by Kylene Hamulak

 

"Cry for Me Argentina"

 

With only one challenge standing between the chefs and the finale competition, pressure and tension is high as they travel to South America. As the previous challenge's Most Valuable Chef, Avery is given the chance to pick her partner as the chefs are split into two teams of two. She chooses her old partner Nookie based on his previous smart playing tactics, but John notes that the three of them are basically just waiting for Liz to give them an opportunity to cast her off.

 

When they arrive in Buenos Aires, they're quickly setting off for The Rincon Norteno Empanada Shop to discover the first task in The Course. Well, maybe "quickly" isn't the best word to use, since, as Avery and Nookie point out, the two slowest runners (them - Red Team) are on one team, with the two quick players (John and Liz - Black Team) on the other. It's true, but it's also true that being slow hasn't really hurt Nookie too much up to this point.

 

John and Liz do make it first, where they learn that the first task is to make and sell 80 empanadas to the locals. Both teams seem to think they have the advantage in the competition (Red has experience with large numbers of people, Black knows how to make calzones), and there is playful banter in the kitchen.

 

And then? Liz burns the empanadas. She just...didn't check on them "in a little while." Nookie (predictably) heckles John a little bit about it, but I'm actually in disbelief that such a rookie mistake (you know, one I would make) could happen in the final four of a competition like this.

Red easily completes their 80 empanadas by the time Black is about halfway done, and they receive their next instruction - sell 150 pesos worth of empanadas to the locals in Parque Rivadavia. As Avery wheels the cart of empanadas to the park, I'm getting really nervous that it's just going to topple over.

 

They make it to the park without incident, but once there, they're surprised that no one is interested in buying from them. Black decides they're going to sell theirs at two for five pesos, and they're quickly outselling Red, making up for their lost time. When Red realizes this, they do some quick calculations. Unfortunately, as smart as Nookie is, he initially left the math to Avery...and neither of them realized they'd been overcharging for their empanadas. At this point, however, they're only 30 pesos short, so Nookie sells the entire remaining inventory to a vendor to complete the task before Black.

 

With their 150 pesos, Red locates the guy who has their next direction - travel to Puerto Madero to find Cat and Curtis. As they board the train, Nookie describes it as being from Hogwarts, and they get increasingly frustrated as it takes forever to transport them. Black, meanwhile, has taken a taxi to their destination, and by the time both teams get there, it becomes a race on foot - which Nookie, SOMEHOW, wins again.

 

The teams learn that they will be taking over La Tranquera, one of the city's most well known parrillas, to serve a family style Argentine meal - two appetizers and two meat dishes, one of which must be cooked asada style. The Red Team's Exceptional Ingredient will be the chance to work with an asador - "grill master" - to learn how the Argentinians grill their meat.

 

Both teams are treated to dinner at La Tranquera where they discuss the plan for the meal. From the very first challenge, Nookie has been a player who could manipulate any of his competitors into following his plan, and as the meal progresses, this task is no different. Liz is committing to doing a "boring" empanada (according to Nookie), while John is considering a salad dish that Nookie isn't threatened by either.

 

After Black leaves dinner, Red is treated to their time with the asador, who teaches Avery how to put a goat onto an iron cross, which will be placed in, as Avery put it, a fiery dungeon of meat. I passed out at some point for a moment watching the process, so I apologize if I missed anything important.

 

You know how I know I passed out? I imagined that Nookie was telling us about this dream he had where Liz was a whale and ate him and Cat and Curtis. Wait...what? You're telling me he actually DID tell us that? Oh. I stand corrected then.

 

Anyway, as The Takeover begins, Avery says that she fears people are underestimating Liz, especially because she's willing to take on the empanadas again after burning them the day before. It's a valid concern - Liz knows she's battling an alliance with the other three, and she's hoping to rise to the challenge.  As service begins, Liz, who is also running front of the house, is the first one up.

 

Liz (Corn and Chorizo Empanadas with Watercress Salad): The diners love her empanadas, even asking for the recipe. Curtis notes that if the shop down the street sold empanadas that tasted like those, he'd be there a lot.

 

John (Roasted Vegetables with Provolone Cheese and Eggplant Puree): John's dish gets less stellar reviews. It's not that it tastes bad, but the diners don't think it's particularly Argentine in the way it was prepared or the composition of what it's made of.

 

Nookie (Skirt Steak with Grilled Onions and Chimichurri): Nookie's dish also meets some criticism from the judges. They're concerned that it's overcooked and should be rarer, and also note that the sauce was broiling on the serving platter.

 

Avery (Roasted Goat with Chimichurri and Roasted Red Pepper Salsa): After some initial anxiety over the heat in her grill, Avery is very happy with the goat she is serving. She's not the only one - the judges and diners are all impressed with her first attempt.

 

When Cat and Curtis meet with the chefs, it's clear that the empanada and goat were the favorites of the diners. Unfortunately for the alliance, the empanada earns the top prize. Liz is voted Most Valuable Chef and is safe from elimination.

 

Avery, Nookie and John deliberate and all have their own strategies for who to vote off. John decides to base it off the last dish and votes for Nookie. Nookie votes for John, leaving the final vote up to Avery. She chooses John, based on previous performance. She wants the challenge of defeating the best.

 

So the final three - Nookie, Avery and Liz - are off to the final destination: Uruguay!

 

 

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

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)