ICYMI: Masterchef Back to Win Recap for 9/7/2022

• Two challenges=Double elimination!

 

• The first challenge is to make a Baked Alaska. I think I only tried it once, but it looks delightful.

 

• I guess they can do their own versions? Shanika is adding lemon and basil flavor to hers, while Emily is using chocolate cake and goat cheese in hers….interesting.

 

• Shanika seems to be falling behind. The judges yelling at her to hurry must be stressing her out to no end.

 

• Dara has experience in making this dessert, but she still realizes things can go wrong. She is very strong and realistic with this challenge.

 

• Michael runs out of meringue, so he tries to make do with that he has…..despite not using the proper technique.

 

• Dara’s peach melba Baked Alaska with vanilla cake and peach ice cream is delicate, soft and delicious. The sponge cake is a bit heavy, but the rest of it hit the jackpot.

 

• Shanika’s strawberry lemon basil Baked Alaska has a bit of a dense cake, but the flavors work well together.

 

• Christian’s praline and bourbon Baked Alaska was delicious in flavor, but the cake was too dry.
• Emily’s goat cheese, cherry and chocolate Baked Alaska is melting all over the place and falls apart, but the flavors work well together.

 

• Michael’s banana’s foster Baked Alaska was not what the judges wanted.

 

• Dara and Christian were the stars of the night. They are safe, as is Shanika.

 

• Michael and Emily are in the bottom two, with Emily being eliminated.

 

• Challenge two consists of the final four cook lobster tortellini–at the same time as Chef Gordon Ramsay.

 

• This dish looks so amazing.

 

• Michael and Shanika seem to be falling behind, but Christian and Dara seem to be staying calm.

 

• Michael seems to be getting flustered and messing up his pasta.

 

• Shanika is panicking as she tries to cut her own pasta.

 

• Christian comparing putting the tortellini to a TikTok dance cracks me up.

 

• Michael’s dish needs more filling and seasoning.

 

• Shanika’s dish is over seasoned and  dry.

 

• Dara’s dish is on par with Chef Gordon Ramsay’s.

 

• Christian’s dish is overstuffed, but is still tasty—despite needing more salt.

 

• Dara is the first to make it into the finale….and made history by being the youngest ever to make it into the Masterchef finale.

 

• Christian is called safe next.

 

• Michael and Shanika are in the bottom two, with Shanika being eliminated.

 

• Shanika is a class act in how she congratulated and hugged Michael.

 

• Hour two!

 

• The finale has begun!

 

• Seeing everyone’s families is so sweet.

 

• Each one will have to make a special three course meal.

 

• It is amazing how they can come up with such intricate ideas so quickly.

 

• Poor Dara’s sauce broke and she doesn’t have time to start over. She is panicking, but trying to get things done.

 

• Michael’s appetizer: cold smoked trout–it looks restaurant worthy, but it needs more salt and the bloodline is still there.

 

• Dara’s appetizer: crispy skin red snapper–the fish is good, but the sauce is a mixed bag with the judges.

 

• Christian’s appetizer: fried green tomato with fish and caviar–it is delicious and magical.

 

• Graham Elliot is in the house! WOOT WOOT!

 

• I assume Graham is judging the entree round.

 

• Again, how do they come up with these dish ideas so quickly?

 

• Every dish sounds amazing, but Christian’s filet mignon and crab cake would be my first choice to eat.

 

• Everyone seems to be doing well, despite being so nervous.

 

• Finale next week, stay tuned!