‘MasterChef’ season 14 episode 12 and 13 recap: Who was eliminated in ‘Tag Team/Storm’s a Brewin”? [LIVE BLOG]
Tonight on “MasterChef,” the 12 remaining chefs work in pairs and switch off cooking back-and-forth during the infamous tag team challenge. Later on, the contestants are given only 45 minutes to prepare a restaurant quality dish that features coffee, and Chef Gordon Ramsay kicks off the challenge with a demonstration of his own espresso-infused dish in the all-new “Tag Team / Storm’s a Brewin'” two-part episode of “MasterChef: Generations” airing Wednesday, August 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
Season 14 of “MasterChef” brings together amateur cooks from four generations – Millennials, Baby Boomers, Gen Z and Gen X – to prove that age does not matter in the kitchen. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, Joe Bastianich eliminated contestants each week until one winner is crowned with the title of MasterChef and the $250,000 grand prize.
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8:00 p.m. — Previously on “MasterChef”! In Episodes 10 and 11, reigning MasterChef Champion Grant Gillon joined as Guest Judge while the chefs incorporated the iconic beer, Blue Moon, into their dishes and ensured that the bright flavors were at the forefront of their creations. Later on, the chefs took on another field challenge as they were tasked with cooking a hearty lunch for over 100 workers. Following the beer challenge, Gen Z contestant Fatima sent home. Following the field challenge, Gen X-er Arthur was shown the door as well. Who will go home tonight?
8:05 p.m. — The remaining 12 chefs walk into the MasterChef kitchen for the classic tag team challenge. Not only that, Gordon reveals that from now on it’s everyone for themselves. They aren’t cooking alongside their generation any longer! In this tag team challenge, the pairs will be making four different dishes. It’s the toughest tag team challenge ever. For the appetizer they’ll make Gen Z King Trumpet Mushroom “Scallops,” followed by a Millennial Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, a Gen X Pan-Roasted Filet Mignon and a Baby Boomer Crepes Suzette with Chantilly Cream. As the winning team captain last week, Rebecka chooses the teams as follows:
Warren & Hallie
Daniela & Horacio
Murt & Kamay
Jeet & Adam
Michael & Kimberly
Rebecka & Becca
The two home cooks that make the best dishes of the night will BOTH earn immunity pins. One cook from the worst team will be eliminated. The chefs have 75 minutes to make a feast for the ages. The clock starts now!
8:30 p.m. — This challenge starts cordially, but you just know someone’s gonna blow a gasket soon. As time ticks down, everyone will only become more stressed as this challenge progresses. The first personalities to clash are Murt & Kamay. Kamay has a strong voice and she’s a bit of a control freak. Murt is all over the place and hates being told what to do. Rebecka was smart pairing these two together. Gordon says Horacio “has no idea what’s going on” and it seems like the judges are just waiting for the first opportunity they have to eliminate him. Later, Gordon scolds Jeet & Adam as the only team to not have either of their proteins cooking. He’s baffled that they haven’t started their filet yet, thinking it should already be resting. There’s only 20 minutes left! Meanwhile, Kamay is frustrated as she is forced to remake all the sauces that Murt started. They’re a disaster. Rebecka admits her partnership with Becca is not the “dream team” she imagined and complains about Becca “barking orders.” Rebecka admits, “I’m used to being the one that barks the orders.” Maybe she shouldn’t have chosen the girl who reminds her of her younger self. With 10 minutes left, Horacio screams for a medic. Apparently he cut himself. Luckily the final switch happens and he’s done cooking. The last chefs finish the final touches and plate each dish as time expires.
8:34 p.m. — Everyone’s dishes will be tasted tonight, starting with Hallie & Warren. Their trumpet mushrooms are nicely seared and taste delicious. Joe calls it “spot on.” Their crusted tuna is overcooked and not evenly crusted, but it tastes delicious. The filet mignon has a great sear and is beautifully medium rare, but the sauce is slightly over-reduced. The crepes look good, but they’re missing the chantilly whipped cream. Overall, these two were a success.
8:38 p.m. — Next up are Horacio & Daniela. The trumpet mushrooms are missing the vinaigrette so they’re a little dry. The Brussels sprouts are alongside the tuna, but they should be with the filet. At least the tuna tastes delicious. The filet is also perfectly cooked, despite being with the wrong garnish. The crepes are missing the sauce and also missing whipped cream. Even so, the crepes taste delicious and Horacio is weeping with pride. Despite tasting good, Joe is extremely annoyed that they mismatched the garnishes.
8:40 p.m. — Next up are Kamay & Murt. Murt admits they have different cooking styles and struggled. They forgot to plate the kale and they didn’t even cook Brussels sprouts. Yikes! Visually, everything is a mess. The mushrooms are missing the vinaigrette and taste woody. The tuna and mash are cooked well, but missing the kale. The tuna is bland. The filet is overcooked and under-seasoned. The crepes looked rushed and there’s no whipped cream. These two are a complete disaster. Aarón says the crepes look like his kid’s socks.
8:45 p.m. — Next to the judging table are Jeet & Adam. The trumpet mushrooms are undercooked and under-seasoned. The tuna is so overcooked it looks like “canned tuna.” Aarón calls the sauce a disgrace. The filet mignon looks “hammered” and is missing the sauce. Gordon says it looks like a hockey puck. The crepes are too thick and absorbs all the sauce. Joe says it’s like “eating a kitchen sponge.”
8:47 p.m. — Next up are Michael & Kimberly. Gordon compliments them for having four cohesive dishes featuring every ingredient. The trumpet mushrooms look “stunning” and they’re seasoned beautifully. The tuna is cooked perfectly and the mash is creamy and rich. The filet looks delicious and is a beautiful medium rare. Aarón calls the sauce “compelling” and “delicious.” The crepes are the first to have whipped cream with them and taste great. Easily the top team of the night.
8:54 p.m. — The final duo to be judged are Rebecka & Becca. The mushrooms are undercooked and the tuna is uneven. The mash lacks wasabi. The filet is unevenly seared, but seasoned nicely. The crepes are a touch too thick, but all the elements are there.
9:00 p.m. — The judges deliberate and have made their decisions. The winning team is Michael & Kimberly, who both walk away with an immunity pin and a big advantage in the next challenge. The losing team is Adam & Jeet, but the home cook leaving the competition is Jeet.
9:05 p.m. — The top 11 home cooks return to the MasterChef kitchen for their next challenge. They’ll have to make a restaurant-quality dish featuring coffee. The winner of this challenge earns the final immunity pin of the competition. Now remember, both Michael and Kimberly are safe, so only nine chefs are cooking in this challenge. Before everyone begins, Gordon gives. a quick demo. Talk about a master class!
9:10 p.m. — Following Gordon’s demonstration, Joe tells the contestants they have 45 minutes to cook their dish and the judges want to see coffee used in at least two different ways. Now for the twist! As the winners of the last challenge, Michael and Kimberly will choose three home cooks that will have to cook dessert tonight with coffee. They choose to take their shots at Adam, Rebecka and Becca. Their 45 minutes starts now! Most excited for this challenge is Daniela, who says coffee is a staple in her Mexican heritage. She is ready to make a top dish for the first time this season.
9:25 p.m. — For religious reasons, Becca has never and will never taste coffee. And now she has to make a dessert with it. Luckily, she won the last baking challenge so hopefully she can pull off something great. Rebecka is seriously struggling for the first time in this competition, and with just 22 minutes remaining she has to start her pastry over. She screams up to the balcony, “You’re sending me home tonight!”
9:45 p.m. — Time expired and the judges walk around the kitchen to scope out the best and worst dishes. First they’ll call forward the best of the night, beginning with Kamay’s Coffee-Rubbed Lamb Chop with Couscous, Coffee-Spiced Carrots and Port Cherry Coffee Reduction Sauce. Gordon compliments her plating and the cook on the lamb is beautiful. Joe says the coffee is integrated perfectly. Next up is Murt’s Deconstructed Stuffed Pepper with Coffee-Infused Hanger Steak, Coffee Corn, Avocado Crema and Cilantro Rice. Gordon says the steak is “spot on” and calls the idea of this dish “clever.” Aarón compliments the depth of flavor, while Joe says it’s not “sophisticated,” but it’s “a crowd-pleaser.” The third top dish is Warren’s Coffee-Crusted Veal Chop with Parsnip Puree, Coffee-Roasted Cabbage and Red Wine Coffee Reduction Sauce. The veal is a tad over medium rare, but delicious. Aarón compliments the mushrooms and Joe says the cabbage is “a little bit tough,” but overall a good job. After a quick deliberation, the judges decide the winner of this challenge is Kamay! She will have immunity for the next challenge.
9:55 p.m. — The first dish at risk of elimination is Rebecka’s Coffee Custard Crinkle Cake with Chocolate Coffee Sauce. Joe says Rebecka’s ambition got the better of her, but the flavor is good. Aarón says the fact that the coffee came through so much saved a lot of mishaps. Joe says, “It’s just not that good.” Next is Adam’s Coffee Panna Cotta with Coffee Liqueur-Poached Pear, Mascarpone Cream and Coffee Liqueur Syrup. He’s in tears as he presents his dessert. The panna cotta is not set properly, but the flavors are there. The poached pear is beautifully done, but the cream is sloppy. Aarón says it’s hard to get around so many technical problems. The third chef in the bottom tonight is Daniela’s Coffee-Crusted Chicken Breast with Mole-Inspired Sauce and Patty Pan Squash. Gordon says “it looks swamped.” The chicken is undercooked and basically inedible. Aarón says the mole is raw and needs much less chocolate. Joe says the chicken is “gross” and the mole tastes like a milkshake of “cappuccino and sand.”
10:00 p.m. — The judges deliberate and decide the person leaving MasterChef is Daniela. She’s heartbroken, but says, “I have had the time of my life.” She thought life was downhill from here, but now she realizes “it’s just starting.”
Launch Gallery: 'MasterChef' season 14 cast: All 20 home cooks competing in 'Generations'
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