant, will do in these challenges. She does have Cindy, her guide, there to help her out. Christine tells Cindy what ingredients she wants and she gets them for her, but Christine cuts and makes the dish herself. We also have the husband and wife, A.J. and Anna, here competing against each other to make the Top 18 now.

 

The judges walk around talking with the contestants, tasting what they are cooking and chatting to get better ideas of what their plates will be. With five minutes left, the contestants rush to make sure their plates are perfect to present to the judges.

 

Based on what the judges have already tasted during the 60 minutes, they divide the contestants into three separate groups and no one is sure what is going on. They call up two groups of 12. One group has impressed them so much that they are going straight to the Top 18, one group has proved they are way over there head and will be going home. The group going straight through to the MasterChef Kitchen includes Stacey, who barely made it through to this round, but was saved after Joe re-tasted her food, and Josh, the 7-foot tall contestant. The group of 12 heading home includes Joel, the soldier with hopes of opening his own restaurant.

 

That leaves us with the final group of 12, who all get called forward with their dishes. Joe then asks four people to step forward: David Mack, A.J., Anna and Tanya. They call David up first, who made Italian Beef Taco with Eggplant and Bolognese Sauce. Joe said the flavors are good, not a bad idea. Chef Ramsay said he could have done something more exciting. Next up is Anna, who made Beef Stuffed Onions with Raisins, Toasted Walnuts and Horseradish Crème. Joe said it is interesting. Chef Ramsay said it does work, but he wants more color. A.J. is next and he made Orecchiette Pasta with Broccoli Rabe and Fennel Meatballs. Graham said there is a nice little spice and he did a good job. Joe said it was a nice idea, but kind of bland. Tanya is the last of the group to come up and she made a Persian Kebab with Red Onion Pickle Salad and Fried Eggplant. Chef Ramsay said it is bold and very you and asked if she can step out of that comfort zone of Persian food.

 

After some discussion, the judges ask David and Tanya to step forward. They both are going on to the MasterChef Kitchen. That leaves husband and wife left. Joe tells them to say their goodbyes, because there will be a separation, but who will stay and who will go? I think Anna is moving on! The person going home alone is A.J...Anna moves on to the MasterChef Kitchen.

 

The next group they call forward are Christine, Bubba, Monti and Nandini. Christine is called up first and I so hope she makes it! She makes a Thai Basil Beef with Rice. Graham says the flavors are very complex, but the beef is almost dried. Joe said the beef and the basil have enough flavor for the rice. Next up is Bubba, who makes Ranch Stew with Corn Bread Topping. Chef Ramsay said the corn bread is quite nice. Joe says flavorful, but simple. Nandini is next and she makes Beef & Spinach Curry with Israeli Couscous and Potatoes. Graham says everything is cooked properly, but doesn't scream out with flavor. Chef Ramsay says the flavors are good. Last up for this group is Monti, who makes a Beef Roll with Greens and Almonds and she is hoping they don't vomit. Graham says the beef is delicious. Chef Ramsay says very brave, loves the technique and more flavor on the beef.

 

The judges discuss on these four and they ask Monti to step forward and she has a spot in the MasterChef kitchen...yay for her! Graham then tells Bubba and Nandini to step forward and the MasterChef Kitchen has proved too much for them and they are heading home. That leaves us with Christine (please let her make it) and she makes it to the MasterChef Kitchen. I am so freakin' excited for her.

 

Time for the last four to step forward: Courtney, Rami, David and Sheri. Courtney comes up first and made Spaghetti Bolognese. Chef Ramsay says brave mood. Graham said the pasta is done well, but the sauce is sweet. Rami is next and made Grape Leaf Patty with Cucumber Yogurt and Pickled Vegetables. Chef Ramsay says the beef is gray and gone off color. Joe says it is bold and confident, but conceptually it's a little bit stretched. Next up is David and he makes Faux Bone Marrow made from Beef and Potatoes with Roasted Vegetables. Chef Ramsay says smart idea, but vegetables undercooked. Graham said the beef and the potatoes work well together. Last up for this group is Sheri, who makes Roasted Eggplant stuffed with Garlic mash and Beef with a Tomato Butter Sauce. Joe asked if she tasted the raw eggplant. Graham said his favorite part of the dish is the tomato sauce.

 

The judges discuss the final four and ask Courtney to step forward. He is an opera singer and that was his swan song, as he is sent home. Sheri is then asked to step forward and she is also sent home. We are down to Rami and David. One will make it and one will go home. David isn't going back to the ghetto, as he joins the rest of them moving forward to the MasterChef Kitchen and Rami is going back to selling used cars.

 

We are now down to our Top 18 and one of them is the next MasterChef. Who do you think it is???

 

The Top 18 take control of the MasterChef Kitchen tomorrow at 9/8c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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