by Todd Betzold

 

My jaw dropped last night when Ryan Umane was sent home on MasterChef. I never thought he would go home this early in the competition, but the competition isn't over. We have another Mystery Box Challenge and Elimination Challenge tonight. Who will survive and who will be the next homecook to turn in their apron?

 

The homecooks arrive in the MasterChef Kitchen and it is time for another Mystery Box Challenge. Cowboy Mike wants steak and he gets what he wanted, a T-Bone Steak. There is also corn, watermelon, peach and many others. Hey, I don't know if you heard, but they mentioned it like a million times...the ingredients are all from Wal-Mart and cost only $15. They have 60 minutes to make their dish.

 

The judges make their way around to see what the homecooks are coming up with. Becky is making a dessert, which the judges say is a ballsy move. Tali has 10 minutes has a cold steak and it doesn't look good for him. The time is winding down and Christine doesn't have anything on the plate and gets it together in the end. Time runs out and the judges take one final look to identify three outstanding dishes.

 

The first dish is Frank, who made Grilled T-Bone Steak with Corn, Slaw and Cream Sauce. Chef Ramsay said great sear on the T-Bone and it is a bloody good dish. Graham said he would do a touch more acid. Joe said it looks and tastes like he had the whole MasterChef Pantry at his disposal. The second dish is Tanya, who made Tarragon T-Bone Steak with Braised Cabbage and Corn Puree. Graham said you keep cooking and seasoning like that and you are going to go far. Chef Ramsay said she took $15 worth of ingredients and made a $40 dish. The third dish is Becky, who made Caramelized Peach with Peaches and Cream Puree. Joe said your cook on the peach is top notch. Graham said it is beautiful because of its simplicity.

 

The judges discuss the three dishes and the winner of the Mystery Box Challenge tonight is Tanya. She gets to join the judges in the pantry and is in control of the Elimination Test. The theme of the Elimination Test is the judges' favorite dessert. Joe's favorite dessert is tiramisu, of course. Graham's favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake. Chef Ramsay's favorite dessert is a British trifle. All three desserts will be served, Tanya will not be cooking tonight, so she is safe from elimination and she gets to choose what chefs will be making what dessert. The worst one in each dessert will be the bottom three and one will go home.

 

They come back to the MasterChef Kitchen and Tanya heads up to the gallery to watch the homecooks do their magic tonight. They have 60 minutes to make the judges' favorite desserts. For the British trifle, it will be Josh, Stacey, Becky and Monti making that. For the Strawberry Shortcake, it will be Scott, Mike, Tali and Christine. For the Tiramisu, it will be Felix, David, Anna and Frank.

 

The homecooks head back from the pantry and start cooking. Monti is pumped to take on the tri-fold. David is feeling confident, but Joe said he turned it into cream cheese. For the trifle, Becky did not get enough gelatin and she tries to borrow some from Stacey, who has no extra. Chef Ramsay asks Monti where the sponge is in her trifle, which she figures are lady fingers...who knows? For the shortcake, Scott is not making the biscuits proper and overworking the dough. Monti then starts a fire, which doesn't look too good for her. Time is running down and the homecooks plate their desserts.

 

Time for the judges to taste the desserts and the Tiramisu is up first. Felix is first and Joe said it is so disappointing and asks if she knows what is going on. Graham said you show more finesse than anyone in the kitchen and this is terrible. Chef Ramsay said way too sweet and it looks as sad as she does. Anna is next and Joe said she did a good job with her layering and it's great. Frank is next and Graham said it is really pretty and super balanced. David is next and Chef Ramsay said the whole idea of tiramisu is to pick me up and you tore me down. Joe said it looks kind of gross and he wishes he could send him and Felix home.

 

Next up is the British Trifle and Josh is up first. Joe said it is a bowl full of cream and no fruit. Graham said it doesn't have the beautiful layers. Monti is next and Chef Ramsay said it is delicious and to stop being so nervous. I guess the fire didn't stop Monti...get it girl! Stacey is next and Chef Ramsay said it is delicious and a smart, bold move. Graham said super-balanced and the layers are there and definitely delicious. Becky is next and Joe spits it out and said it is gross and an embarrassing dish he wouldn't recommend eating. Chef Ramsay said he thinks Tanya played this one absolutely right. Graham said its strong possibility she could go home.

 

Next up is the Strawberry Shortcake and Mike is up first. Joe said it was elaborate and not done well. Christine is next and Chef Ramsay said it is good, but he is struggling to find the strawberries, since she put blackberries in it as well. Tali is next and Graham said it is really good and one of his best. Scott is next and Chef Ramsay said he thought this one was going to come out great. Joe said it is over-dense and the whip cream is too sweet.

 

The judges discuss and come back and tell Stacey she had the best dish of everyone, so she will be a captain next week. The three worst homecooks for the desserts are Felix, Scott and Becky. Becky said there are two worst dishes then hers and she is safe. Scott is headed home, so Felix is safe tonight.

 

MasterChef airs on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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